STARscanner replies

STARscanner replies

Clinical Orthotic Consultants

7/10/2006

Hello, below is the original posting..
 
I am seriously considering purchasing/leasing a STARscanner for my
facility. I have read and heard all about the benefits of the device. I
am looking to hear about your experiences with the device, both positive
and negative. Outside of the price tag, one of my biggest fears is the
loss of control by using central fabrication. I have been fabricating
and fitting plagio helmets for 4 years now, doing everything out of my
facility, where I have ultimate control over the fit and function of the
device. Obviously they are successful, but comments on this would be
appreciated.
 
Also, I am curious about how much the scanner is used for pre-helmet
tracking. I see several families at 5 months of age, and they tell me
it is getting better, but they never took pictures, and improvement is
hard to track. I can see a need to scan kids at 3 months to get a
baseline, then again at 4 and 5 months to see if it actually is
improving. Are people doing this? If so, how do you bill for your
time?
 
Any input would be appreciated and responses will be posted unless you
ask me not to post.
 
 
Not many responses, but they follow. One interesting note.Ohio Willow
Wood called me regarding the post. They just wanted to let me know that
they will be unveiling a similar product this September, and it would
cost significantly less. That is all they could tell me.
 
Here are the replies..
 
Check out what Wake Forest has done with the FastScan scanner.
 
<URL Redacted>
 
Hope this helps.
 
I love my scanner, i use it every day, I love it every day. As with any
computer garbage in garbage out, if you do not get a good scan, (baby
wiggles) your data is less reliabe, you learn with experience. I waited
a long time to buy, orthomerica has been very pleasant to deal with. i
do not charge for evals, only devices.
 
 
I was casting and modifying with Orthomerica only fabricating the
helmet. They are very, very good at listening to your specific
modification requirements on the scanned models. I have been using the
scanner for almost a year and it definately opens up much needed time
for me to do all the other things in the practice. It's easy to use and
a terrific tool for physicians that tell their patients that it will
round out or for the parents who are in denial and think it has gotten
so much better that they no longer think it necessary to put them in a
helmet. Outcomes are also a great asset with the scanner. You can scan
them at the end of treatment and do an overlay to show the results.
I've been thrilled with the results of the scanner overall. There is
also a meeting in October in Florida that is specifically for
practitioners that use the scanner and it is a fantastic meeting of the
minds.
 
I have not had one problem with the fit of any of my helmets since
getting the scanner. The techs there are very good and I have never had
to return a helmet for poor fit. Just give them your specifications and
they follow it. It's been a great asset to me. Hope that helps.
 
its a great data gathering tool---parents are impressed----doctors and
you can document the positive changes taking place------the people that
provide the scanner etc and many other products also sell and
distribute to anyone-----theres no area protection for your office in
the use of the scanner---therefore six facilities within two city blocks
can have the same scanner, so how do you compete----im almost sure that
the fda made a ruling that these helmets could not be made by everyone
and therefore it is centrally fab out to those authorized to perform
these services-------keep in mind that there is no way of sterilizing
the area that the child is placed unless they have changed the
component where the child is----i think the unit is still ((first
generation ))-------i myself for many years fab my own with the same
success as anyone---------the negative mold that you send is poured and
modified by a tech---after the positive mold has been corrected...then
it is scanned and put through cad cam system------------------great for
data acquisition--- and thats it good luck
 
 
Hi Derek! We have a scanner here at SCOPe Orthotics & Prosthetics in
San Diego. Personally, I have been working with the scanner for about 4
1/2 years. Trusting someone to modify something for you, when you know
that it will come out right if you do it yourself, is always a
challenge. Orthomerica really does a great job, and Gary Hicks- in
customer service- is awesome! Every once in awhile I see a kid that I
feel the need to modify the head....so I have them overnight me the
carving, I then modify it and then overnight it back to them, and the
cost end up about the same for two overnight shipping fees vs a
modification fee. We see many kids for an evaluation/ tracking scans.
But it is not something that we charge for. It is more of a service for
our referring doctors. Feel free to give me a call if you have more
specific questions.
 
I have used the Starscanner for about two years. I would say it is
invaluable for precisely what you are questioning, tracking the shape
of the baby's head at various levels and angles. The topography
abilities is phenominal. We charge a nominal $50.00 US for any
pre-treatment scan, no insurance involvement, but apply all charges to
the cost of the helmet if we proceed.
 
I guess you would have to equate your investment to superior service if
you decide to continue fabbing the helmets yourself. There is a
learning curve as to the amount of correction you permit Orthmerica to
do on your behalf. There can be significant rotational problems with
their helmets and their predetermined trim lines. Bottom line is yes
more than no.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derek Kozar M.Sc., C.O.(c)
Certified Orthotist
Clinical Orthotic Consultants of Windsor, Inc.
410-3200 Deziel Dr.
Windsor, ON
N8W 5K8
519-944-8340 p
519-944-8360 f