Function; Maintenance - Blatchford ESK+ 4-Bolt Instructions D'utilisation

4 Function

The knee is a uniaxial design comprising a knee pivot connecting a chassis to a carrier. A weight
activated stabilising knee mechanism is housed within the chassis. The stabilising mechanism
has a resilient action which provides limited stance flexion under load to absorb shock loads at
heel strike.
A knee control cylinder sits within this frame assembly, fitted between the chassis posterior pivot
and the carrier distal pivot.
The PSPC cylinder has manually adjustable valves which give independent control of flexion and
extension resistance during swing phase.
The SmartIP control cylinder uses sensors inside the cylinder to monitor walking speed and
automatically adjusts flexion resistance accordingly. Extension control is via fixed adjustment of a
terminal impact damper.

5 Maintenance

Visually check the device regularly.
Report any changes in performance of this device to the practitioner/service provider e.g.
unusual noises, increased stiffness or restricted/excessive rotation, significant wear or excessive
discoloration from long term exposure to UV.
Inform the practitioner/service provider of any changes in body weight and/or activity level.
Cleaning
Use a damp cloth and mild soap to clean the outside surfaces. DO NOT use aggressive cleansers.
The remaining instructions in this section are for practitioner use only.
This maintenance must be carried out only by competent personnel (practitioner or suitable
trained technician).
To maintain optimum performance, a periodic inspection for unacceptable noise, play and
stability is recommended. The period between inspections is determined by factors such as the
activity of the user, frequency of usage and the stability setting of the knee.
As a guide, if the setting is 6 clicks or above and the user averages 600,000 steps per annum, an
annual inspection is recommended.
If the stability setting is less than 6 clicks and/or the user averages fewer than the average
number of steps, the period in between inspections may be longer.
The use of a Limb Activity Monitor is recommended to determine step count.
We recommend adjusting the knee to the individuals' stability requirements to ensure optimal
stability and durability. See adjustment guide/flow diagram.
At these inspections ;
• Check for visual defects that may affect proper function.
• Check front stop and replace if necessary.
• Check shin stops and replace if necessary.
• Dis-assemble, clean and reassemble.
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