Saebo SaeboFlex User manual

SaeboFlex®

INTRODUCTION:
The SaeboFlex
®
is a custom fabricated, dynamic Wrist Hand Finger
Orthosis (WHFO). It is finger and thumb driven in flexion, and cable
driven in extension. The orthosis serves a dual purpose: to support
the hand in a functional position while allowing the person to
incorporate the hand in functional activities.
BENEFITS:
• Designed to support the neurologically impaired wrist, hand,
thumb, and fingers in a functional position
• Helps to prevent and correct contractures of the wrist, hand,
thumb, and fingers
• Maintains and improves range of motion in the hand, thumb,
fingers and throughout the entire upper extremity
• Improves strength in the wrist, hand, thumb, fingers and
throughout the entire upper extremity
• Assists with performing functional grasp and release activities
using the affected arm/hand
POSITIONING:
When wearing the SaeboFlex for positioning, the patient should
gradually increase the wearing time. (This should be monitored
by a licensed therapist/health care professional). This should be
done during the waking hours, and it is not recommended that the
SaeboFlex be worn while sleeping.

FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITIES:
We suggest two 45 minute sessions of functional grasp and release activities
each day. Consult with your SaeboTrained therapist to help identify the best
functional activities to match your specific needs. After each 45 minute session
the SaeboFlex should be removed for at least 30 minutes. It is possible to do
more than two 45 minute sessions each day.
INDICATIONS:
• Stroke
• Traumatic Brain Injury (T.B.I.)
• Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury
• Cerebral Palsy
• Individuals suffering from hemiparesis
CONTRAINDICATIONS:
• Severe joint deformities in the fingers and thumb secondary to
hypermobile or lax joints
• Any type of inflammatory arthritis in the fingers or thumb
• Limiting fixed contractures in the fingers, thumb, and wrist
• Severe edema in the forearm and/or hand
• Open wounds or infected areas
• The SaeboFlex was not designed tobe used on a normal hand
as the dynamic resistive springs are not calibrated to
accommodate normal tone and would be no functional benefit.
PRECAUTIONS:
1. If you experience any pain while wearing or using the
SaeboFlex, stop immediately and contact a health care
professional before resuming.
2. If unusual swelling, skin discoloration, discomfort, or
numbness occurs, remove immediately and contact a health
care professional before resuming.

3. Avoid wearing the SaeboFlex for longer than 45 minutes at a
time while incorporating it functionally.
4. The SaeboFlex should fit snug, yet comfortably, without
interfering with circulation.
5. Do not let unsupervised children play with the SaeboFlex as
there are small partswhich if removed may cause choking if
swallowed.
MAINTENANCE:
The SaeboFlex should be cleaned witha damp cloth and allowed to
air dry. Avoid chemicals/abrasives for cleaning which may damage
and decrease the performance of the SaeboFlex.
DONNING THE
SaeboFlex :
It is important for the patient and/or caregiver to understand how to
correctly put on the SaeboFlex orthosis. The SaeboFlex needs tobe
donned at the same anatomical location every time to ensure correct
performance. Below are suggested steps for putting on the
SaeboFlex. If you continue tohave difficultywithapplying the
SaeboFlex, please contact your therapist or callour clinical technical
support team at 888-284-5433.
Step #1: Make sure all three straps (two forearm and one hand
strap) are undone.
Step #2: Place your thumb over the bone at the wrist (ulnar head)
(Fig#1). Place the SaeboFlex onto the forearm. Make sure the distal
edge (the one closest to the wrist) of the forearm shell isjust above
the bone at the wrist (Fig #2).
Fig #1 Fig #2

Step #3: Once you have the forearm shell inthe correct position,
secure the two forearm straps. Make sure they are secure so the
forearm shell does not migrate down over the bone at the wrist
(Fig #2).
Step #4: In order to apply the hand strap, bring the back of the hand
and fingers up against the hand piece. Once they are positioned with
the hand centered under the hand piece, secure the hand strap.
Step #5: When all three straps are secure, remove the finger spring
from the hook on the wrist mount located on the forearm shell by
turning the hook a half-turn so the opening isfacing to the side.
Remove the spring allowing the digit caps to fall down.

Step #6: Starting with the index finger and finishing with the little
finger, slide each finger into the appropriate digit cap. Make sure the
tip of the finger comes to the end of the digit cap. Depending on the
tone in the hand and fingers, this step may be difficult for some
people.
In the beginning, it may be necessary to open the white Velcro strap
that holds the digit cap securely to the finger. Eventually, it will be
possible toslide the finger into the digit cap without opening the
Velcro straps. Trim any excess length from the digit cap straps. (Your
therapist should have trimmed these straps at the clinic.)
Step #7: Once all four digit caps are securely on the fingers, bring
the fingers up against the finger lead mounts (Fig #3). Reattach the
finger spring onto the eye hook on the wrist mount located on the
forearm shell (Fig #4).
Care should be taken to avoid pulling the fingers up with the spring as
this practice may overstretch the spring or pull open the split ring (the
round ring at the end of the spring).
We suggest you extend the fingers and hold them into extension by
placing them against your thigh or a table.
Fig #3 Fig #4

Step #8: To apply the thumb digit cap, unhook the thumb spring
attached to the thumb mount on the forearm shell. Let the digit cap
hang down toward the thumb.
Step #9:
Slide the thumb into the digit cap. Make sure the tip of the
thumb is at the end (tip) of the inside portion of the digit cap and no
space can be seen.
Step #10: Once the thumb digit cap is securely on the thumb, re-
attach the thumb spring onto the thumb mount. Be careful not to
overstretch the spring.

Step #13:
Connect the two tension cords. This is accomplished by
inserting the tension cords through the attachment cleats. Pull the
tension cords through the cleats until the tension markers hit the back
of the cleats. Pull the cords up and back to secure.
Step #14: You can loop the free ends of the tension cords back
around and over themselves to keep them out of the way.
WARRANTY
Step #13:
Connect the two tension cords. This is accomplished by
inserting the tension cords through the attachment cleats. Pull the
tension cords through the cleats until the tension markers hit the back
of the cleats. Pull the cords up and back to secure.
Step #14: You can loop the free ends of the tension cords back
around and over themselves to keep them out of the way.
WARRANTY
Care and Cleaning of the Kit Style SaeboFlex and SaeboReach
• Kit style devices are fabricated so that the foam liners can be removed
and replaced with the replacement foam liners provided in the Saebo
kit. Replacement straps for the digit caps, hand pieces, and forearm
shells are also included.
• The remainder of the parts/pieces can be cleaned with the same
cleaning solutions used for other rehabilitation equipment and supplies
such as Dispatch.
• Spray or apply solution to a clean cloth and wipe down.
• If the device was only used a few times, the foam liner, which is closed
cell, can be re-used after wiping down and cleaning with the same
solution.
Care and Cleaning of Custom Fabricated SaeboFlex and SaeboReach
• Use of Dispatch or other hospital grade disinfectant liquid or spray
applied to a clean cloth and wipe down.
• Foam padding is closed cell and non- absorbent and can also be wiped
down with disinfectant cleaning solution as well as using a clean cloth.
Step #13:
Connect the two tension cords. This is accomplished by
inserting the tension cords through the attachment cleats. Pull the
tension cords through the cleats until the tension markers hit the back
of the cleats. Pull the cords up and back to secure.
Step #14: You can loop the free ends of the tension cords back
around and over themselves to keep them out of the way.
WARRANTY
Step #13:
Connect the two tension cords. This is accomplished by
inserting the tension cords through the attachment cleats. Pull the
tension cords through the cleats until the tension markers hit the back
of the cleats. Pull the cords up and back to secure.
Step #14: You can loop the free ends of the tension cords back
around and over themselves to keep them out of the way.
WARRANTY
Care and Cleaning of the Kit Style SaeboFlex and SaeboReach
• Kit style devices are fabricated so that the foam liners can be removed
and replaced with the replacement foam liners provided in the Saebo
kit. Replacement straps for the digit caps, hand pieces, and forearm
shells are also included.
• The remainder of the parts/pieces can be cleaned with the same
cleaning solutions used for other rehabilitation equipment and supplies
such as Dispatch.
• Spray or apply solution to a clean cloth and wipe down.
• If the device was only used a few times, the foam liner, which is closed
cell, can be re-used after wiping down and cleaning with the same
solution.
Care and Cleaning of Custom Fabricated SaeboFlex and SaeboReach
• Use of Dispatch or other hospital grade disinfectant liquid or spray
applied to a clean cloth and wipe down.
• Foam padding is closed cell and non- absorbent and can also be wiped
down with disinfectant cleaning solution as well as using a clean cloth.