Superstand HLT Pediatric Standing System

The Mechanisms of Standing
Standing is considered one of the vital human positions. Although it seems like the body remains inactive while assuming a standing position, there are many different mechanisms in the body working at once. Internal (respiration) and external (wind) disturbances require the body to constantly adjust itself in order to hold an upright pose. Not only are the muscles constantly working, but the nervous system is also constantly monitoring direction and velocity. While the body rocks back and forth from the ankle, sway occurs in the hips and the lower back winds and unwinds. Standing also requires use of the core abdominal muscles as well as the calves.

Social Benefits Associated with the Standing Position
There are a wide range of social and emotional benefits to being in the standing position. Standing encourage social interaction by allowing individuals to communicate at eye level with one another. The position facilitates communication, reducing the risk of depression caused by social withdrawal. This ability to communicate with peers on the same eye level increases self-confidence, self esteem, self-image and therefore the overall quality of life. Standing also allows individuals to have more independence in reaching up-high places or being able to engage in activities that are normally taken for granted, such as looking in the mirror at a regular standing level. This position also encourages better circulation, resulting in better cognition and encouraging memory and focus. Lack of blood circulation caused by sitting and lying down also causes the muscles to atrophy and tire, while standing helps exercise the muscles and reduces fatigue. A normal sleep/wake cycle is established through standing upright during waking hours and lying down during sleep hours.

Skeletal and Muscular Benefits Associated with Standing
Not only does standing result in better psychological health, but it also results in better physical health. Standing helps build and maintain bone density through weight bearing activity. Likewise, the muscles will also lose their strength over time when a person does not have the opportunity to stand. Without standing, our leg muscles do not have the opportunity to stretch and they eventually become tight, resulting in discomfort. Standing keeps the core, upper, and lower extremity muscles strengthened as well. Without the ability to stand, poor posture, neck and joint soreness, and back pain occurs.

How Standing Affects Bodily Functions
Gravity plays a prominent role in our body's ability to function properly. It encourages the movement of digested food downward, reducing the occurrence of constipation. Similarly, gravity also encourages the bladder to empty itself when standing, resulting in less instances of urinary tract infections and kidney stones. Standing benefits respiratory function by opening the chest cavity to help with breathing. In addition, the blood circulates more while standing, helping to prevent the formation of pressure ulcers.

Standing Therapy for Children
Children with lower extremity, neurological, and balance mobility disabilities such as spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, stroke, and Rett syndrome can benefit from using a standing frame in home, early intervention, school, hospital, and extended care settings. A standing frame, which is a piece of mobility equipment that is just as important as a wheelchair is, maintains the child in a symmetrical posture, holding them up against gravity. Using postural support, the child's hips can be aligned, stretching the body to reduce the risk of lower extremity contractures.

The Superstand HLT Pediatric Standing System
Ideal for children with neurological, lower extremity, and balance mobility disabilities, as well as those with spinal cord injuries, this pediatric standing system fits children from 20 to 60 inches in height. This versatile standing equipment can be positioned in multiple different positions. It can be configured so that the child can lay horizontally in a supine position, which works well for transfers. Ideal for children with minimal head control, this position provides back support on the posterior of the body. Configured to the prone position, the front of the body is supported. Using the tray provides support for the arms. A foot plate system adjusts in multiple positions, including toe in, toe out, and plantar flexion/dorsi flexion. The height and depth can be adjusted without tools. The knee blocks are also fully adjustable, aws they can be moved in and out, up and down, and side to side. Width adjustable hip guides/lateral pads can be adjusted with a choice of 90 degree brackets, 1" offset, or 2" offset. A chest harness and pelvic pad are made of machine washable soft denim. The Superstand HLT Pediatric Standing System features a hydraulic actuator that lets the user change the mast angle in a smooth, slow controlled, and precise way.

Easy Patient Transfer
The Superstand HLT lays flat to provide a horizontal loading platform for easier patient transfer.

Adjustability and Comfort
Tool-free adjustments let the body support pads, headrest, chinrest, footrest, knee supports, support straps, chest harness and standing angle to be easily adjusted. A wide range of standing angle adjustments allow for ease of client positioning, adjustment, and weight loading. Soft padded positioning supports and cushioned straps, plus complete adjustability properly position the client to maximize standing time and tolerance.

Comfortable Supports
All supports are designed with a flexible, moisture resistant fabric that is very easy to clean. The vest is also available in an all cotton version that breathes, supporting body temperature control.

Easily Disassembles
The Superstand HLT can be easily disassembled into three parts to reduce weight for easy transportation without losing or changing adjustments. The base is also foldable, making storage easier for vehicles and homes.

Growth
The Superstand HLT Pediatric Standing System is designed to grow with your standing needs. Maximum Multiple choices in pad mounting brackets allow for size and growth changes as well as orthopedic positioning needs.

Additional Features

Headrest
An adapter can be installed that enables the use of other headrests that have already been fitted for the child.

Tray
The Tray is adjustable in height, angle, and depth. It can be used in a prone or supine position and a variety of options are available.

Chest Support
The Chest Support is adjustable in height, angle, and multiple depth options that will support most postural deformities.

Knee Support
The Knee Support is adjustable in height and width. It adjusts from front-to-back and side-to-side for proper alignment of the lower extremities. Velcro closures are used for leg securement. The Knee Support accommodates the flexion of the knees and can help gain some range.

Multi-Position Foot System
This unique system can accommodate for plantar flexion or dorsiflexion contractures. Foot plates with separate height adjustments accommodate leg length and discrepancies. Available Foot Systems including a one piece foot platform, independent footplates, a multi-adjustable foot system, heel loops and ankle straps, and footrest mounting can be seen below.

Base
4 easy rolling casters make the Superstand HLT easy to move and place.

Color Options
Choose from a variety of frame and upholstery colors.

Configuration Note: Your physician or therapist will recommend the appropriate positions for your individual needs. With a "no tools" approach, you can set the configuration when the unit is ordered as a Multi-Position System.