Friday, February 8, 2013

Precision Bio-Engineered Manufacturing versus CNC Milling and Plaster Cast Impression Orthotic Manufacturing
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Current Methods of Custom Manufacturing
 
Classic Orthotic Manufacturing using Plaster Casting and Foam Boxes
  • This has been a 70 year old process which is plagued by errors due to the inherent "Art Form".   To this day, the majority of Custom Orthotic manufacturing is still done the same way with the same variable results.
  • This process is reliant on two groups of variables; (1)  The technical skill of the person taking the cast impression and, (2) the skill set in the production laboratory.
  • Other variables which can occur and can effect outcome is shipping damage to the casts. 
 
  • This method uses a digital file from either a positive cast or patients foot.    It is still dependent on the skill of the technician or physician.
  • Advantages are, there is less error from thermopressinig of heated plastic against the balanced positive casts.   In addition, there is no potential damage due to shipping since, the data is 3D digital data which can be transmitted over the Internet.
 


 
 Dual 3D Static & Dynamic Weight Bearing Kinematic Imaging
 
This is a revolutionary process where we are NOT dependent on Neutral Joint Positioning which can be full of potential errors.    Evaluating "Dynamic Function" is critical in our process.
  1. Step 1   We do not rely on a palpated rearfoot to forefoot process.   Instead, we capture the feet in a 3D Weight Bearing Relaxed Stance (Relaxed Caccaneal Stance) Position.   The reason is that this is truly reproducible and stable  and is used as a starting point for a "recalculated Neutral Position which is based from a Dynamic Analysis.
  2. Step 2   We then capture the patients dynamic gait (Heel Contact - Midstance - and Propulsive Phases) and we analyze Seven (7) unique Static and Dynamic 3D properties.  The end result is Dynamic Precision Gait Control based on the analysis of;  
Mass Displacement Analysis
Motion Analysis (Velocity of Joint Motion)
Body Balance (all three body planes)
Pressure Analysis (Linear and Sheer Pressure)
Gait Analysis
Symmetry
3D Plantar Geometry