Cat-2 success, finally

[mdin2010]

Hi Everyone,
I have a small collection of the devices used for amputation reversal - the older ones such as taped weighted tugger and taped slide tube - as well as DTR, TLC-X, and Cat-2. Of these, Cat-2 was the most challenging. I tried to use it like the DTR, but the retainer is quite different, which caused the initial failures. DTR has a retaining film with holes. You don't have to pull skin all the way over the cup for the retainer/film to hold onto it. But CAT-2 has a smooth film/retaining layer, without "gripper" holes that the DTR has. With Cat-2 I found that pushing the plunger down "bunches" skin higher onto the bell. Then, very dexteriously, move the retainer over the cup, without movinig the skin downward on any side. Then hold gently and start to pull up the rod. It is the skin towards the tip of the bell that likely keep the "hold" and thus no slippage. I put Cat-2 up to a "field test" today and it help for several hours, during walking, rushing across streets, sitting down to a beer with some ladies, and so on. All these devices, so far seem to be workable, but their mechanisms can vary a bit. Be gentle and patient, unlike myself. All these devices can have thread (I use dental tape) and a safety pin attached to the underwear should they happen to come loose. Even the TLC retaining cone can be threaded, although I used a curved surgical needle to pierce through the outside edge without transversing to the inside. Hope this helps.
All the best,
Bob

[chobbs]

When I apply the CAT II, I reverse the gripper, and then roll the skin up. From there I can push down on the gripper and it will hold the rolled up skin in place and if you keep pushing it gradually grabs more skin until it flips the gripper back to normal. I found this much easier than trying to slide the gripper onto the skin.

- Chris

[normalizer]

There are pics or videos on the CAT IIQ website which demonstrate proper usage.