The Use of CAD/CAM Technology in Prosthetics and Orthotics-Current Clinical Models and a View to the Future
By Smith, Douglas G.; Burgess, Ernest M.; Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development, Vol 38, No. 3, pp. 327-334Publication Date: May/June 2001
Article examining the current clinical uses of Computer-Aided Design/Computer-Aided Manufacture (CAD/CAM) in prosthetics and orthotics. Interviews were conducted to compare patterns of CAD/CAM use in different private settings at two different teaching institutions. The findings of the report indicate that there are several very different models of use in clinical practice and these different models will most likely stay in use. These models range from traditional techniques with no use of CAD/CAM, to full in-house suites of CAD/CAM equipment. It has also been found that a growing number of prosthetic and orthotic devices are being fit with CAD/CAM technology using simple techniques. This trend will most likely continue, as it is more cost effective than utilizing casted, scanned, or digitized exact anatomic data.
Published by:
VA Rehabilitation Research & Development Service (Web Site: http://www.rehab.research.va.gov )
Link to text: http://www.vard.org/jour/01/38/3/smith383.htm
