Introducing ACOR's 3-Dpedia Scanning System
| Introduction | Shape | Pressure |
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Introduction to the 3-Dpedia Scanner
Acor Orthopaedic has teamed with biomedical researchers at DIApedia to develop the most advanced foot orthotic system available to practitioners today. This state of the art 3D foot scanner system offers the flexibility of two methods of data capture consisting of:
1) an advanced version of the traditional method of shape capture and
2) a revolutionary and patented version of shape and pressure data capture.
SHAPE
Multi-directional 3D scanning technology -
The "shape only" system is comprised of a true 3D multi-directional scanner that accurately gathers the patients' foot shape. This is superior to uni-directional or single plane traditional scanning systems. Traditional systems scan on a single plane and miss the critical lateral and medial aspects of the foot which are necessary elements for the production of accurate well-fitting orthopedic appliances. Without the multi-directional 3D data the design software is forced to "guess" at filling in the blanks of missing data. This leads to inaccuracies on the completed product and uncomfortable ill-fitting foot orthotics.
Prior to the Acor-DIApedia system the only method of obtaining complete 3D data from multiple directions was by using multiple scanning devices. Although effective, this technique was cost prohibitive and not useful to the practitioner due to cost constraints.
The Acor-DIApedia system captures three scans of the patients' foot from three different directions. One scan is in line with the target, and the other two are at equal and opposite angles to the first (e.g., + and - 45 degrees). The three scans are merged together to create a true 3D image of the foot for accurate CAD-CAM milling. Since this is done with one scanning device, the cost of obtaining a truly accurate image digitally is greatly reduced from traditional
multi-directional scanning systems.
Pressure
Integration of dynamic plantar pressure in foot orthotic design -
Acor Orthopaedic's research team, however, did not stop at this one improvement. They believed the orthotic could be further improved by adding a critical missing element to foot orthotic design and manufacturing. That missing element is pressure. We all understand intuitively that pressure by itself cannot provide enough data for an accurate shape of a foot orthotic. Although there are systems on the market today that produce foot orthotics using pressure mapping, it is impossible to determine the exact shape of a patient's foot exclusively with pressure data. The exact arch height and shape of the foot cannot be captured with a pressure map, since computerized guesswork is necessary. However, pressure IS a critical piece of information that will aid in the proper construction of the perfect foot orthotic.
We have achieved the goal of the initial phase of our research program: to combine foot shape with dynamic plantar surface pressure in the design and manufacture of an effective foot orthotic with superior forefoot off-loading performance. To reach this goal, the researchers at DIApedia took on the most difficult of foot problems: the insensate, metatarsal-ulcerated foot. Research funded by the National Institutes of Health focused in this area to determine how much pressure could be placed proximally to the at-risk metatarsal area to off-load the affected foot. By reading the shape file and overlaying the pressure map on that image, an accurate "intervention" can be created that off-loads the affected area to its maximum amount.
The initial research effort culminated with a study performed at the Cleveland Clinic (ref) that conclusively proves this method of combining pressure and shape as superior at off-loading the foot from traditional shape only foot orthotics. This statement is true regardless of how the "shape only" foot orthotic is produced (i.e. hand crafted or CAD-CAM.)
This cost-effective 3D foot scanner system available to you today is capable of providing two different configurations of footwear management. It is your choice which one is best for the patient population in your practice.
1) True Multi-Directional 3D image capture- This is used to manufacture traditional CAD-CAM foot orthotics, AFO Gauntlets and Custom Footwear. This process renders the quality you would expect from a hand-crafted custom product.
2) True Multi-Directional 3D image capture + Pressure mapping- This is used to manufacture a TruContour foot orthotic designed for the insensate foot that is at risk for reoccurrence or initial ulceration in the metatarsal region.
In the future there will be additional applications for the True Multi-Directional 3D image capture + Pressure mapping as the research team develops new advanced design functions. This approach will truly revolutionize foot orthotic design and improve the state of the art by using digital information to surpass current digital limitations or traditional hand crafted methods.