June 19, 2007 (Reykjavik, Iceland) -- Ossur, a trusted and global developer of more scientifically advanced prosthetic innovations than any other company in the field, is pleased to announce that its PROPRIO FOOT is the winner of the Gold 2007 Medical Design Excellence Award, in the category of rehabilitation and assistive technology products. The PROPRIO FOOT features several unique proprietary technologies that we are proud of, said Hilmar Janusson, global vice president of R&D. It is gratifying that our research and development team, which is also responsible for such novel products as the Unloader One Osteoarthritis Knee Brace, is receiving this recognition.

The PROPRIO FOOT, the latest in Ossurs Bionic Technology platform, is the worlds first motor-powered and intelligent prosthetic foot, a seamless fusion of electronics, mechanics, and human physiology that reduces the energy patients spend in reacting consciously to the environment. The foot replaces muscle function that was lost due to an amputation, enabling amputees to perform normal, functional activites by:

• Sensing. Knowing where their foot is in space is a huge safety issue for amputees. Sophisticated sensor technology mimics the bodys own neural receptors that are sensitive to mechanical change, providing artificial proprioception (that sense of where the limb is in space). Hence the name PROPRIO FOOT.
• Thinking. Patented artificial intelligence (AI) processes information from the sensors and activates the most appropriate response for the next step.
• Acting. The AI transmits a constant stream of signals which instruct high-precision actuator technology to act and deliver optimal function. Expertise in real-time motion analysis for the foot was provided by Canadian company, Dynastream.

The Medical Design Excellence Awards competition is organized and presented by Canon Communications LLC (Los Angeles) and sponsored by Medical Device &
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Contact: Beverly Millson
beverly@missingsock.com
310-399-7599
Ossur
19-Jun-2007