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536 roduct news This feature brings to your attention news from manufacturers of products which may be of use to physiotherapists. The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy has not tested the items shown and its Journal in no way endorses any of the products. Further inquiries should be directed to the manufacturers. Adjustable Chair The Tripp Trapp chair can ‘grow’ with the child who uses it. A distinguishing feature is that the user’s level remains constant, starting in a highchair position as a baby and gradually extending towards the floor as he or she grows. Adjustments are easily made by loosening the retainingscrews and moving the seat and footplates to the required height. A large range of support accessories is available. suppliers: Disability Care Services Ltd, 3 Radley Road Industrial Estate, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 3RY (tel 0235 5233353). Buoyancy Aids The Swimfriend range of jackets, belts, helmets, water joggers and floats are made from closed cell foam. The material is light, buoyant, soft and flexible so that a high degree of comfort is claimed. The manufacturers provide a sheaf of favourable reports from schools and swimming clubs for people with disabilities - mainly stating that the aids gave clients confidence to take advantage of water treatment and play. The material has insulating properties and is covered with vinyl which protects it from sun and salt water. Accidental cuts or slashes can make no difference to the buoyancy; the closed cell structure prevents waterlogging. The jackets and belts have strong nylon buckles with easily grasped fastenings. The aids are not life jackets, however, and should not be relied upon for safety purposes. Suppliers: Swimfriends, 17 Gloucester Way, Chichester, West Sussex PO19 4DL (tel 0243 789402). Puncture Proof Tyres Tyres for manually propelled wheelchairs which cannot puncture have been successful in Britain and are being bought in large quantities abroad, in competition with pneumatic tyres which are all manu- factured overseas. A new development is a 12% in by 21h in size for electric wheelchairs. No maintenance is required and puncture- proof tyres last longer than those with inner tubes. Price: f 19.95. suppliers: Green Tyre Company PLC, Riverside Park Road, Middlesbrough, Cleveland TS2 1UU (tel 0642 223322). Long Reach Gripper The latest model of the Helping Hand features a new type of jaw, which gives a more secure grip on bottles and jars. At the same time it is gentle with fabrics and clothing. A magnetic tip is fitted to all models to retrieve pins and paper clips. The whole unit can be hung up using the shaped trigger, or a clip is available. The manufacturers have been making this device for nearly 30 years and it can be used not only for picking up items but for closing and opening curtains, putting on socks and other clothing, and similar long-reach activities. There are four models - Featherweight, Longreach, Folder and Retainer. Suppliers: The Helping Hand Company, Unit 9L, Bromyard Road Trading Estate, Ledbury HR8 INS (tel 0531 635678). Car Ramp A portable car ramp enables power chair users to transport their chairs without the need to dismantle them, when a suitable vehicle is available. The ramp folds into four when not in use. It has a non-slip surface and universal fittings to fasten to the back of most estate cars, although it can be adapted if needed. Suppliers: Portaramp UK, 2 Leyland Close, Fison Industrial Estate, Thetford, Norfolk IP24 1XA (tel 0842 750186). Backstretcher Patients can start using the Back- stretcher for a short time each day, building up to 2o minutes, and using cushions and towels initially as padding. In the photograph the larger size for professional use is shown at the rear, and a Smaller for patients to use at home is at the front, A convex plinth with two rows of protrub- erenceS to engage the back and accommodate the the Back- stretcher is claimed to release muscle tension. The ‘bumps’ provide localised pressure with a similar mechanism to deep muscle massaae. and the curved shaDe stretches and helps to increase flexibiiity in the spine, shoulders, pelvis and neck. It is approved and used by Marianne Forssell RPT, head physiotherapist of the Swedish Back School. 33276). Price: Large stretch size €89, small stretch size €49. Available from: Enanef Ltd, 63 New Inn Lane, Guildford GU4 7HT (tel 0483 ~~~ Physlotherapy, August 1994, vol80, no 8
