Invacare 2012 Annual Report Download - page 18

Product liability reserves are recorded for individual claims based upon historical experience, industry
expertise and indications from the third-party actuary. Additional reserves, in excess of the specific individual
case reserves, are provided for incurred but not reported claims based upon actuarial valuations at the time such
valuations are conducted. Historical claims experience and other assumptions are taken into consideration to
estimate the ultimate reserves. For example, the actuarial analysis assumes that historical loss experience is an
indicator of future experience, that the distribution of exposures by geographic area and nature of operations for
ongoing operations is expected to be very similar to historical operations with no dramatic changes and that the
government indices used to trend losses and exposures are appropriate. Estimates made are adjusted on a regular
basis and can be impacted by actual loss awards and settlements on claims. While actuarial analysis is used to
help determine adequate reserves, the company is responsible for the determination and recording of adequate
reserves in accordance with accepted loss reserving standards and practices.
PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT AND ENGINEERING
In 2012, Invacare suspended most new product development, so that the majority of its design engineering
team could focus on its quality systems remediation. However, the company was proud to introduce select
products that improve upon and renew its current offerings. The following are some of Invacare’s notable new
products for 2012:
• The Invacare®Myon™ Medium-Active wheelchair is a comfortable, foldable, lightweight wheelchair that
is suited for everyday use. Key features of this wheelchair are increased center of gravity positioning,
increased seat depth and seat width. It is a shared platform with other models in the Myon™family which
means that therapists and dealers can maximize opportunities for modularity and personalized
adjustments for the consumer. The Myon™wheelchair is based off of a successful Invacare platform in
Europe. It was customized and launched in Canada in 2011 and in the United States in 2012.
• The Invacare®Medley®Ergo bed represents a new generation of homecare beds in Europe and Asia/
Pacific. The completely new bed deck has been designed to meet the physiognomic needs of 95% of the
population making it a highly ergonomic solution for the majority of consumers. The bed fully complies
with the new safety standards, especially focusing on reducing the risk of entrapment. A wide range of
available accessories and the modern, wooden bed ends makes this bed the preferred solution for
providers and patients.
• The Invacare®Alegio™ NG bed shares the ergonomically designed bed deck with the Invacare Medley®
Ergo bed but also features an auto-contour back-support for even higher usability for the caregiver. The
scissor lifting bed is targeting the homecare and long-term care markets in Europe and Asia/Pacific and
can be equipped with a wide range of side rails that are all fully compliant to the new IEC 60601-2-52
safety standard to lower the risk of entrapment.
• The Küschall®Advance™ wheelchair is the first wheelchair developed by Küschall around the seat plate.
The seat is at the heart of this wheelchair and everything else is designed around it. The rigid seat plate is
made out of carbon and inspires the form and flow of the design. The “advances” super lightweight, super
stiff seat plate results in outstanding driving performance and responsiveness. The design also follows the
natural contour of the consumer’s body helping pressure distribution and comfort level. The Küschall®
Advance™also is configured and adjustable for the consumer’s needs with step less adjustability. This
saves time and improves the accuracy of measurements. The quick release feature of the front frame
allows consumers to change out color/size of frame without needing a new wheelchair and also lends
itself to easy transport and transfer.
• The Invacare®Top End®Force™ CC hand cycle is the first off road hand cycle to be designed by Top
End. This lightweight, robust design includes mountain bike tires, extreme climbing gears and disc brakes
for recreational hand cyclists.
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