Once in a blue moon an item crosses my path that deserves attention. Computer Aided Drafting is an item that has been in use for years. All the Big Three automobile manufactures use CAD in the making of their automobiles. The system is in use in almost every type of manufacturing in the world. It only stands to reason that someone would come up with the idea to use it to make prosthetic devices.
Every amputee knows the process for making a new leg or arm. The first and most complex steps are the casting of the residual limb. A new age is upon us as we look to the next step in limb manufacturing. CAD systems are on the cutting edge. This system does not use plaster to make a cast of the limb. It traces the stump and then makes an exact copy of it out of foam. The small hand-held device, puts the power of the computer to work to form an exact copy of the stump.
Most of you know that each and every prosthesis is trained to mold and shape the plaster cast to conform exactly to your stump. The fact that there is a human involved results in mistakes. The CAD system eliminates this and allows the prosthesis the latitude to make modifications on the computer screen before the socket is produced. This saves not only time, but doing it with the patient in the office gives a better fit form the start. Nothing is lost in the fabrication process. This type of "active system" allows the use of less manpower to build the initial socket. Not that this type of system will save any money that is not the point, the point is a better fit. And because the patient is there through the process, the tech is able to palpitate the residual limb and precisely make modifications as the process progresses
Anyone who wears an artificial limb should have this system build you next appendage. Although not widely available, it is becoming more and more common as persons with disAbilities strive for a better life. The CAD system works on any type of amputation. The tech is not only able to look at the static limb, but also at the limb throughout the range of motion. This allows the tech to gain insight on how the fit will be at different angles of movement. This allows for more precise fitting on any type socket. True skeletal fit technology is just around the corner for all amputees. It will be wonderful to walk without pain, to be able to run, dance, and walk up steps without having to take them one at a time.
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