News

World Expo 2010: Lower Saxony Premier David McAllister visits the Otto Bock exhibit
Lower Saxony's new Premier David McAllister visited the Otto Bock HealthCare exhibit at the World Expo 2010 today (Friday, July 9, 2010). During the course of his trip to China, David McAllister came to Shanghai on the occasion of Lower Saxony week, accompanied by a delegation of around 90 people from politics, business, and the media.

Global success for wheelchairs from Thuringia –
Mobility Theme World evolves
Königsee, Germany. With the expansion of their Königsee location and irrespective of the global economic crisis, Otto Bock HealthCare, global market leader in orthopaedics technology, invests in the future. On June 24, 2010, Thuringia's Economics Minister, Matthias Machnig, and family entrepreneur, Prof. Hans Georg Näder, broke ground for the 3,600sqm extensions. EUR 7m will be invested.

1st Birthday of the Science Center Medical Technology in Berlin
The Otto Bock Science Center Medical Technology has far exceeded the forecast of 100,000 guests per year, which was publicised during the grand opening on June 16, 2009. The concept of presenting the topic of physical mobility with exciting multimedia installations suitable for a broad audience has proven itself. With the respectable number of 140,111 guests, the "Muscle House" on the Potsdamer Platz has established itself as a new Berlin attraction on its 1st birthday.

Long Night of Sciences in the Otto Bock Science Center Medical Technology
Around 70 archives, libraries, laboratories, and other facilities offered a look behind the scenes during the Long Night of Sciences (Lange Nacht der Wissenschaften) in Berlin and Potsdam. The Otto Bock Science Center Medical Technology was also open on Saturday, June 5 and invited visitors to go on an exciting voyage of discovery.

Gait training DVD for technicians, therapists, and C-Leg® users
The number 1 challenge physically and mentally for people who have had a leg amputated is to get back to their independent way of life. Otto Bock has prepared a gait-training DVD with the support of experienced prosthetists and physical therapists.

Otto Bock with global innovations in upper and lower limb prosthetics
With cutting-edge technology and record numbers, the world-leading ORTHOPÄDIE + REHA-TECHNIK (ORTHOPAEDICS + REHABILITATION TECHNOLOGY) trade fair in Leipzig highlighted the achievement potential of medical technology as a growth industry. 554 exhibitors from 45 countries enjoyed the attention of over 21,200 visitors – a solid 17 percent more compared to 2008. As the global market leader in the field of prosthetics, the contribution by Otto Bock HealthCare included two outstanding product premieres.

World Expo 2010 in Shanghai: Official Opening of the Life & Sunshine Pavilion
The Life & Sunshine Pavilion was officially opened to the public yesterday (Monday, 10 May 2010) in the presence of Chinese Vice Prime Minister Hui Liangyu. Accompanied by Professor Hans Georg Näder, chairman and CEO of Otto Bock HealthCare, Hui Liangyu visited the "Discover what moves us" exhibition designed for the World Expo 2010 by the German medical technology company Otto Bock.

Science Center Medizintechnik: Ab heute Sonderausstellung zur Weltausstellung 2010
Einen weiteren Veranstaltungshöhepunkt präsentiert die Otto Bock HealthCare im Science Center Medizintechnik, Ebertstraße 15a in Berlin: Anlässlich der World Expo 2010 eröffnet das MedTech-Unternehmen am heutigen Donnerstag, 29. April, eine Sonderausstellung, die bis zum Ende der Expo am 31. Oktober einen Hauch von Shanghai in die deutsche Hauptstadt bringt.

Otto Bock HealthCare presents the world of physical mobility in Shanghai
Expo 2010 from May 1 through October 31 in Shanghai explores the topic of human mobility, a future issue of global importance. For the first time in the approximately 160-year history of the World Expo, a separate exhibit - the "Life & Sunshine Pavilion" - is dedicated to the interests of disabled people.

iF material award 2010 for ThermoLyn® SKINGUARD®
The ThermoLyn® SKINGUARD® product line was recognised with the iF material award 2010 at the Hanover trade fair. This line of antibacterial thermoplastics developed by Otto Bock HealthCare is used in the fabrication of prosthetic sockets and assures pleasant wearing characteristics along with wellbeing of the skin.

German championships coming to South Lower Saxony?
As runners-up in the sport of indoor football for company teams in Germany, players and coaches of the Otto Bock company sports team received the golden honorary pin of the Lower Saxony Company-Facilitated Sports Association. Heinz Carstens, Managing Director of the association and Hans-Jürgen Bornemann, Deputy Chairperson of the Südharz Company-Facilitated Sports Association, visited Otto Bock in Duderstadt for the presentation and were welcomed by chairman and CEO Professor Hans Georg Näder.

Visitor number 15,000 in the Snow Dome four days before the closing ceremonies in Vancouver.
The 10th Winter Paralympics are coming to an end with the closing ceremonies in Vancouver on Sunday (March 21, 2010). Then the Snow Dome in the winter skiing paradise of Whistler will be taken down. This is where the International Paralympic Committee and Otto Bock first presented their joint exhibition “Spirit in Motion – Discover What Moves Us”.

Contract signed in Vancouver, objectives defined.
The German Association for Disabled Sports (Deutscher Behindertensportverband, DBS) and the medical technology company Otto Bock HealthCare signed a cooperation agreement this past Wednesday (March 17, 2010). It creates a solid foundation for cooperation which has been ongoing for many years.

President of the Austrian Paralympic Committee moderates Paralympics Forum.
A newly constructed low-energy building is currently designated as Austria House in Whistler and will subsequently be transferred to the municipality, most likely to establish a home for the mountain bike movement. This is where the Otto Bock Evening was held within the framework of the ongoing Paralympics. Forum contributions by Professor Hans Georg Näder, Dr. Hans Dietl and Reini Sampl were moderated by former Minister of Health Maria Rauch-Kallat, who has been President of the Austrian Paralympic Committee since April 2009.

Muffy Davis presents questions-and-answers session with Sir Craven and Professor Näder.
A whole evening, the IPC Lounge in Whistler was marked by Otto Bock HealthCare, who had organized a reception together with the International Paralympic Committee. It was an enjoyable evening with plenty of information resulting from a questions-and-answers session with IPC President Sir Philip Craven and Professor Hans Georg Näder, presented by Muffy Davis, US American monoskier idol, who won numerous medals in her career and meanwhile acts as an official ambassador of the IPC.

DBS President Beucher himself updates success record.
It is beautiful and heavy: the gold medal Martin Braxenthaler brought with him for his first visit to the Snow Dome in Whistler. In the common Paralympics exhibition by the International Paralympic Committee and Otto Bock he signed the exhibition canvas that was dedicated to him with text and picture. Friedhelm Beucher, President of the German Association for Disabled Sports (DBS), insisted on adding himself the slalom gold medal of 2010 to the list of the monoskier's greatest successes – which already is Martin Braxenthaler's 8th medal.

Presentation ceremony on Medals Plaza by Professor Hans Georg Näder.
Martin Braxenthaler has won the second gold medal for Germany at the Paralympics in Vancouver. In doing so, the moniskier had already reached his minimum goal at the presentation ceremony with Professor Hans Georg Näder on Medals Plaza. He wanted to get on the podium at least once during these games. Now he won gold - number eight in his career - in the first of five competitions.

Official inauguration of the “Spirit in Motion” Paralympics exhibition.
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and Otto Bock have hit the mark with their exhibition “Spirit in Motion – Discover what Moves Us” in Whistler. Around 7,000 visitors came to the Snow Dome even before it was officially opened by IPC President Sir Phillip Craven and Mayor of Whistler Ken Melamed along with Professor Hans Georg Näder and Marc Agro from Otto Bock on the first day of Paralympics competition (March 13, 2010).

The new Harmony® P3 pump by Otto Bock.
The Harmony® system, which stands for active volume management and improved adhesion, has established itself as the fitting standard for transtibial amputations. For Otto Bock, this success is no reason to rest on its laurels: After further development work, the company is now presenting the new Harmony® P3 pump.

The IPC and Otto Bock present a joint exhibition.
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and Otto Bock HealthCare will bring a new attraction to the Winter Paralympics in Vancouver (March 12 through 21, 2010): In downtown Whistler, the partners are presenting an exhibition on topics related to the Paralympics entitled "Spirit in Motion - Discover, what moves us".

Lower Saxony company presents the world of physical mobility at the World Expo in Shanghai.
Demographic change is posing mounting challenges for societies around the world. Next to accidents and illness, old age associated with rising life expectancy is gaining importance as a cause of limited mobility.

Premiere: International Paralympic Winter Day in Moscow
Ice hockey fans in Russia still idolise him as the “man with 1000 hands”. Wladislaw Tretjak, ten-time world champion and best goalie of all time, returned to the ice during International Paralympic Winter Day (IPWD) on Red Square in Moscow (on December 12, 2009) and guarded the goal of the German sledge hockey team for 15 minutes for a 10:1 win against the Netherlands.

Otto Bock reaches the next milestone in the history of prosthetics.
Christian Kandlbauer can sense temperature, identify rough and smooth surfaces and feel the strength of a handshake with an artificial hand. This is the first time a prosthesis has transmitted such sensory perceptions back to the brain via nerve tracts: A milestone in the history of prosthetics.

Easier fabrication process of the threadless valves PushValve 21Y14 and MagValve 21Y15.

A recent media event held at the Otto Bock Science Center Medical Technology presented an impressive example of what technology for people can do: Christian Kandlbauer drives a car with two prosthetic arms.

The new disabled athletes of the year are Michael Teuber, Andrea Rothfuss and the members of the National Wheelchair Curling Team. An awards ceremony was held for them on November 12 as the high point of the "Night of the Stars", the gala of the "Förderkreis Behindertensport" (a fundraising group to support sports for the disabled) at the Hotel Maritim in Berlin.

Otto Bock CEO Hans Georg Näder appointed as new guest professor of Capital Medical University.
On Monday (October 26, 2009), the Capital Medical University appointed Hans Georg Näder as its guest professor in Berlin’s partner city of Beijing. This award to the chairman and CEO of Otto Bock HealthCare constitutes another component of German-Chinese cooperation in the field of medical technology.

The Otto Bock Science Center Medical Technology in Berlin was honoured as a “Place in the Land of Ideas” on Saturday, October 3.
Sebastian Peichl, Director of the Otto Bock Science Center Medical Technology, accepted the award on behalf of Professor Hans Georg Näder, chairman and CEO of Otto Bock HealthCare.

Improved performance and functionality.
The improved Harmony® e-pulse was released in September with three main performance and functional improvements – durable filtration, airtight performance and ability to flush with distilled water.

Otto Bock supports the exhibition IdeenExpo 2009 to get young people excited about technical occupations.
In order to get young people excited about technology and technical occupations, Otto Bock HealthCare is once again represented with its own booth at IdeenExpo from September 5 through 13, 2009.

Senior executive of the Otto Bock Group passes away at the age of 94
The Otto Bock Group is mourning the loss of senior executive Dr. Max Näder, who passed away on Friday, July 24th, at the age of 94. The funeral service for Dr. Näder, who was an honorary citizen of the cities of Duderstadt and Königsee, will be held on Friday, July 31st, at 12 pm in the St. Servatius protestant church in Duderstadt.

The launch of a unique technology showcase in Berlin.
There is a new attraction for the citizens of Berlin and visitors to the national capital from all over the world: The Otto Bock Science Center Medical Technology was officially inaugurated on Tuesday, June 16, 2009 in the presence of Federal Minister of External Affairs Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the Premier of Thuringia Dieter Althaus, Berlin’s mayor Klaus Wowereit and several hundred guests.

The Polytol® PU resin kit from Otto Bock has received no less than two design awards: The iF material award 2009 and the DESIGN PLUS 2009 award. In prosthetics, the Polytol® PU resin kit is used to fabricate flexible inner sockets. It is skin-friendly and features high permanent elasticity.

German Design Award for the Lumbo TriStep from Otto Bock.
The Lumbo TriStep back orthosis from Otto Bock HealthCare GmbH has received the German Design Award in silver during the opening of the international “Ambiente” trade fair in Frankfurt. In its statement, the jury mainly emphasised the favourable combination of materials and design.

Ceremony in the Duderstadt city hall on January 13
For Otto Bock HealthCare, a ceremony in the historical Duderstadt city hall will kick off its anniversary year.  On Tuesday, January 13, 2009 – 90 years to the day after Orthopädische Industrie GmbH was founded by eponym Otto Bock – around 300 guests of honour including premier Christian Wulff (Lower Saxony) and minister Gerold Wucherpfennig as a representative of premier Dieter Althaus (Thuringia) are expected at 1:00 pm.

Otto Bock will count on competent consulting and intensive dialogue at the Arab Health 2009. You are invited for extensive conversations, communication exchange and demonstration of state-of-the-art fitting procedures at our Otto Bock stand CD 90. Experience the world of orthopaedic technology and Otto Bock expertise.

The Otto Bock Foundation supports direct aid and training of orthopaedic technicians.
The Otto Bock Foundation will continue and expand its aid to children who became victims of the earthquake catastrophe in the Chinese province of Si Chuan in May 2008.

Heinrich Bürkle de la Camp Medal for Professor Hans Georg Näder.
Professor Hans Georg Näder, chairman and CEO of the Otto Bock Group, was awarded the “Heinrich Bürkle de la Camp Medal” last Thursday for his contributions to the field of medical technology.

Now that the shell of the Otto Bock Science Center for Medical Technology is complete, a topping-out ceremony was held this Friday, October 10, 2008 on the Ebertstraße construction site in Berlin. The cornerstone for the Otto Bock Science Center for Medical Technology was laid here six months ago in the presence of Berlin’s incumbent mayor Klaus Wowereit as well as political and industry VIPs.

Christian Wulff Visits Victims of Catastrophic Earthquake
The relief action “Give Children a Future” sponsored by the Otto Bock Foundation supports girls and boys that fell victim to the catastrophic earthquake in the Sichuan region of China. Premier of Lower Saxony Christian Wulff spoke to some of these children for 45 minutes during a reception at the German embassy in Beijing on German Unification Day.

CDPF and Otto Bock Sign Policy Statement.
Cooperation between the Chinese organisation for the disabled CDPF and the medical technology company Otto Bock HealthCare is being expanded.

Otto Bock HealthCare will present numerous new products at the REHACARE that will take place from 15 to 18 October 2008 in Düsseldorf, Germany.
Moreover, the company will make use of this international trade fair to introduce its "Kids Concept", which has been specially geared to the needs of children with disabilities, as well as the "Premium Products Range", a new business segment with its own product portfolio.

Paralympics experiences in the Otto Bock workshop.
The Otto Bock team consisting of 136 orthopedic technicians from 19 countries handled 2188 jobs at the Paralympics. While this figure corresponds to the results in Athens 2004, much was different at the 2008 games in Beijing. At the closing ceremonies in the “Bird’s Nest”, IPC president Sir Philip Craven spoke of “the best Paralympics of all time” before an audience of 95,000. This applied to the competitions as well as life in the Paralympic Village, where the Otto Bock workshop became a multicultural meeting place.

Partnership Extended to 2012.
Even as the 13th Paralympics in Beijing are still ongoing in sold-out arenas, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and the medical technology company Otto Bock HealthCare have extended their current cooperation agreement to 2012.

The 6Y75 SiliconGel Liner with SKINGUARD® Technology include the new and effective additive Sanitized®.
The high-tech functionality of antibacterial additive Sanitized® protects your liner against bacterial involvement and thus also against bad odors. It preserves the material, improves hygiene and the odor reduction.

Otto Bock Foundation: Concrete Emergency Aid Has Begun.
The relief action “Give Children a Future” of the Otto Bock Foundation has begun for the first six children in the earthquake disaster area of Sichuan. They were brought to Beijing with the help of the Red Cross China.

Available on our website: detailed information about new Otto Bock products recently introduced at the Trade show for Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation Technology:
Helix3D Hip Joint System, new C-Leg®compact, new Generation of 3R90 and 3R92 Modular Knee Joints with Friction Brake and the 3R41 Modular Knee Joint with Lock.

Discussion Forum “Elite Paralympic Sports Facing New Challenges”
This Thursday May 22, 2008, the topic “Elite Paralympic Sports Facing New Challenges” was discussed by Prof. Dr. Gert-Peter Brüggemann , Prof. Dr. Gudrun Doll-Tepper and Heinrich Popow.

Meet us at the Leipzig trade show.
Otto Bock is placing its concept for the Leipzig trade show under the motto “Experiencing competence”. This approach is taking us beyond the conventional presentation of innovative products.

Laying the Cornerstone for the Science Center Medical Technology
The Medical Technology Competence Centre allows anyone to experience the fascination of things we may otherwise take for granted.

Paralympics deployment with 136 technicians.
The medical technology company Otto Bock HealthCare will take over the repair services for prostheses and wheelchairs at the Paralympics from September 6 to 17, 2008 in Beijing.

Germany beats Netherlands 64-31 at Champions Weekend.
Germany’s female wheelchair basketball team confirmed its special standing last Sunday (13/4/2008), adding a magnificent finale to the Champions Weekend for Paralympics Sponsor Otto Bock: a 64-31 victory over Holland, European second-place champions (20-8/36-16/50-24).

ottobock.com is now available in Spanish!
Effective immediately, our international website ottobock.com is also available in Spanish.

International match – ladies’ wheelchair basketball in Göttingen before the national league game of BG 74 vs. Skyliners Frankfurt
Five-time European Champions, two subsequent awards for Team of the Year – now all the German national ladies’ wheelchair basketball team needs is a medal at the Paralympics in Beijing (September 6 to 17, 2008).

1958, Minneapolis: Dr. Max Näder Founds Otto Bock USA
Otto Bock took the first step towards establishing a global brand at a time when globalisation was still an unknown term for medium-sized family enterprises in Germany. CEO Dr. Max Näder and his wife Maria first travelled to the United States in 1956. Their second visit led to the founding of “Otto Bock Orthopedic Industry, Inc.” in Minneapolis on February 21, 1958.

 “This has been the most exciting period in the history of the company”
In 2007, the consolidated turnover of the Otto Bock Group rose from 541 to 560 million euros. This constitutes a currency adjusted sales growth of 9.4%.

Golden German Design Award for the Genu Arexa
The Genu Arexa, a knee orthosis from the medical technology company Otto Bock HealthCare, has received the golden German design award in Frankfurt.

International Design Award for Otto Bock
The 1C30 Trias prosthesis foot from Otto Bock has received the international “Legacy for the Future Design Award” in Korea. At the “Design Korea” festival in Seoul, the Trias was declared the winner in the “Human Comfort Design” category.

Heinrich Popow is an advocate of cultural diversity. The athlete and member of the TSV Bayer O4 Leverkusen team has been appointed national Ambassador for the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue (EYID) along with film composer Hans Zimmer, actress Minh-Khai Phan-Thi and other high-profile figures.