David Dennis, a part-time resident of Steamboat Springs, approached the third grade with an amputation of his right leg below the knee.
The selective amputation in December 2018 followed the initial injury caused by Lisfranc midfoot fracture in 2007 and required four titanium screws for fixation. Unfortunately, 10 months after the operation, Dennis was diagnosed with a staphylococcal infection, which transferred to the bones of his midfoot, causing his ankle to sag. He spent many years in pain, including five hospitalizations.
With 25 years of his second home in Steamboat, Dennis became an investor in Steamboat medical device company Click Medical five years ago. As the retired CFO of a large healthcare company, Dennis is an advocate for the company's adjustable kits, which can improve the fit of prostheses for people who have lost limbs. Ironically, Dennis is now also a Click Medical patient, and his custom calf prosthesis uses an adjustment kit made by Click.
"When I invested in this company, I didn't know that I would become a user of the product," he said.
Dennis, 72, is one of the patients looking forward to using the latest design upgrade of the dial-based tightening and loosening system released by Click Medical on October 1. This technological improvement is called Click Reel, which can help patients make micro and macro adjustments of prosthetic devices quickly, easily and conveniently. The goal of the redesign is to improve the safety and ease of use of orthotics and prostheses.
Dennis said he is happy to upgrade his prosthetic adjustment kit, which will allow him to gradually tighten and loosen the fit.
Click Medical employs 9 full-time employees in its Steamboat office to provide designs and equipment to help amputees around the world lead a more comfortable and active life. Jen Howland, vice president of sales and marketing for Click Medical, said the adjustment kits are sold to clinics and prosthetics in 41 countries and are included in Click's three core products, RevoFit, RevoSurface and RevoLock.
Prior to the launch of the new product this fall, Steamboat resident Jimmy Capra was the co-founder and CEO of Click Medical. He worked with Seattle-based advanced research and design consulting firm IDealogy for two years, including the testing phase. Experts say that the more patients can perfect the fit of the prosthesis in one day, the better, because the size of the body part changes according to the level and type of activity.
"Adjustable prostheses and orthopedic devices increase patient satisfaction and their lives by enabling them to provide daily self-care," Capra points out.
The redesign includes an elastic mechanism for custom prostheses that can quickly tighten loose lace and then automatically switch to power mode to provide a fine-tuned fit. Howland explained that the technology includes a clutch that can create the best fit according to the user's needs.
She said that with more incremental adjustments, the device can make the patient's circulation more comfortable and safer. Click Reel also has a 33% lower profile to better fit the clothes.
Patient and retired Army Staff Sergeant. Dave Gardner (Dave Gardner) of Springville, Utah has been wearing an under-knee adjustable prosthesis since he was injured in Iraq. This army veterinarian is an avid hunter and has been using artificial limbs for 14 years.
Gardner is positive about the benefits of the new Click Reel to improve the fit and comfort of the device.
"I like being able to adjust my socket in both directions," Gardner said. "Every time I sit down or drive, I loosen the socket slightly, which makes everything different. It's simple, but it's changing lives."
Click Medical was established in 2014 as a medical equipment spin-off company based on Steamboat-based Boa Technology. Boa Technology developed dial adjustments for entertainment, such as snowboard shoe laces.
Howland said Click Medical also sponsored the Denver range of motion project by donating the company's adjustment kit to a non-profit organization that is committed to providing high-quality prosthetic care to underserved people in places such as Ecuador and Guatemala.
In addition to the Click Medical adjustment device, Dennis's prosthesis also includes a "smart ankle", the user can remotely adjust the ankle angle via a smartphone via a Bluetooth connection. Today, he has relearned how to play golf, can ride a recumbent bicycle in the gym, and can take his dog for an easy mile walk around Steamboat.
Dennis believes that the market for high-tech prostheses has been expanding as people with disabilities strive to stay active.
To contact Suzie Romig, please call 970-871-4205 or send an email to sromig@SteamboatPilot.com.
Steamboat and readers around Routt County made the work of Steamboat Pilot & Today possible. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to provide high-quality, locally relevant news.
Now, your support is more important than ever and can help us educate the community about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and its impact on the local area. Every contribution, no matter how big or small, will make a difference.
Each donation will be dedicated to the development and creation of more news reports.
On the mid-night drive from Craig to the UCHealth delivery center at the Yampa Valley Medical Center in the south of Steamboat Springs, the first pregnant mother Caroline Riley had contractions three minutes apart.
Start immediately and apply for manager-waiter-chef-bartender-souce chef in person at 2-4pm on any day
The pizza shop in Brooklyn is accepting applications from PT/FT pizza manufacturers to provide drivers with PT counters to help with competitive wages, meals, tips, annual...
Are you looking for a school schedule with excellent welfare opportunities? The Steamboat Springs School District is looking for a school...
Social worker consultant, intervention expert, assistant professional food service director, bus driver substitute teacher
$23.09-$24.72/hr Online application: www.co.routt.co.usDeadline: 2022EOE January 31
Sit in the driver's seat to admire the beautiful state of Colorado, with a flexible schedule. The starting price for CDL drivers is 22.50 USD/hour, and the starting price for non-CDL drivers is 17.50 USD/hour, plus tips...
A housekeeper is needed. Full-time positions throughout the year. Work 5 days a week. $19.00 per hour plus start. 3 considerable seasonality...
Including: Rental Techs Delivery Driver Bootfitters Retail Sales-Hardgoods-Ski and Boots-Softgoods-Clothing & Accessories up to $20/hour...
North Routt Fire Rescue is pleased to announce part-time and full-time job vacancies for Firefighter/EMT. 20.00-25.00 USD per hour (45,600-52,000 USD)...
Sheraton Steamboat Resort Villas is hiring! Start-up bonus for a full-time position of $1,000 Bell Waiter/Welcomer-$17 + Tips Entertainment Waiter-$17 Welcome Center/PBX...
Our family-run boutique hotel is looking for full-time or part-time: shuttle driver, kitchen help, housekeeping service, please call Julie: 970-879-2600
Help individuals and families find recovery and team members find satisfaction. Work-life balance, professional growth, competitive salary, good benefits, PTO + Sick Pay
Full-time customer service FT/PT, full benefits, competitive salary Steamboat Springs Inquiries: nramberg@ssced.com
The beautiful Homewood Suites by Hilton Steamboat Springs is currently interviewing/hiring front desk, breakfast waiter,...
Yampa Valley Bank is hiring! Learn from the best people, support Yampa Valley, and start your banking career today! Steamboat branch...
Long-time locals are looking for the ranch manager and caretaker who lives in the valley. A lot of livestock experience, construction...
Experience and skills: An accounting degree with a certified public accountant license is preferred. Strong attention to detail and implementation require strong Excel skills. Alteryx users have bonuses. ...
Applicants should be friendly, efficient, and detail-oriented team players. Provide employee benefits.
Watch Steamboat Pilot & Today announce the winners of the 2021 Best Boat Award.
Steamboat Resort, with 5 trails, 20 acres of land and hundreds of eager smiles, opened on Saturday, November 27th.
Air bubbles rising from the surface of the rain puddle on the edge of the wellhead casing may notice leaks at the oil and gas drilling site.
Hayden-One night, when Lane Iacovetto was browsing her Facebook feed, she saw a video that she found interesting.
The staff is calculating the date when the new Sleeping Giant school on the west side of Steamboat Springs will be completed, and there will be more than a week before the grand opening on August 23.
Do not sell my personal information
Winter Park-Granby-Grand County