Medilink

Despite the current global downturn, UK assistive technologies and rehabilitation companies are flourishing and will this year be out in force on the UK Pavilion at REHACARE 2010.

Taking place in Düsseldorf, Germany from 6-9th October 2010, REHACARE is the leading exhibition for rehabilitation, prevention, integration and care and offers UK companies a global platform to showcase their cutting-edge products and innovative technologies.

This year there are 21 companies on the UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) sponsored Pavilion (located in hall 3), 43 at the show in total and there is a real vibrancy of world leading products and unique technologies.

There to support all the companies during the show will be Medilink Yorkshire and Humber (Y&H), the organisation dedicated to the growth of the Healthcare Technologies Sector and Rehabilitation Technologies, and UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), who have provided essential support to the participating companies.

Charlotte Fraser, International Manager at Medilink Yorkshire & Humber (Y&H) and Regional Sector Specialist for UKTI, said: “As the population in the UK and Europe increasingly ages, attention is focusing on the need to provide innovative support through products and services, which enable people to stay at home and reduce the time spent in hospital and in care.”

“As the home of many key scientific and medical discoveries and inventions, the UK remains at the heart of cutting edge developments. With a highly skilled manufacturing base and outstanding research and development facilities, UK companies are at the forefront of the development of innovative assistive technologies for those with special needs and those requiring care.

“This year we have 21 companies on the Pavilion and we hope that visitors find the opportunity to see for themselves why so many UK companies are at the forefront of innovative assistive technologies.”

According to the UK Bioscience & Health Technology Database, the UK Assistive Technologies sector consists of approximately 300 companies, employing just under 4000 employees with a turnover in excess of £500m. These companies design and manufacture a wide range of technologies and one of these innovations being showcased at Rehacare is a pioneering solution that gives electric wheelchair users the ability to control an iPhone or iPod touch via their wheelchair joystick.

The next generation of the iPortal is Dynamic Control's latest solution to help enhance the quality of life of people living with a disability; allowing people with limited hand access to surf the internet, make phone calls, have access to friends and also use the speech assistance functions.

There’s also a diagnostics feature that interprets any problems with the wheelchair and enables clear communication with support services. Displaying the information in real time, iPortal alerts the user to things such as the speed range indicator, compass heading, a seat adjustment indicator and the battery state.

Also on the UK Pavilion will be Clos-o-Mat, who this year will be celebrating their 50th anniversary. Clos-o-Mat - the manufacturer and supplier of the UK’s leading automatic ‘wash and dry’ toilet - understand the average person goes to the toilet up to eight times a day but for anyone with a disability this is a constant challenge.

Thanks to the companies latest developments, this basic function can be done with little or even no help, whether in or out of the home. The company has applied its expertise from 50 years’ working with the less able, to develop and launch new products that meet the individual’s personal needs.

The range, which will all be demonstrated live at the exhibition, includes height-adjustable versions of the all-encompassing Clos-o-Mat ‘wash and dry’ toilets which replaces the need to wipe clean after toileting with an integral douche and drier facility.

Sounding the way for innovation is Soundbeam, who will be showcasing their award-winning musical instrument which uses sensor technology to translate body movement into digitally generated sound and image. The technology is being used in over 4000 schools across 20 countries and is this year being exhibited at Rehacare for the first time.

Experienced exhibitors Experia will also be at the show again to display their sensory equipment, which provides a calming and stimulating learning environment for people of all ages and abilities. The groundbreaking range of IRiS sensory products are designed to suit the bespoke needs of an individual – whatever their age – providing them with an intensive, full body sensory experience.

If you are interested in developing collaborative partnerships or trade links with a UK company or would like to visit the Medilink and the UKTI stand please visit the UK Pavilion in hall 3.