Dear Jeff,

The Orthoscanner was conceived from a blank piece of paper. This was over
12 years ago and our objective was to attempt measurement that would either
confirm or refute Rootian theory. The works of Root; Orion and Weed were
considered the most credible authors on which to base our research. We were
aware of the systems that were available or had gone before. I had also
been involved in force plate studies exploring the MZ (moment of the
vertical component) as early as the late 70's.

The traditional approach at the time consisted of a series of human
appraisals and therefore several opportunities for error. These were
diagnosis, couch measurement of passive movement, prescription writing,
slipper casting and after care. All required experience and a good
knowledge base for consistent accuracy. If our scanner was going to be of
scientific value all of these steps would have to be eliminated or at least
reliably accurate other wise one error would only compound the next. If we
think about it, it is not a series of steps as mentioned above but consists
of a process from the patient presentation to a successful outcome where
errors are eliminated. Replacing casting with some high-tech method of
capture that still required practitioner input was not acceptable to
Orthomed.

CAD/CAM has changed tremendously in the last 10 years never mind the
1980's. What would be the point of using casts or digitised capture
involving the practitioner if all the information could be had dynamically
at any moment during the gait cycle without human intervention. This would
obviously mean extremely rapid dimensional capture in either open or closed
kinetic position that reflected the optimum moment for capture. More
importantly, no casts or other flawed information would be used within the
system.

If we could achieve the above and calibrate on all planes simultaneously
within an infinite time frame then what we have is 3 dimensions.
Additionally, the computer accuracy of the system allows for microns of
accuracy during CAD/CAM. Today most electronic components start from
CAD/CAM design and many are extremely intricate and necessitate microns of
accuracy. As previously mentioned this is not a problem today and just
about anything is possible, in any material, to any accuracy as long as the
proper machinery is used in construction.

The Orthoscanner can achieve all of the above working from first
principles. In the modern world, it is not unusual in such circumstances to
keep all technology under lock and key, for to make public involves
educating competitors.

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