CROSS™ Hemi Shoulder – new textile shoulder orthosis!
21 April 2025
CROSS™ Hemi Shoulder is a textile shoulder orthosis designed to treat subluxation of the shoulder joint. Through careful product development and close collaboration with both healthcare providers and patients, we have designed an orthosis that helps stroke patients regain function in their daily lives.
A Highly Anticipated Release
CROSS Hemi Shoulder gently corrects the position of the arm and shoulder joint through rotation and lift.
– The primary target group is individuals who have suffered a stroke, where arm function is impaired, leading to subluxation – meaning the ball has partially slipped out of the shoulder socket, says David Nordenberg Steiman, Product Manager.
For many years, we have developed assistive devices for individuals with neurological injuries, and our product range already includes orthoses for the foot, knee, and hand.
– A shoulder orthosis for stroke patients focusing on ease of use, comfort, and function, has long been in demand among our customers, says Maria Jonsson, Designer at Allard International R&D.
Developed with the User in Mind
The development of CROSS Hemi Shoulder has been characterised by rigorous prototype testing and close dialogue with both healthcare providers and patients.
A stroke affects many bodily functions, which places high demands on the orthosis. Product understanding, handling, and functionality have been documented and refined throughout the process to launch an orthosis that meets the challenges of daily life.
– Functionality and ease of use are key. For us, it was important that the product was not only easy to fit in a clinical setting but also manageable for the patient in the challenges they face in everyday life, says Maria.
The shoulder orthosis is equipped with several well-thought-out features to facilitate handling. It fastens easily over the chest with a magnetic buckle. The rotation strap and FitGo system position the arm in a functional position without restricting movement.
– The FitGo system also allows the user to adjust the lift throughout the day, tighten or loosen it as needed. You can even access the function through a sweater, says Maria.
To meet patients' needs for easy handling, the orthosis has numbered steps for putting it on and taking it off. The materials are soft, padded, and pressure-relieving to provide high comfort even during long-term use.
The Details That Make a Difference
Textile and padded materials are soft and comfortable against the skin, offering high acceptance among users. However, textile materials also present challenges – for example, ensuring they remain upright without collapsing.
– Imagine trying to pull a leg warmer over a spastic hand and arm. It’s difficult! The fabric is not pliable, it collapses, and the hand easily gets stuck. We solved this by adding flexible splints that "open up" the orthosis when putting it on, making it easy to slide over a spastic hand and up onto the arm, explains Maria.
Launching in April, 2025
After an extensive development process, CROSS Hemi Shoulder is now ready for the market. Sales are scheduled to begin on 1st April.
– We have developed a product we are very excited to launch and to see how it is received, concludes Maria.
David Nordenberg Steiman is Product Manager and a licensed physiotherapist. Maria Jonsson is a Designer at Allard International R&D.