Pressure Management System

Crispin Orthotics Limited use an advanced CAD/CAM system called Paromed® to assist in patient assessments and Orthosis manufacture. The system uses computer technology and has three components:

Parotec®: Is an in-shoe Plantar Pressure Measurement (PPM) system that uses specially designed insoles which have sensors built into them to provide information with regard to the pressures occurring on the soles of the feet in walking. The system can be used to identify areas of concern such as high pressure and also to study the effectiveness of an Orthosis designed for example to re-distribute pressures under the foot by comparing pressure distribution with and without the Orthosis in-situ. The ability to identify areas of increased pressure also assists in the design of an Orthosis and reduces the need to perform adjustments following manufacture.

3-D Scanner: Is a device which uses lasers to scan the sole of the foot and Produce a 3-dimensional image which can be displayed on a computer screen. Using specialist software the technician can perform all necessary adjustments (rectifications) to the image to allow an Orthosis to be manufactured using a milling machine. The scanner can also be used to scan a negative foam impression of the foot for the same purpose. Not only is this a highly accurate process but it allows for repeat Orthoses to be manufactured exactly as the original.

Parocontour®: Is a CAD/CAM milling machine which is used to manufacture Orthoses to extremely fine tolerances. It receives data from the rectified scanned image and machines an Orthosis from blocks of material called blanks. The blanks are available in differing firmness to allow the properties of the finished Orthosis to match its' functional requirements.

Another ability of the system is to allow the results obtained from a PPM to be displayed directly over the scanned image of the foot. This enables any rectifications designed to reduce high pressure areas to be positioned exactly where required.