LiteGait I 500 E and ES Operator and Service Manual

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LiteGait I 500E

Manual

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LiteGait®

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SERIAL

NUMBER

Serial Number of Your Device:

Note: Please keep your serial number in a safe and secure

location. The serial number must be provided when seeking

service for your LiteGait device. The serial number provides us

access to technical information regarding your device.

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WARNING

LiteGait

Max Height

Max Weight

500E

8 Feet 9 Inches

500 Lbs

500ES

7 Feet 4 Inches

500 Lbs

400E

9 Feet 2 Inches

400 Lbs

400ES

7 Feet 11 Inches

400 Lbs

360E

7 Feet 8 Inches

360 Lbs

Use only under the direct supervision of a

health care professional or caregiver

Brakes should remain locked except when

moving over ground

Operate only on a smooth, level floor

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Dear LiteGait User

Congratulations on your recent purchase of LiteGait, the most innovative gait and balance therapy

training system available today.

Clinical Support

As you know, LiteGait may be used with a wide variety of patient impairment levels and conditions.

If you have questions about the possible uses of LiteGait with particular patients or are in needs of

some ideas for ways to use LiteGait more effectively, please do not hesitate to contact us for

information relating to your individual situation.

Our website also offers valuable information.

Maintenance

Like all quality therapy equipment, LiteGait requires regular inspections.

Attached at the back of this manual is a Maintenance Checklist for your convenience. Please

complete the checklist every 6 months to ensure the efficient, safe and effective operation of the

LiteGait unit. If you should find a problem with a LiteGait part, please contact Technical Support

immediately.

Support Contacts

Rehab Technology Pty Ltd distributes LiteGait throughout Australia & New Zealand:

Technical Support

Telephone 1300 60 99 50

support@rehabtechnology.com.au

Clinical Support

Telephone 1300 60 99 50

support@rehabtechnology.com.au

Customer Support

Telephone 1300 60 99 50

sales@rehabtechnology.com.au

Website

www.LiteGait.com

www.rehabtechnology.com.au

User Forum

www.LiteGait.org

Rehab Technology Pty Ltd

Telephone 1300 60 99 50 Email info@rehabtechnology.com.au Website www.rehabtechnology.com.au

ABN 42 109 553 264

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UNPACKING AND ASSEMBLY

Tools Required:

Scissors

1/2 inch socket or open-end wrench

5/16 inch Allen wrench (provided)

LiteGait I Assembly Instructions:

TWO PEOPLE ARE REQUIRED FOR SAFE ASSEMBLY

Read below & follow pictures on the following pages:

Note: The LiteGait in the photos may not look like yours, but the steps are the same.

1. Inspect shipment and note any visual damage to box and/or crate

2. Remove screw located at the bottom of crate

3. Lift off exterior box in order to expose equipment

4. Loosen handle bar knobs and raise handle bars

5. Remove cardboard box, (CAUTION: DO NOT USE UTILITY KNIFE TO OPEN BOX)

6. Inspect contents of card board box for damage

7. Carefully cut all black plastic straps.

8. Free and remove base with two people.

9. Set base over pallet as pictured with actuator next to base.

10. Cut packaging from base.

11. Locate and remove hand switch from inside base, set aside next to control box.

12. Remove covers for battery compartment and control box cover; set aside.

13. Locate 4 black steel bolts and Allen wrench in small box.

14. If black bolts are in base, remove with Allen wrench provided.

15. Locate bolts holding actuator to pallet. Undo bolts with ½ inch socket or wrench,

loosen actuator from pallet with one person holding the actuator steady while

loose.

16. Lower handlebar base on actuator and tighten knobs before lifting.

17. Ensure base is ready for positioning actuator.

18. Two people lift actuator from pallet to base.

19. Orient the actuator on the base (the yoke arms and handlebars point in the same

direction as the base legs). Line up the holes for bolts to be inserted.

20. Insert bolts, hand tighten bolts (ensure one person holds actuator steady until

secure).

21. The 5/16 inch Allen wrench may be used to tighten bolts (careful not to over tighten).

22. Line up actuator connector, and insert actuator connector.

23. Twist/release the red button; check 4-bar battery indicator on control box.

24. Verify connection and operation by moving actuator up/down by pressing the arrows

on the hand switch.

25. If hand switch fails to operate the actuator, check connections to control box.

26. Carefully remove all shrink-wrap from the unit.

27. Verify performance of each locking and directional caster.

28. Feel free to call 1-800-332-9255 Extension 7104 for Mobility Research Support

during this assembly.

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1. Inspect box for damage 2. Undo base boards screws

3. Remove box and set

aside

Expose & examine content

4. Loosen knobs

5. Remove box

Open box (CAUTION: DO

NOT USE UTILITY KNIFE)

6. Inventory box content

7. Cut straps

Cut straps

8. Free and remove base

9. Free and remove base

11. Locate and remove

hand switch

Move hand switch to side

12. Remove covers; set

aside

10. Cut packaging from

base

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13. Ready base for actuator

15. Remove bolts; ½” wrench

16. Lower Handlebar base;

secure

18. 2 people raise actuator

19. Set actuator on base

Line up holes; insert bolts

20. Hand tighten

21. ½”wrench; don’t over tighten

22. Line up actuator connector

Insert actuator connector

23. Release Red EMO button

4 battery indicator bars

24. Test raise actuator up/down

Unwrap casters

26. Remove shrink wrap; Do Not use knife! Scissors if necessary, avoid cutting socks

27. Directional-Lock caster

Locking caster

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Pull up to unlock casters

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ABOUT YOUR UNIT

LiteGait® is comprised of several parts:

YOKE: The yoke is a Y-shaped piece that has four female buckles at the ends. It is

attached to the actuator with a flat plate secured by four bolts.

OVERHEAD STRAPS: The overhead straps consist of four 44” long adjustable straps

with male connectors at one end and padded female buckles at the opposite end.

The male connectors attach to the yoke buckles and the female buckles attach to the

harness. The overhead straps provide postural support for the patient.

HARNESS/GROIN PIECE: The harness is an adjustable wrap with a buckle closure in

the front and three adjustable straps on each side. There are four male connectors

at the top of the harness that attach into the female buckles of the overhead straps.

The four female buckles at the bottom of the harness allow for the connection of the

groin piece. The H-shaped stitching on the groin piece denotes the top (or body

side) of the piece.

ACTUATOR: The actuator is the mechanism that raises and lowers the yoke. It

consists of a concentric expanding and retracting square tower that houses the DC

motors, gearing and the screw mechanism. It also provides the structural base to

which the adjustable handlebars are attached.

CONTROL UNIT: The control unit is the junction box for the battery power, handheld

switch and contains electrical safety protection circuitry. It is located within a

compartment of the actuator. The battery pack connects to this unit and is also

located within a compartment of the actuator.

HANDLEBARS: Your unit has two adjustable handlebars.

The handle bars are

attached to the unit using two knobs. (Note: Over tightening the knobs may cause

damage)

BASE: The base consists of two horizontal bars connected by two U-shaped tubes.

The base has an open end and a closed end where the actuator and battery pack

are placed. The base moves freely over ground or can be locked into place during

use over a treadmill. However, your unit must be locked into place at all other times.

CASTERS: Four casters are attached to the base. Two locks on one side of the base

are locking brakes and the two on the opposite side are directional locks. Be certain

to lock both caster brakes when using the unit over a treadmill or when connecting

the patient to the unit. NEVER leave the patient unattended in the unit.

BISYM (Optional): The BiSym Scale is installed on top of the actuator and provides a

display of the pounds/kilograms of support provided by each arm of the yoke. The

load cells that are installed in the yoke sense the load on the yoke and feed it to the

BiSym Scale for processing and display.

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ASSEMBLY DIAGRAM

Drop-Down Yoke

Buckle Assemblies

Actuator

Handle Bar Assembly

Battery

Compartment

Control Unit

Base

Frame

Total Locking Casters

Directional Locking Casters

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USING YOUR LiteGait®

How to adjust the height of the yoke

The LiteGait powered yoke is raised and lowered by a hand- held switch with two

up and two down arrows.

Raising the yoke: Verify that LiteGait has clearance above the yoke. Press the

up arrows on the hand-held remote switch. Release the button when the yoke is

at the desired height.

Lowering the yoke: Verify that LiteGait has clearance below the yoke. Press

the down arrows on the hand-held remote switch. Release the button when the

yoke lowers to the desired height. Maintain at least 5" clearance above the

patient's head.

Drop-Down Yoke

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USING YOUR LiteGait®

Overhead Buckles and Straps

Each of your unit’s four straps can be individually adjusted. Adjust each strap to

assure that the patient is in a fully upright position in the correct posture for

walking.

1. To tighten straps:

With one hand pull up on the strap attached to the harness.

With the other hand, pull down on the free end of the strap.

2. To loosen straps:

With one hand, hold the overhead buckle outwards.

With the other hand pull down on the part of the strap attached to

the harness.

3. To prevent the patient leaning to one side, e.g. right side:

Tighten the front and back straps on the right side.

4. To prevent the patient from leaning forward:

Tighten the right and left FRONT straps.

5. To prevent the patient from leaning backward:

Tighten the right and left BACK straps.

3. To prevent the patient leaning to one side, e.g. right side:

Tighten the front and back straps on the right side.

4. To prevent the patient from leaning forward:

Tighten the right and left FRONT straps.

5. To prevent the patient from leaning backwards:

Tighten the right and left BACK straps

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USING YOUR LiteGait®

Harness Application

Harness and Groin Piece Preparation

1. Pick the appropriate harness and groin piece for the patient (based on patient girth).

2. Estimate the harness girth before placing on the patient by folding the harness in half

so that the ends meet. Then, hold the harness in front of the torso to estimate the width

from one side of the body to the other.

3. Tighten or loosen the 3 rows of side straps on each side of the harness. (To loosen

the side straps lightly pull up on the black tabs on the side buckles.)

4. Keep the harness folded in half and align the top buckles so that they are adjacent

with each other.

5. Take the groin piece and adjust the groin strap padding towards the center of the

strap before putting it on.

6. Adjust the front groin straps so they are equal in length.

7. Adjust the back groin straps so they are equal in length.

8. Attach the groin piece to the back of the harness.

9. The side of the groin piece with the H-outline stitching (most padded) will go against

the patient’s body.

How to put on the Harness

The harness was designed to support a patient in an upright position, allowing for full hip

extension. This upright posture plays a critical role in the effectiveness of the gait

therapy performed with partial weight bearing.

The front of the harness wrap refers to the point at which the two ends of the harness

meet. The harness can be worn with the closure either in the front or in the back. There

are four buckles on the top and bottom of the harness wrap. The four top buckles

extend beyond the harness from the top seam and attach to the LiteGait straps. The

bottom four buckles attach to the groin piece and do not extend past the bottom seam of

the harness.

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USING YOUR LiteGait®

Harness Application in Supine (Laying on Back)

1. Patient should be lying down on his/her back.

2. Place one end of the harness on the mid‐lower abdomen.

3. Roll the patient on his/her side away from you.

4. Place the harness on the center of his/her back so that the top buckles are equal distances

from the spine.

5. Place the lowest harness side strap over the greater trochanter. The greater trochanter is a

boney prominence on the side of the upper leg approximately on patient’s hand length below

the waist.

6. Pass the groin piece between the legs to the front.

7. Tighten the groin piece at the back leaving enough length for the front to attach.

8. Hold the harness with your hand.

9. Roll the patient back onto his/her back.

10. Wrap the harness to meet the other end in front.

11. Attach the front buckles.

12. Check the midline position of the harness by feeling for both upper buckles behind the

patient’s back. (They should be the same distance from the spine.)

13. Rotate the harness to adjust, if necessary.

14. Tighten the lower side straps first, as symmetrically as possible. These straps are crucial to

the proper distribution of the patient’s weight and should be as tight as possible. To ensure a

snug fit, pull the strap closest to the body towards its black plastic buckle with one hand while

pulling the free end with your other hand until you cannot pull anymore.

15. Tighten the middle and upper side straps. Make sure to tighten both sides symmetrically

(equally) so that an equal strap length remains on each side. These should be as tight as the

patient can tolerate without discomfort. The top strap should not interfere with breathing.

Bulges of fatty tissue should be apparent (visible on most patients) as the harness is tightened.

These bulges are very important and will allow the harness to securely grab onto the soft tissue

of the abdomen, keeping the harness securely in place throughout the training.

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USING YOUR LiteGait®

Harness Application While Standing

1. Wrap the harness around the patient’s torso.

2. Place the lowest strap over the greater trochanter.

3. Attach the front buckles.

4. Tighten the lowest straps first (see Tightening side straps section).

5. Attach the groin piece (see Groin piece attachment section).

Groin Piece Attachment

1. Attach the groin piece to the front harness buckles. The stitched side of the groin piece

should be facing up against the body.

2. Hold the padded part of one end of the groin piece with one hand.

3. Pull it against the patient’s leg. Keep holding it while the other hand pulls the free end of

the groin strap.

4. Tighten the groin strap snugly so there is NO slack.

5. Repeat on the other side.

6. Pull out any wrinkles or bunching from the patient’s clothing.

7. Sit the patient up or stand the patient, if safe

ENSURE AT ALL TIMES THAT THE BOTTOM STRAP OF

THE HARNESS IS AT THE LEVEL OF THE GREATER

TROCHANTER (HIP JOINT CREASE).

Contrary to what may seem reasonable, a loose groin piece DOES

NOT impart greater comfort to the patient, but allows the harness to

slide up the trunk, putting unwanted load/force on the groin area.

Tighten the groin strap so that no slack remains in the straps. This

assures that the harness will not ride up on the patient.

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USING YOUR LiteGait®

How to Connect the Harness to your LiteGait

1. Lock the caster brakes.

2. Adjust the yoke to the correct position, giving the patient approximately 5-6 inches of

head clearance.

3. Extend the overhead straps until they are long enough to reach the upper connection

on the harness. Attach the four buckles that hang from the overhead straps to the

appropriate buckles on the harness. Pull on the straps until taut.

4. With the patient in the harness, bring the patient into a standing position directly

under the yoke buckles. Have the patient hold the handlebars. Adjust the handlebar

height to suit the patient.

5. Your unit can now be used for over ground therapy, or to assist the patient in

stepping onto the treadmill.

6. With higher level patients, the unit may be positioned over the treadmill before the

patient is buckled into place.

NOTE: Under no circumstances should a patient have

ALL the weight removed from the legs for more than two

minutes at a time.

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USING YOUR LiteGait®

Control Unit

Control Box is the junction box (connecting point) for LiteGait power system. The

actuator cord(s), the handheld switch, the battery, and the power cord all plug

into this unit. It is located in the base opposite to the battery side and is equiped

with a red STOP button for emergency shut down. Press this button to cut the

power to the actuator and stop all movements or lifting action. Twist the red

button to power up before using the lift mechanism.

On the control box there is a small digial display which notifies you of the

remaining battery life. It will indicate a fully charged battery with four bars. Once

the battery charge is depleted to below 50% a plug icon appears in the display

suggesting it is time to recharge the batteries. Below 25% charge the word

STOP appears on the display.

In order for the contorl box and LiteGait to work, the charging cord must be

unplugged from the wall, the red button must be released and the battery must

be charged.

Red Stop Button

Battery Monitor

Hand Switch

Actuator Cord 1

Charging Cord

Actuator Cord 2

Battery

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USING YOUR LiteGait®

Adjusting the Handlebars

Raising and lowering the handle bars: Loosen each knob in equal portions.

The knobs should only need to be turned once to free the handle bars. Once the

knobs are loosened slide the handle bars to the desired height. Hand tighten

both knobs equally. Again, the knobs should only need to be tightened one

rotation.

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USING YOUR LiteGait®

Base and Casters

Total‐Lock Caster

LiteGait is equipped with four or six casters. Half are total‐lock casters and half directional lock

casters. Each leg has one type of caster and it is clearly marked. Directional lock casters have a

green or black brake lever. Standard casters have a gray or silver brake lever.

To lock the total‐lock casters press the caster brake until you feel the brake snap into place.

The caster brakes should be locked whenever the LiteGait is not being moved over the ground.

CAUTION: While locking the casters prevents rolling of the unit, it

does not prevent the unit from sliding on a sloped, slippery floor.

The unit should only be used on a flat floor and away from stairs

and ramps. NEVER leave a patient unattended in the unit.

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USING YOUR LiteGait®

Base and Casters

Directional‐Lock Caster

Directional lock casters facilitate rolling the device back and forth over a treadmill

or down a hallway. The directional lock casters will have a green brake. Once

the unit is positioned over a treadmill, all four caster brakes need to be locked.

1. Position LiteGait near the treadmill (or where you wish the patient to begin

walking).

2. Roll LiteGait towards the front of the treadmill, until the casters line up parallel

to the treadmill (or parallel to the path the patient will follow—a hallway for

example).

3. Press the directional locks. This will prevent the caster from swiveling.

4. LiteGait can now be easily rolled back and forth over the treadmill or on a

straight path in the therapy room or hallway.

NOTE: When walking patients over ground, first

establish the direction of movement, then lock the

directional casters to ensure the best performance.

To move in the opposite direction, release the caster

brakes and re-establish the direction of movement.

That is, allow the casters to follow the movement rather

than lead it.

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