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Research
Publications
2007
2006
Research
and development
BIOTONIX has a solid reputation for producing high quality products. This is the result of the quality assurance methodology used by the Company's Research and Development department in collaboration with independent University research and clinical facilities.
Reliability and Validity:
Biotonix has always been concerned with one of the key components of the success of any system involving the placement of imaging markers: the ability of clinicians to consistently palpate underlying structural landmarks and accurately place markers overlying these anatomical locations. A collaborative study with McGill University and Universite de Montreal was completed to test the within and between examiner reliability of the placement of the anatomical markers of Biotonix. The accuracy of the angular and distance measures provided by the system was also compared to a highly sensitive and well-established kinematic measurement system, the VICON. The results of this study indicated high reliability within and between examiners and high accuracy. An abstract of this work was presented at the IV World Congress of Biomechanics conference in Calgary (in collaboration with the American and Canadian Biomechanics Societies) and an article based on this work was submitted to the Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation for publication.
Lower Back Pain and Exercise Efficacy:
Biotonix has a long-standing role in the assessment and treatment of lower back pain. Our exercise regimes were recently evaluated and refined by Dr. Cheryl Hubley-Kozey of the School of Physical Therapy of Dalhousie University. Further, Dr. Hubley-Kozey collaborated with Biotonix on an extensive review and synthesis of the effectiveness of exercise treatments for lower back pain. This lead to a presentation and published abstract at the 4th Interdisciplinary World Congress on Low Back and Pelvic Pain in Montreal, and a paper summarizing these findings have been submitted to the Journal of Manual and Manipulative Therapy. Further, Dr. Hubley-Kozey and collaborators at Dalhousie are currently completing a study of the efficacy of the corrective exercise regimes provided within our products.
Posture and Pregnancy
There are several very clear applications of postural assessment and correction for a variety of women's health issues. Biotonix is taking an industry lead in several aspects of this important healthcare issue--spanning both research and diagnostic/therapeutic contexts. For example, a collaborative study was completed at Queen's University to begin to establish body segment parameters necessary for modifying the BioPrint to assess postural deviations during pregnancy. The findings from this study are invaluable for appropriate biomechanical assessment and corrective exercise intervention during pregnancy and are currently being integrated into the BioPrint. Specific corrective and preventative exercises for postural changes during pregnancy are being developed in parallel to these system modifications.
Osteoporosis
New and in the product development stages is the OsteoPrint.
Biotonix recognizes the rapidly expanding aging population and the important role that non-invasive health assessments and treatments will play in this expanding marketplace. One of our key targets is Osteoporosis, which is often associated with profound skeletal changes that place affected women at risk for fractures and other debilitating conditions. The application of the BioPrint for the identification and treatment of postural conditions associated with osteoporosis is being explored in collaboration with Baylor University Health Center. The general concept is a lifetime approach to postural assessment that could identify risk factors in early postmenopausal women. Again, the non-invasive characteristic of our system makes it an ideal and low-cost alternative to other imaging techniques. The exercise based correction component may improve patient's strength, flexibility, and coordination. All of these are key aspects of osteoporosis in affected patients. We welcome interest by pharmaceutical, diagnostic services, and medical device companies in this developing product due out in early 2004
Pediatrics
Biotonix continues its lifetime perspective of postural form
and function into the area of pediatrics. A systematic review
of the available literature and data sets was completed to
arrive at a consensus of appropriate biomechanical parameters
for children. The focus is to use these data sets to adapt
the center of gravity calculations and moment of force calculations
for children of different developmental ages. An abstract
was presented at the IV World Congress of Biomechanics conference
summarizing this work.
Sports Performance
Biotonix has long recognized the sports medicine and performance
implications of body alignment assessment and correction.
Postural deviations limit optimal performance in that the
structural base from which movements are produced is not optimal
and movements must compensate for these postural difficulties.
One of the key aspects of attempting to develop symmetrical
muscle development is the reduced risk of injury when excessive
demands (such as high physical performance and stresses) are
placed on the musculoskeletal system. Biotonix is currently
engaged in a collaborative project at the University of Pittsburgh
Medical Center to explore the potential of the BioPrint to
address injury and performance related to issues of concern
to professional golfers. Additional collaborative work is
underway at Stanford University to further explore the application
of the BioPrint to collegiate and other professional sports.
Exercise and Chiropractic Care
Specific stretching and strengthening exercises specifically
designed as an adjunct to Chiropractic intervention were developed
based on extensive clinical consultation with, and the published
work of, Dr. Don Harrison and his collaborators.
The BioPrint is listed as a Class 1 Medical Device both by the United States of America's Food and Drug Administration and Health Canada.
Patents
and Copyrights
Our products are both patent and copyright protected within North America and Internationally.
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