C-Leg compact Prosthetic System
40 | Ottobock
3.11 Important User Instructions
INFORMATION
Advise your patients of the information in this section.
Safety mode
CAUTION
Non-active safety mode.
If the safety mode can no longer be activated, there is the risk that the patient will fall.
If the C-Leg compact does not switch to the safety mode (e.g. due to short-circuit due to water penetration), the
amputee must actively stabilize the C-Leg compact at heel strike with his/her residual limb muscles until a prosthetist
can be reached or a prosthesis replacement be accomplished.
CAUTION
Danger when activating the safety mode.
Upon activation of the safety mode, the damping behaviour of the joint
changes. In certain situations, this can cause the patient to fall. As soon as the sound and vibration signals go off
simultaneously, the patient must stop all activities with the leg prosthesis. After approximately 10 seconds, and from a
secure standing position, check to see if the safety mode with the high flexion damping has been activated by slightly
bending the C-Leg compact repeatedly under controlled weight bearing.
CAUTION
Safety mode cannot be deactivated.
If the joint is exclusively in the safety mode, the joint has a defect. When in this
condition, malfunctions can occur. This can cause the patient to fall. If the safety mode could not be deactivated by
recharging the battery, an error has occurred. Contact your prosthetist for troubleshooting.
Aside from the normal operation mode, the C-Leg compact has a safety mode. As soon as a critical error occurs in
the system or when the battery is almost empty, the C-Leg compact automatically switches to the safety mode. In that
mode, the prosthesis activates a high flexion damping (high safety / reduced comfort), which enables the patient to walk
safely despite a non-active system.
The switch to the safety mode is announced immediately prior to the switch with sound and vibration signals. If the
safety mode was prompted by an empty battery, recharge the battery. The joint will then switch back automatically to
the operation mode.
Battery capacity
During normal operation, the battery capacity is indicated with different vibration signals:
Battery capacity
Vibration impulse
Approx. 1 hour of operation remains
3 ×
Approx. 30 min. of operation remains
5 ×
When turning off
10 ×, then turns off
Safety signal for incorrect connection to the tube adapter
CAUTION
Safety signal occurs.
The safety signal indicates an error of the joint. Malfunctions may occur in this situation.
This can cause the patient to fall.
If the safety signal occurs, discontinue operating the C-Leg compact and resolve the fault by connecting the tube
adapter and re-calibrating (zero setting) the joint (by the prosthetist or service technician). If a contact fault (be-
tween the tube adapter plug and C-Leg compact) has occurred (e.g. following fitting by the prosthetist), send the
knee joint (incl. tube adapter) to an authorised Ottobock Service Centre.
If the tube adapter is somehow disconnected from the C-Leg compact joint while in operation, the C-Leg compact
will emit short beeps and, for approximately five minutes, vibrate with slow, pulsing signals. The C-Leg compact will
activate the safety mode and maintain it until the tube adapter cable is correctly attached (provided the battery capac-
ity remains sufficient).
