Initial CAD/CAM responses...
Tarrant, James
Description
Collection
Title:
Initial CAD/CAM responses...
Creator:
Tarrant, James
Date:
10/17/2001
Text:
Following are some of the responses to the original posting, which is at the
end of this message.
I have received many requests ensuring that I would post this information,
it would seem there are a number of people/facilities in a similar situation
as ourselves.
My sincere thanks to those people who have taken the time to respond.
I will continue to post replies as they arrive.
James Tarrant
* I have had a tremendous amount of experience with Tracer (300)
TLSO's,AFO's,BK's,AK's, Hip Disartics,Knee braces,Helmets (molds only)
We have 7 patient care centers & a central Fab We love it.
* We have recently begun to use Tracer CAD at our facility. I have
been very impressed with the accuracy and ease of use of the system. As
with anything new there is a learning curve to consider. Many of the hand
skills you have already developed will transfer to the CAD system. Tracer's
spinal section gives you complete control of the model shape and allows
accurate modeling without plaster casts. Tracer will not replace the need
to take impressions. AFO's cannot be traced off the patient because the
system requires the patient to be absoulty still. I have achieved great
results by wrapping a fiberglass (or STS) impression and then scanning the
outside of the impression into the computer as a template. The template can
then be called up, and modified. The AFO modification tools are very good
and allow more accurate control of the model than with plaster.
Tracer CAD is completely portable and comes packed in a specially designed
briefcase which is very rugged. It is helpfull to know that a Tracer scan
can be affected by large metal objects (like a hospital bed or wheelchair).
Scans should always be done with the patient sitting in a non metallic
chair.
In summary, I think Tracer is a great system and performs as advertised.
Look at it as another tool you can use to help your patient.
* Been using Tracer for a year, mostly for spinals and would never go
back. We usually cast, then digitize, modify and carve our models. Get much
more consistency, fewer adjustments/re-dos.
Want to do AFOs but need to get fabrication problems worked out.
Have done some other creative things with it as well.
ORIGINAL POSTING:
We are having a discussion in our facility about the purchase of a CAD
system primarily for orthotic use. We currently use a computerized system
for both prosthetics and foot orthotics. So we are familiar with 'computer'
usage in this environment.
Our goal with the new system is not speed, although timely delivery is a
factor.
Space (lack of), portability and 'plaster free' are some of considerations
that are important to our clinicians.
We have been impressed with the Tracer CAD system but have limited exposure.
One of the major issues, from our perspective, is several orthotists who
have used the system have gone back to using P.O.P.
We are interested in getting in-put from clinicians/technicians who have
'hands on' experience with CAD systems and which CAD systems people find
most appropriate for orthotics.
end of this message.
I have received many requests ensuring that I would post this information,
it would seem there are a number of people/facilities in a similar situation
as ourselves.
My sincere thanks to those people who have taken the time to respond.
I will continue to post replies as they arrive.
James Tarrant
* I have had a tremendous amount of experience with Tracer (300)
TLSO's,AFO's,BK's,AK's, Hip Disartics,Knee braces,Helmets (molds only)
We have 7 patient care centers & a central Fab We love it.
* We have recently begun to use Tracer CAD at our facility. I have
been very impressed with the accuracy and ease of use of the system. As
with anything new there is a learning curve to consider. Many of the hand
skills you have already developed will transfer to the CAD system. Tracer's
spinal section gives you complete control of the model shape and allows
accurate modeling without plaster casts. Tracer will not replace the need
to take impressions. AFO's cannot be traced off the patient because the
system requires the patient to be absoulty still. I have achieved great
results by wrapping a fiberglass (or STS) impression and then scanning the
outside of the impression into the computer as a template. The template can
then be called up, and modified. The AFO modification tools are very good
and allow more accurate control of the model than with plaster.
Tracer CAD is completely portable and comes packed in a specially designed
briefcase which is very rugged. It is helpfull to know that a Tracer scan
can be affected by large metal objects (like a hospital bed or wheelchair).
Scans should always be done with the patient sitting in a non metallic
chair.
In summary, I think Tracer is a great system and performs as advertised.
Look at it as another tool you can use to help your patient.
* Been using Tracer for a year, mostly for spinals and would never go
back. We usually cast, then digitize, modify and carve our models. Get much
more consistency, fewer adjustments/re-dos.
Want to do AFOs but need to get fabrication problems worked out.
Have done some other creative things with it as well.
ORIGINAL POSTING:
We are having a discussion in our facility about the purchase of a CAD
system primarily for orthotic use. We currently use a computerized system
for both prosthetics and foot orthotics. So we are familiar with 'computer'
usage in this environment.
Our goal with the new system is not speed, although timely delivery is a
factor.
Space (lack of), portability and 'plaster free' are some of considerations
that are important to our clinicians.
We have been impressed with the Tracer CAD system but have limited exposure.
One of the major issues, from our perspective, is several orthotists who
have used the system have gone back to using P.O.P.
We are interested in getting in-put from clinicians/technicians who have
'hands on' experience with CAD systems and which CAD systems people find
most appropriate for orthotics.
Citation
Tarrant, James, “Initial CAD/CAM responses...,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 2, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/217530.
