- Strong price-performance ratio, fast availability, designed and built in Germany and now another plus point: our own aid number 18.99.03.2035
- The light multifunctional electric wheelchair with standing, lying, sitting and canted function is an important gap in the PR electric wheelchair series
- Stefan Ludwig Head of Wheelchair Systems at PARAVAN GmbH: "The health insurance companies refer to the catalogue of aids and appliances for approval. Now the PR 40 can be found there, which makes our work easier".
Pfronstetten-Aichelau, August 7, 2020: Being dependent on a wheelchair is not necessarily a good feeling, but it is a good feeling to be able to get into a vertical position with your everyday companion and take a good breath. To finally be able to communicate at eye level again while standing or to reach the top shelf, which seems unreachable from a sitting perspective, this vision has already become reality for the users of the PARAVAN PR 40 electric wheelchair. The path to this goal is now much easier. Since June 2020, the PR 40 has had an aid number - 18.99.03.2035 - and can therefore be prescribed by a doctor if there is an indication for it.
Since its market launch in April one year ago, the PR 40 standing wheelchair could only be prescribed with a so-called "approval in individual cases". The path to approval was a difficult and often stony one. "It's getting easier now," says Stefan Ludwig, Head of Wheelchair Systems at PARAVAN GmbH. "The health insurance companies usually refer to the catalogue of aids for approval. Now the PR 40 can be found there, which makes our employees' work much easier".
Without an aid number it is difficult, the PARAVAN field staff report to the wheelchair department. "Up to now we could only make recommendations", reports Matthias Enneper, sales representative for the southern area. "Without an aid number, neither clinics nor medical supply stores can find the product in the aid catalogue. What had a very positive effect was the price. With an entry-level price of 23,500 euros - ready to drive - the PR 40 represents a real alternative in the lower price segment. "The decision-makers have recognized this, and so we were able to place the product on the market well last year, even without an aid number," reports Ludwig. "Now, of course, the conditions are much better and acceptance and interest are growing noticeably.
The PR 40 is a light multifunctional electric wheelchair with standing, lying, sitting and tilting functions to the back and front as well as electric leg angle adjustment with length compensation. With an outer width of 64 centimetres and suspension, it is extremely manoeuvrable. It is available in elegant black or in one of six other fresh colours. The new member of the PARAVAN-PR wheelchair family was developed very closely to the needs of the market and customers. "Developed and built in Germany in the Swabian tinkerer's way, with top service and after-sales management and a 14-day delivery time," says Ludwig.
With programmable standing curve and R-Net control, the PR 40 is fully functional even in the basic version. In addition, the standing wheelchair impresses with a very low seat height, high stability, low-noise drive and adjustment motors, individually sprung rear axles as well as an above-average range, thanks to the standard powerful batteries with 85 Ah. "The biometric sliding backrest, which was newly developed in this context, is another product highlight," emphasizes Ludwig. "When standing up, the adapted seat remains in the optimum position." The PR 40 is supplied with a standing curve that can be individually adapted and programmed to suit the customer. Further positions can be stored using the memory function of the control unit, for example for entering the car. The PR 40 also closes an important gap in the PARAVAN PR electric wheelchair series, which has now grown to seven models.
The wheelchair is suitable for all customers from ten years of age up to old age, for neurological care such as multiple sclerosis (MS), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or muscular dystrophies as well as for all those with paralysis (para or tetraplegics). The PR 40 is an important vehicle for approaching the topic. "Many specialist dealers, but also doctors, do not even have the topic of standing on their screens," says Matthias Enneper. "The affected person loses sight of the topic of standing very quickly if he or she is ever dependent on a wheelchair," adds sales representative Martin Tröger, responsible for the South/West region.
Standing up, even if it is only for a short time, has so many positive effects on the organism. "Everything gets going," reports Enneper. "The user becomes much more active, the whole water balance in the body, better bladder emptying, the bowel movement, but also the blood circulation or the whole central and vegetative nervous system". Initially, the experts say, circulation problems may occur, but this situation improves very quickly in most cases. In addition, people's perception is completely different than when they are sitting down. For some customers, the chair with the standing function enables them to do their job again or much better.
Matthias Enneper reports on a severely brain-injured patient who showed almost no reactions when lying down or sitting. In a standing wheelchair he was suddenly able to perceive his surroundings again and showed first reactions. "We are fighting for the chair now." But also for stroke patients, for example, the PR 40 is a very important possibility of mobilization and another important step towards active participation in everyday life. The PR 40 also closes an important gap in the PR electric wheelchair series.