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Tables turned for Manuel Haas when he required foot surgery during the development of the Nitro® Glide. A member of DDH's international product management team based in Germany, Haas quickly found himself using the very product he was tasked with bringing to market as he navigated the challenging journey of recovering from foot surgery. In this interview, he shares how the Glide was developed and how his experience influenced its unique features.
Why did Drive DeVilbiss International (DDI) decide to introduce the Nitro® Glide?
The knee walker concept isn't entirely new for Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare. Particularly in the American and Australian markets, knee rollers have become indispensable. Due to the positive feedback from our sister companies, we took notice and gathered initial customer opinions and market feedback. To optimize the product, we worked with our design team to develop an orthopedic roller that combines an individual and appealing design with [outstanding] functionalities.
You actually underwent foot surgery yourself during the preparations for the Nitro Glide launch and used the product personally. What stood out to you while using it?
Yes, it was a challenging time. In situations like that, you realize how everyday actions can become major challenges. The most routine tasks like carrying a water bottle or preparing a meal become genuine obstacles without a storage option.
The Nitro Glide has helped me enormously and made everyday life easier. Thanks to the included basket, I could easily transport items around the house. When preparing meals, I could rest my injured leg on the knee pad and still have both hands free. The Nitro Glide gave me back a lot of flexibility during this time.
Simple handling and user-friendliness are key to such an aid. It's essential to ensure that users can operate all functions with minimal assistance. It can't be assumed that family or caregivers will be available around the clock during rehabilitation.
What makes the Nitro Glide a better choice for individuals with lower leg injuries than crutches?
Our Nitro Glide aids in mobilization and movement, providing an ergonomic alternative to conventional forearm crutches. While using the roller, tension in the muscles of the injured limb is maintained. This positively impacts the patient's recovery and can even accelerate it.
Furthermore, compared to using forearm crutches, the Nitro Glide relieves the shoulder, neck, and upper body muscles, preventing subsequent issues.
You mentioned special functionality that was particularly important during product development. What makes the Nitro Glide stand out from other knee walkers on the market?
Our Nitro Glide offers adjustment of the front wheel distance to enable the best possible use in different environments and on different surfaces.
A quality feature of our roller is the disc brake, ensuring quick and secure braking. For transportation, it was essential for our knee walker to fold up compactly and be stowed away easily. These functionalities, combined with its appealing design, make our Nitro Glide a pleasant companion and a true hero during rehabilitation!
