Innovative Neurotronics Unveils New WalkAide Bi-Flex Cuff

BETHESDA, Md., Feb. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Innovative Neurotronics, Inc. (IN, Inc.), the development and commercialization subsidiary of Hanger Orthopedic Group, today announced the launch of its Bi-Flex Cuff, the latest enhancement to its neuromuscular stimulation device called the WalkAide.  The new cuff provides patients with increased comfort, ease of use, and consistent, reproducible outcomes.  Standard with all WalkAides starting today, the Bi-Flex Cuff will make its debut at the 2010 Hanger Education Fair in Reno, Nevada, February 4-6, 2010.

"We are especially proud of the WalkAide Bi-Flex Cuff because the concept is heavily grounded in patient feedback and involvement," IN, Inc. President Jeff Martin said.  "Since 2006, the WalkAide has been restoring mobility to thousands of people who suffer from lower leg paralysis or weakness.  It's our responsibility to listen to our patients and continually improve upon our already strong and effective product offering.  The WalkAide Bi-Flex Cuff does just that."

Designed to maximize the functionality and precision of the patented WalkAide tilt accelerometer, the Bi-Flex Cuff promotes multidirectional mobility and a natural gait pattern -- an essential component of central nervous system retraining and recovery.  The new electrode locators help ensure precise placement resulting in a more consistent and accurate delivery of electrical impulses to lift the patient's foot at the appropriate time in their walking cycle, something WalkAide patients cannot do for themselves.  This new feature helps patients achieve the same optimal results at home as when their practitioners position the WalkAide in a clinical setting.

"I am thrilled to be using the Bi-Flex Cuff; it makes the use of the WalkAide significantly easier," said Hank Oswald, a WalkAide user since April 2008.  "The new cuff is easy to put on, and the electrode locators ensure I have the WalkAide positioned correctly every time."

Additional features of the Bi-Flex Cuff include improved aesthetics, a new latch attachment system, a unique dual durometer construction (rigid side to ease one-handed donning / doffing, soft side to conform to the leg for total electrode contact), and a vented design that allows for increased air circulation and better breathability.

While the Bi-Flex Cuff comes standard with the WalkAide as of today, previous owners of the WalkAide can purchase the new Bi-Flex Cuff for $350.  To locate a provider, visit the facility locator: http://www.walkaide.com/en-US/FacilityLocator

About the WalkAide – An intelligent functional electrical stimulation (FES) system, the WalkAide restores mobility to people who suffer from a form of lower leg paralysis known as foot drop due to stroke, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy, and incomplete spinal cord injury.  About the size of an iPod and worn around the calf just below the knee, the WalkAide applies low level electrical currents directly to the peroneal nerve (i.e. the motor nerve that controls the movement of the ankle and foot) and instruct the muscles to flex the foot at the appropriate time in the gait cycle.  It uses Bluetooth technology to communicate during programming and a patented tilt accelerometer.

About Hanger Orthopedic Group, Inc.:

Hanger Orthopedic Group, Inc., headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, is the world's premier provider of orthotic and prosthetic patient care services. Hanger is the market leader in the United States, owning and operating 669 patient care centers in 45 states and the District of Columbia, with over 3,700 employees including 1,095 practitioners (as of September 30, 2009). Hanger is organized into four units. The two key operating units are patient care, which consists of nationwide orthotic and prosthetic practice centers, and distribution, which consists of distribution centers managing the supply chain of orthotic and prosthetic componentry to Hanger and third party patient care centers. The third is Linkia, which is the first and only provider network management company for the orthotics and prosthetics industry. The fourth unit, Innovative Neurotronics, introduces emerging neuromuscular technologies developed through independent research in a collaborative effort with industry suppliers worldwide. For more information on Innovative Neurotronics, Inc. or the WalkAide®, visit www.ininc.us. For more information on Hanger, visit www.hanger.com.

This document may contain forward-looking statements relating to the Company's revenues, contracts and operations. The United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" for certain forward-looking statements. Statements relating to future revenues, contracts and operations in this document reflect the current views of management. However, various risks, uncertainties and contingencies could cause actual results or performance to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these statements, including the Company's ability to enter into and derive benefits from managed care contracts, the demand for the Company's orthotic and prosthetic services and products and the other factors identified in the Company's periodic reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

SOURCE Innovative Neurotronics