HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014 07-31 Tillges Certified Orthotic Prosthetic Inc. — Committed to Serving Patients with the Most Advanced Technology Available MDNEWS4/25/2016
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Tillges•Orthotic• Committed to
Serving Patients with the Most Advanced Technology
Available
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When the call came in requesting a prosthetic evaluation, Robert "Bob” Tillges, CPO, FAAOP
and founder of Tillges Certified Orthotic Prosthetic Inc. (TCOP), went to the hospital himself to
meet with Aaron Holm, who had lost both legs above the knee in a roadside accident.
Photo: Steve Tillges, CPO, fitting a transradial prosthesis on TCOP patient Justin
"I spoke with representatives from five different prosthetic companies,"
Aaron recalls. "Only Bob asked to look at my legs. He explained that if
needed to go back into surgery to prepare my limbs for prostheses,
he'd rather I went back in right away, before I healed. That made sense
to me. I was fortunate. When Bob saw my legs, he said, `I can definitely
work with that."'
TCOP views early evaluation with the patient and surgeon as a critical
factor in successfully fitting patients with the right socket.
"Our first priority with new patients is to evaluate the overall body and lifestyle," Bob says. "We recognize that for
many of our clients, there is a life beyond activities of daily living. We work to understand their goals, objectives,
occupation and activity level. Some individuals are avid soccer players, hunters, fishermen, gardeners or dancers.
Others may love to read, play cards or enjoy board games. This understanding is critical to serving patients with
the products that will best support their lifestyle. It is equally important for us to maintain a comprehensive
understanding of available products."
Today, Aaron is a member of the TCOP staff. As he strode through
TCOP's headquarters in Maplewood, introducing MD News Minnesota
to the rehabilitation gym, designed for amputee patients to support and
encourage each other through therapy, and the spacious workshop
where prosthetics and orthotics are custom -fabricated, his own
prostheses were impossible to detect.
Bob Tillges founded TCOP in 1992, after successfully managing two
orthotic and prosthetic facilities. TCOP's first facility was a modest 1,800
square feet. Today, the flagship location is 13,000 square feet, with
additional locations in Woodbury, Minneapolis, and 10 outreach clinics
throughout Minnesota and western Wisconsin.
The company employs 51 healthcare professionals, with all
practitioners certified by the American Board of Certification in
Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics. Three of Bob's sons — Mike, Steve
and David — have joined him in his practice. The family is planning ahead to serve the next generation of patients
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with the most advanced technology available, including products developed at their new technology company,
Tillges Technologies, LLC. In addition, TCOP is helping to advance the orthotic and prosthetic field through
education of resident physicians, physical and occupational therapists, orthotic and prosthetic practitioners and
technicians, and other allied healthcare professionals.
"Our services range from prosthetics, orthotics and pedorthics to mastectomy and compression garments," Bob
explains. "Specialization in the most advanced technology is the core of our business. Recent years of combat war
escalated investment in prosthetic and orthotic technology. There are now hundreds of different prosthetic and
orthotic options. Our knowledge of available products for upper and lower extremity clients is cultivated by the
frequency with which we are invited to clinically assess new products in development."
TCOP's academic research and product partnerships in the industry have earned the company a reputation for
offering innovative anatomical socket designs and the most advanced technology available.
M.A.S. Socket: A New Option for Above-the-knee Amputees
Tillges Certified Orthotic Prosthetic (TCOP) patient Sara, walking with her
temporary transtibial prosthesis for the first time.
The design of the M.A.S. Socket, a lower -limb socket, is anatomically shaped to
lock onto the bony structure of the body while controlling femur stability. Skin -
friendly materials and lower trim lines allow better range of motion, significantly
increased comfort, and a pleasing cosmetic appearance that is not visible through
tight -fitting clothing.
"We want above-the-knee amputees to be able to cross their legs without irritation
in the groin area," Bob explains. "We want them to be able to freely bend over in a
sitting or standing position. Some socket designs are too rigid to allow that, but the
flexible plastics and design of the M.A.S. Socket improve comfort so that patients
can perform these motions."
EMS Socket: Greater Control for Maximum Range of Motion
Another socket technology TCOP uses is the EMS socket, a dynamically activated, vacuum -managed,
multisurfaced, flexible inner socket system. The socket is covered with tiny nubs that increase linkage between the
residual limb and socket by 400 percent compared with any other socket design available.
"We generally fit it with an elevated vacuum system that maximizes patient outcomes in all activities of daily living,"
explains Mike Tillges, CPO. "This design increases circulation, creates a better link to the limb and improves
proprioception with the prosthesis. All of these factors improve the prosthetic fit and function and make it feel
lighter, while maintaining a healthier limb and skin."
High -Fidelity (HiFi) Socket: A Biodesign Reproducing the Natural Motion of Bone
The newly developed High -Fidelity (HiFi) Socket is distinguished by the intrinsic bone stabilization it provides. The
design locks onto the bone, improving anatomical stability. The original technology was developed for above -elbow
amputees, to provide the stability to anchor the weight of elbow and hand prostheses with microprocessors,
batteries, and motorized wrists and fingers. HiFi technology then moved from upper to lower extremity. TCOP has
been offering HiFi Socket technology since 2012 and is currently the only licensed company in the Twin Cities to
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offer it.
"Using clear plastic diagnostic sockets allows for a visual examination of the residual limb to identify problem
areas," Bob explains. "We look for areas of no contact or too much pressure. We've fit hundreds of these sockets,
converting many patients from earlier sockets into this design without a single failure. The results increase
performance, control, stability, range of motion, function, comfort and provide a much lighter feeling in both upper
and lower extremity prosthesis for the amputees."
A Range of Prostheses for Every Activity
TCOP patient Troy and employee Aaron play a game of basketball.
Once a socket is fitted, it can be used with a number of different types
of prosthetic componentry. There are special components for
swimming, biking, mountain climbing and scuba diving. In some cases,
different prosthetic components can be used with the same socket.
"Attaching different prosthetic componentry to the same socket adds
weight," Bob says. "This may be fine for the everyday recreational
runner, but a competitive runner wants to reduce weight. For that
patient, we will build a customized running leg with its own socket. We
love it when our patients challenge us. I am currently designing a
unique prosthetic leg for a horse lover who wants to ride again. I'm
going to use the HiFi Socket to make that happen for her."
The i -limb Ultra Prosthetic Hand: Looks and Moves like a Natural Hand
This microprocessor hand is the only prosthetic hand able to gradually increase the strength of its grip. Each finger
has its own motor control. Using the muscles in the residual limb, the wearer can open and close the hand, rotate
the wrist, and execute a variety of pinches.
"You can hold a finger down on an object and shut the rest of the fingers to operate a computer," Bob says.
"Another motion allows you to operate a key in a lock or start a car. You can also increase or decrease the speed
movements. Patients can perform tasks like grabbing an iron, taking something from the refrigerator, or using a
cooking utensil — actions that are part of normal daily living skills.
Custom Carbon Fiber Partial Foot Prosthesis: Improving Gait for Partial Foot Amputees
When individuals lose part of a foot, the effect on their gait can be drastic. TCOP uses a partial foot prosthesis
offering two features that transform patient gait.
"The prosthesis is fit to the patient's lower limb and provides the missing toe lever to give back balance, stability
and the patient's third rocker in gait," explains Steve Tillges, CPO. "Also, the carbon fiber design includes a flexible
strut that runs up the back of the leg to give better push -off and propel the patient into their next step. With the
dynamic torsion motion in the foot as you push, and the strut flexibility, this prosthesis provides an anatomically
correct gait that is second to none. Patients are able to navigate uneven terrain, ramps and curbs with a
remarkably natural walk."
PressureGuardian: A Revolutionary Advance in Wound Care
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Custom fabricated off-loading AFO with PressureGuardian WiFi module. To learn
more, visit piressuregu«:iirdiarn„c,oirm.
TCOP's active participation in early stage product development prompted the
creation of Tillges Technologies, LLC. One of the most exciting advancements
they've introduced is PressureGuardian, a product combining sophisticated,
instantaneous pressure load measurement with a compatible app that collects and
stores data. PressureGuardian is able to help clinicians manage their patients'
diabetic wounds with astonishing results.
"PressureGuardian uses a Wi-Fi module system that communicates through an
Phone or Pad,” Mike explains. "We developed an app to monitor pressures on
diabetic pressure ulcers instantaneously while the patient is wearing a custom
brace designed by TCOR Guided by these measurements, we are able to ensure
proper off-loading of the ulcer to heal the foot, save the limb and prevent
amputation in many instances."
TCOP has used this product on diabetic patients struggling with wounds that have not healed for years, despite
multiple surgeries and hospital stays. PressureGuardian is able to advance the healing process of these
challenging wounds along with improving patient compliance.
The technology is now being updated to create up to a four -sensor lead.
"This advance will enable us to monitor up to four sites on the body instantaneously," Mike says. "The sensor can
be placed anywhere on the body to monitor pressures and prevent wound recurrence."
PressureGuardian technology can also be used to measure pressure loads inside prosthetic sockets and orthotic
devices during fitting. PressureGuardian verifies the off-loading of pressure through static and dynamic testing,
and ensures that sockets and orthotic braces are fit correctly, with total contact pressure distribution.
"Our exceptional and experienced staff is key to TCOP's success and growth," Bob says. "Our mission has always
been to maintain a high level of excellence and commitment to quality care. We've grown large enough to provide
an extensive variety of services, yet continue to maintain a pleasant, family -friendly atmosphere. Our staff is
focused on helping each patient achieve their goals by listening, learning and collaborating as a team.
TCOP's staff members are all certified through the American Board of Certification.
"Reclaiming your lifestyle with an amputated limb can be challenging, but we have the expertise and the
technological resources to guide our patients to success," he adds. "We educate our patients and prepare them
psychologically and physically for rehabilitation. We believe in early intervention and have individuals on staff to
support patients in peer-to-peer conversations with other amputees. When our patients support each other, new
amputees realize what is possible and set goals to achieve. The most rewarding part of my job is seeing a patient
stand up for the first time. The patient is so nervous and the family is so excited. And then that first step happens."
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For more information please call 888-221-5939, email lillges@tcopinc.com or visit www.tc0ph7c.com.
Source: MD News August 2014, Minnesota is:.::::diitiioin
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