Scanning Technology

The Bergmann Foot Scanner and automated design system has two distinct functions. One function is the ability to capture the foot and change it into a digitized form that can be evaluated, shown on a computer and used in the production of a functional orthotic device. The second function is the ability of the pedorthist to precisely manipulate and change the shape of this digitized data to form more accurate cast corrections so that an orthotic fabricated using this digitized image will be both more comfortable and effective in controlling the patient's biomechanical condition. Secondarily, but no less important, the system helps to explain the basics of biomechanics to patients and others in a clear and concise way, and it has the ability to evolve into a research tool that can be used to expand and verify our knowledge about orthotics and biomechanics.

Non Contact Digitization

Non-contact digitization, in use in the Bergmann scanner, consists of a video camera, a light source (optical laser) and a computer to analyze the date. Data samplings are obtained every 40 thousandths of an inch, giving a very detailed representation of the contour of the foot. And subsequently, orthotics will fit precisely to the foot shape. It is very important to note that an automated orthotic is only as accurate as its least accurate measuring point. The least accurate point is the image capture. If data samplings have been taken 1/4 of an inch apart, then orthotic accuracy is 1/4 of an inch. Even if milling processes are accurate to a tenth of a thousandths of an inch, the orthotic will only be accurate to 1/4 of an inch because that was the image capture resolution. The Bergmann scanner takes about 9000 data samplings of the plantar, medial and lateral aspects of the foot, in about six seconds. In comparing plaster casting to optical casting, both methods rely on the clinician holding the foot in the correct neutral position for accuracy. Both methods give an accurate three dimensional contour of the foot. Plaster casting is total contact, and optical casting is a data sampling every 400 hundredths of an inch. Optical casting has been found to be, overall, more accurate because the clinician can more precisely check the optical scan on the computer to see if it corresponds to the biomechanical examination. If discrepancies are apparent, another scan be taken with little effort and waste of time.