Comb + Ability Made: Combining Worldwide Technology to improve patient care and outcomes

Introduction:

In the summer of 2021 Geauga Rehabilitation Engineering, O&P (GRE) in Cleveland, Ohio approached Ability Made in Sydney, Australia to bring an AFO concept to life. The goal of the project was to design and produce a highly engineered and one of a kind AFO that was comfortable and functional for an active patient at GRE. 

Due to the geographical separation of the two partners, traditional casting and shipping would add extreme costs and time delays. 

Comb + GRE

In order to make the partnership happen, GRE adopted and used the Comb 3D Scanning App for iPhone in order to scan their lower extremity patient. Given the digitization of the file, a collaborative door was opened to allow GRE to access leading innovation across the world – no longer limited to local providers.

Scanning with Comb is arguably the most accessible and affordable way to treat patients. The Comb scanning app for iPhone was developed by and for O&P professionals to meet the specific needs of practitioners world wide. In this case specifically, GRE was able to use the preprogrammed AFO setting built into the app to scan their patient. No manual calibration was needed, just open the app, select “AFO,” and scan. 

Ability Made + GRE

GRE identified Ability Made as one of the leading device innovators in the world. They approached Ability Made with the task of designing a custom AFO device that would provide support, flexibility and durability for the highly active patient.

GRE + Additive America

When it came to fabrication, GRE turned to the experts at Additive America to 3D print the final iteration of the AFO device that Ability Made digitally designed. Due to the complexity of the design, this particular AFO could have only been 3D printed. The 3D printing leaders over at Additive America were able to easily take the design and print the device in house prior to shipping the AFO up to Cleveland for final assembly and fitment. 

3D printing is the latest fabrication technology in O&P. 3D printing prosthetic devices opens the door to creative and innovative designs that provide the patient with new levels of comfort and functionality. 

In Conclusion:

The O&P industry has previously been limited in mass-collaboration due to geographical and logistical constraints. With the evolution of technology and its implementation in the industry, practitioners are able to effectively communicate and collaborate with innovation leaders worldwide. The goal of this communication is to pass the best possible care onto the patient. 

By opening up the borders of the O&P industry, practitioners can share their work and move the industry forward. As we learn more, and as technology continues to advance, the patient ultimately wins. This partnership among these the partners is a prime example of innovation to come, indicating a new dawn of patient outcomes in Prosthetics and Orthotics.