Biomaster

RBR legﬂow™

Combining Purposeful Movement with Built-In Antimicrobial Product Protection

RBR legflow is a clinically researched, portable medical device designed to encourage lower-limb movement during periods of sitting. By incorporating Biomaster antimicrobial technology into the product material, RBR has added built-in product protection against microbial growth on the treated surface as part of the device’s overall design.

The Product

RBR legflow was developed to provide a simple and accessible way for people to carry out foot and lower-leg movements while seated. The compact device is positioned on the floor beneath the user’s feet and features two rounded domes with patented nodules. The device supports three straightforward exercises.

The product was created by Paul Westerman following his own experience of a massive pulmonary embolism caused by a deep vein thrombosis. That experience helped shape RBR’s ambition to raise awareness of the risks associated with prolonged inactivity and to develop a practical device that could encourage movement across a range of sedentary environments.

RBR has worked with clinical specialists, including researchers associated with the Medical Research Institute of New Zealand, during the development and evaluation of the product. RBR reports that its research measured an 11-fold increase in popliteal venous blood-flow velocity during use, from 4.6 cm/s to 63.3 cm/s in adults seated in office chairs. The device is intended for settings that can include workplaces, travel, gaming, healthcare, care environments and the home.

The Challenge

RBR needed the product to combine purposeful movement with the practical qualities required for regular, real-world use. It had to be portable, durable and straightforward, while retaining a design that could support repeated contact with the feet and movement between different environments.

Product-surface hygiene was an additional consideration. RBR legflow may be handled regularly, stored beneath a desk, packed for travel or used in environments where equipment can potentially be shared. The device may also come into contact with shoes, socks or bare feet. Although appropriate cleaning remains essential, RBR wanted antimicrobial product protection to form part of the device itself rather than depend on a temporary treatment applied after manufacture.

The antimicrobial solution therefore needed to be compatible with the selected material and production process. It also had to provide consistent performance without changing the appearance, function or user experience of the finished device.

The Solution

RBR selected Biomaster silver-ion antimicrobial technology for incorporation into the material used to manufacture legflow. Because Biomaster is added during production, the antimicrobial product protection becomes an integral feature of the treated product rather than an after-market coating that needs to be reapplied.

On the treated surface, Biomaster silver ions act at multiple sites within susceptible microbial cells, interfering with essential processes and helping to inhibit their growth. When correctly formulated and incorporated, the technology is designed to provide antimicrobial product protection for the effective lifetime of the material.

Addmaster supported the integration of Biomaster into the product specification, helping RBR consider the material, manufacturing conditions, required performance and appropriate product-protection claims. This development-stage approach allowed antimicrobial performance to be considered alongside the device’s physical design, durability and intended use.

Biomaster complements normal cleaning and hygiene practices. It does not make RBR legflow sterile, replace cleaning or provide a direct medical benefit to the user. Its defined role is to inhibit microbial growth on the treated product surface.

The Results

The resulting RBR legflow brings together purposeful physical design, clinical research and built-in antimicrobial product protection in one compact device. By considering antimicrobial technology during development, RBR created a product in which the hygiene-related feature is part of the material and does not require an additional user action or repeated application.

This strengthens the product story across RBR’s target environments. Whether legflow is positioned for workplaces, travel, gaming, healthcare, care settings or the home, RBR can communicate a consistent message about considered design, portability and treated-surface protection.

The partnership also supports RBR’s positioning as a company that has looked beyond the device’s primary function to consider how the product will be handled, maintained and used over time. Biomaster provides a clearly defined additional feature that complements the clinical and practical foundations of the RBR legflow proposition.

“We wanted RBR legflow to combine purposeful movement with a practical design suited to regular use across different environments. Incorporating Biomaster into the product material allowed us to add built-in antimicrobial product protection without changing the simplicity of the device. It is another example of how we have considered the complete user and product experience during development.” Paul Westerman, Director, RBR Active

“RBR legflow demonstrates the value of considering antimicrobial performance at the product-development stage. By incorporating Biomaster into the material, RBR has made treated-surface protection part of the product itself, supporting a strong and clearly differentiated story around thoughtful medical-device design.” Paul Willocks, Global Marketing Director, Addmaster

For more information about the RBR legﬂow™ CLICK HERE