 |
Amfit Footfax-SL: Combining Innovation and Technology
By Ken Marich, MBA  Utilization of Amfit's patented electronic 3D
scanner and precision CAD/CAM carving mill provide an automated
method for making high-quality custom orthoses. We have found that
this system yields high patient acceptance, improved cost
efficiencies, and increased profitability.
The Footfax scanner idea was born in a garage in Silicon Valley
in the mid-1970s. Tony Tadin, founder of Amfit, was part of the
team that invented the computerized wheel balancer now used
worldwide in the automobile industry. Having foot problems himself,
he refocused his efforts on the human body and applied the
principles of tire balancing to the need for human alignment and
balance. His efforts resulted in the development of the Footfax
contact scanner.
 The current model, Footfax-SL, is a fully portable foot
measurement system. The SL's contact digitizer design, consisting
of a unique array of sensors, supports the foot and results in soft
tissue deflection during measurement. This sensitivity to surface
hardness is not duplicated by any other scanning technology. It can
also utilize mechanical or software adjustments of the foot.
Mechanical adjustments are a unique feature of Amfit's patented
Footfax scanner. The scanner allows the practitioner to place
appliances, such as pads or wedges, under the foot while
measurements are made, and then captures a corrected weight-bearing
contour. An accurate patient-specific digital foot file is created,
thus eliminating the need for plaster or foam. The file is
transferred to Amfit's precision CAD/CAM carving mill for
fabrication of custom foot orthoses. The Amfit Carving Mill
requires only 21 in. x 31 in. of floor space and will machine a
custom orthotic with a size range of 5-17 in six to nine minutes. Both accommodative
and functional custom orthoses can be carved onsite or fabricated
at Amfit's Central Orthotic Laboratory, Santa Clara,
California.
 Amfit also offers a dynamic foam casting system, the
Footprinter™, as a low-cost introduction to Amfit's custom
orthotic services. Foot impressions are taken in Amfit's patented
foam kits and computer-scanned at Amfit to produce digital
foot files. The foot files can be modified and reviewed before
CAD/CAM machining of the custom orthoses. Many Amfit customers
start with the Footprinter technique and purchase the automated
Footfax scanner when their revenue justifies the expenditure.
Education: Key to Optimal Use
Key to optimizing the use of powerful, computer-based devices is
education and training. Amfit has developed a nationwide education
program that supports all aspects of using the automated Footfax
system for the design and fabrication of custom foot orthoses. In
1999, Amfit established an Accredited Education Program and opened
the Amfit Education Center in Santa Clara. To date, over 24
seminars and workshops accredited by the American Board for
Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics (ABC) and the Board for
Certification in Pedorthics (BCP) have been held in the training
center. Attendees include O&P professionals, pedorthists,
physical therapists, athletic trainers, podiatrists, and
chiropractors.
 These seminars are now being offered throughout the United
States. Onsite customer training is provided by members of the
Amfit Clinical Trainers (ACT) team, who are all certified orthotists or pedorthists and spend eight to
twelve hours with new customers.
The company has two divisions, Amfit®, servicing the
medical market and ArchCrafters®, the retail market. For more
information, visit www.amfit.com 
Table Of Contents - October 2002
|
|
