Introducing the Savant 2: Total Head Positioning System
- Marketing
- May 25
- 4 min read
The best in total head positioning just got better.
For decades, the Savant has been the definitive solution for complete head positioning, trusted by clinicians worldwide as the leading choice for supporting the head and neck in wheelchair users with complex positioning needs. Used extensively with individuals living with ALS, Muscular Dystrophy, and anyone requiring full head support and control, the Savant has earned its place as the standard of care in total head positioning.
Today, Symmetric Designs is proud to introduce the Savant 2: a refined, second-generation system that builds on that legacy with three meaningful hardware and materials updates; new Fidlock buckles, a redesigned low-profile anterior head strap, and softer gel pad arms.
What's New in the Savant 2?
1. FIDLOCK MAGNETIC BUCKLES
The Savant 2 replaces the original buckle hardware with Fidlock magnetic quick-release buckles. Fidlock is a precision German buckle system widely used in medical and assistive technology applications for its reliability and ease of operation.
The key benefit: Fidlock buckles open and close with a single-handed motion, making donning and doffing the anterior head strap significantly faster and easier for caregivers. Critically, the buckles retain strap tension when released and reattached, meaning once the strap has been fitted correctly to the user, it returns to exactly that same tension when reattached. This eliminates the need for daily readjustment and ensures consistent positioning across transfers and throughout the day. For users with ALS or other progressive conditions where consistent, reliable positioning is clinically important, this is a significant practical improvement.
2. LOW-PROFILE ANTERIOR HEAD STRAP
The anterior head strap, which provides frontal support across the forehead, has been redesigned with a lower profile. The strap features a padded sleeve with a low-shear Lycra covering over stretch air mesh, replacing the earlier strap construction.
The low-shear Lycra surface reduces friction and skin stress for users who experience any head movement against the strap. The stretch air mesh underneath allows air to circulate against the forehead, improving the microclimate and reducing heat and moisture under the strap during extended use. The combined result is a strap that is more comfortable for long wearing times and gentler on the skin.
3. SOFTER GEL PAD ARMS
The Savant's lateral and sub-occipital pad arms have always been filled with silicone gel to provide a comfortable, conforming support surface. In the Savant 2, the gel formulation has been updated: the pads are now noticeably softer, offering improved pressure redistribution across the contact areas of the head.
In addition to the softer feel, the updated gel material does not retain heat to the same degree as the previous formulation. This addresses one of the more common comfort concerns raised by users who wear the Savant for extended periods: warmth building up where the pads contact the head. The new material dissipates heat more effectively, keeping the support cooler and more comfortable throughout the day.
Who the Savant 2 Is For
The Savant 2 is the appropriate choice for any wheelchair user who requires total head positioning meaning support that holds and guides the head in multiple planes simultaneously.
This includes:
People living with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), where progressive loss of neck muscle strength leads to an inability to hold the head upright independently. The Savant provides the circumferential support needed as positioning requirements increase over time.
Individuals with Muscular Dystrophy, particularly those in later stages where head control is significantly impaired. The Savant's custom-mouldable silicone gel conforms to each user's head contours, distributing pressure across a larger surface area than rigid alternatives.
Anyone with high cervical spinal cord injury, significant acquired brain injury, advanced neurological conditions, or other diagnoses resulting in reduced or absent voluntary head control.
The Savant 2 is available in three sizes; Pediatric, Small, and Adult, and in multiple arm configurations (top arm, bottom arm, or both) to suit the full range of positioning requirements. Custom configurations are also available through the Savant Custom Order Form.
Everything That Made the Original Great, Preserved
The Savant 2 retains all the core characteristics that have made the Savant the clinician's first choice for total head positioning for decades. The custom-mouldable silicone gel construction remains, each Savant is shaped by hand to the individual user's head contours, providing a personalised fit that no off-the-shelf system can match. The system still attaches to standard three-point headrest hardware, and is compatible with the full range of Symmetric Designs mounting hardware including APEX Dual Offset, TWIN, and Infinity Link systems.
The Savant + Carbon Cover option adds a low-shear vinyl cover for reduced friction and easier infection control remains available as on option for the Savant 2.
Learn More or Order
The Savant 2 is available through Symmetric Designs distributors worldwide. Visit the Savant 2 page for full specifications, sizing information, and configuration options.
To order a custom Savant 2 configuration download the Custom Savant Order Form directly from the product page.
For distributor contacts in your region see the Distributors page.
