Re: helix

Re: helix

Karen Steele

8/16/2000

Dear list -

I'm not an orthotist - I'm an engineer and a brace-wearer - although I did
finish the Orthotics Certificate Program at Northwestern and complete my 250
clinical hours....

I don't get it. What's the problem with the helix/double helix
construction? I know it looks different than conventional orthoses, and the
guys who are building and supplying it seem to have over-inflated egos and
over-inflated prices, but first, What does the new design promise over
conventional designs? and DOES THE HARDWARE FUNCTION AS PROMISED? If it
does, then shouldn't you ignore the egos and prices and accept the
technological improvements?

It seems to me that the helix/double helix design offers de-rotation, in
addition to energy storage. Both of these are real deficiencies in current
orthoses.

For the sake of your patients, don't throw the idea out just because of the
attitude of the designer. From my experience in engineering, I can tell you
that most guys who come up with novel approaches and ideas have inflated
egos. Doesn't matter what field they practice their trade in. You just
gotta learn to work with em, and ignore 'em when they start annoying you.

I've looked at the virtual gait web page, and found it intriguing. Could
you expand on your . . . . .no comment. . . . . comment?

Thanks,

Karen Steele, MSME, PE

----Original Message Follows----
From: Robert McCulloch < <Email Address Redacted> >
Reply-To: Robert McCulloch < <Email Address Redacted> >
To: <Email Address Redacted>
Subject: helix
Date: Tue, 15 Aug 2000 23:51:56 -0400

To check out the double helix (or even the single helix) orthosis
check here : www.virtualgait.com . . . . . no comment. . .

Bob McCulloch