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Measurement
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Evaluation |
Design |
Production |
Products
Welcome to AcuStep.
Our unique and patented technology is designed to measure resultant
in-shoe foot pressures and, from that information, create a custom
AcuStep Direct Pressure Redistributed Orthotic
(DPRO).
Our custom DPRO products are just that, custom to each client and
each measurement we take. AcuStep does not offer an off-the-shelf
orthotic or shoe insert. We consider both the in-shoe foot
pressures and the shoe type in fabricating our custom orthotics.
As such, we create a product that fits well and comfortably with its
initial fitting in the client’s footwear.
Measurement of the in-shoe foot pressures is not static. When our
dynamic testing is executed, we consider the normal activity of the
client. That activity may be normal standing or walking, work in
an industrial setting, athletes performing on the field, court or
diamond or even a bicyclist riding for leisure or competition.
It is intuitive to consider that pain follows pressure. A person’s
foot exhibits pain during activity because of the resultant pressure on
the plantar foot. While there can be multiple causes for the
pressure, AcuStep, in designing and fabricating the Direct Pressure
Redistributed Orthotic, considers all facets and offloads high pressure
areas and equalizes pressure across the entire plantar foot.
This redistribution of peak pressures is the reason AcuStep is a
comfortable custom orthotic. While the comfort of an AcuStep
custom orthotic is certainly welcome, we must emphasize that AcuStep is
a truly functional orthotic. For those with biomechanical
problems of the foot, we can intrinsically post the custom orthotic
according to the physician, therapist or pedorthists recommendation.
This puts the AcuStep custom orthotic into another category of product
altogether: A fully functional custom orthotic that is inherently
designed to be comfortable for wear.
AcuStep opens up an entire new universe for custom orthotics.
Traditional custom orthotics are used primarily for those persons with
biomechanical problems of the foot. AcuStep custom orthotics are
also for those clients and for those who simply suffer from sore,
high-pressure, fatigued feet.
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Measurement
Measurement
with the AcuStep DPRO system is fast and accurate. No
plaster, foam boxes or pressure floor mats are used to map foot
pressures during activity. Only the measurement is done with the
patient. The AcuStep custom orthotic is fabricated at our facility
with a two-day turnaround back to you.
The AcuStep patented in-shoe sensor technology uses a sensor sized to
fit any foot. Sensors are calibrated to be extremely accurate and
are very robust. AcuStep has sensors that have been used in the
field for over five years without needing replacement. The sensors
are not uncomfortable for the client during testing and are designed for
this sole purpose.
All connections used are straightforward and simple. The process
does not intimidate clients because all hardware used is light and
comfortable. Mobility is never a problem because our measurement
process is wireless as to enable the client to perform their specific
activities that cause foot pain and fatigue. The client does not
need to perform this test for a long period of time. Since the
pressure readings are best taken during the activity the client feels
pressure and pain, AcuStep only needs two or three minutes of the
activity to get representative readings to design the best possible
custom orthotic.
Technicians and professionals using the AcuStep system to test for
excessive foot pressure are quickly trained. With proper fitting
of the footwear and the foot, following the steps in the AcuStep
process, the opportunity to make an effective direct pressure
redistributive orthotic is excellent.
Calibration of the in-shoe sensors is done through a patented AcuStep
process. This calibration enables highly accurate pressure
readings of the plantar foot during activity and, as such, enables
AcuStep to make the best possible custom orthotic. Our experience
shows the sensors to be extremely robust and highly dependable.
AcuStep has sensors used in systems that have tested over 600 clients
without a sensor failure.
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Evaluation
The AcuStep technology and
leading edge software allows full evaluation of in-shoe plantar foot
pressures during gait. While AcuStep uses composite pressures
obtained during the measurement for design and fabrication of the custom
orthotic, the client’s gait can be analyzed step-by-step.
Continuous activity is necessary in the measurement phase because a
person does not take every step exactly the same. For example, a
football defensive back often starts a play running backward and then
turns and runs along with the player he is defending. Simply
measuring this athlete while walking or jogging will not accurately
reflect the in-shoe pressure that occurs during an actual play.
AcuStep, in measuring for a custom orthotic in this situation, will get
that athlete in an actual game condition, performing the exact activity
that replicates conditions that cause painful, sore and fatigued feet.
Evaluation is done in the actual footwear of the activity. This
may include street shoes, athletic footwear (football, basketball,
baseball, tennis, soccer) work shoes or boots, ski boots or even
specialty footwear used in activities such as bicycling. The
better we can duplicate the conditions that cause high foot pressure and
resultant pain the better we can fabricate a custom orthotic for that
situation.
The client and the technician can view results of the measurement
immediately. Quite often the client will point to the red (high
pressure) areas and say, “That is where my foot hurts.” Unlike
traditional methods of orthotic testing (casting or foam impression) the
client can see results and feel comfortable about investing in custom
orthotics. There are occasions where clients need additional input
before they spend a large sum on custom orthotics.
*A final assurance for the client during the evaluation for AcuStep Direct
Pressure Redistributed Orthotics is the fact that
AcuStep will guarantee satisfaction or money back!
*In the first 30 days of wear the patient may return AcuStep custom
orthotics for full credit if the orthotics are not working to the
client’s satisfaction. AcuStep requests that the Provider
(practitioner) again test the client to make sure the initial test was
not in error and to make sure that the client has the AcuStep custom
orthotics in the same footwear as tested. AcuStep Direct
Pressure Redistribution Orthotics are specific to a
particular shoe last (shape) and are fabricated for that type of
footwear.
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Design
The final custom orthotic
shape file is derived from the data collection “pressure profile” plus
the fabricator’s input for a multiplicity of variables including arch
height, heel thickness, wedging and cupping, forefoot varus or valgus
and special relief options such as metatarsal pads or recessions.
These “extrinsic” adjustments are usually done AFTER the orthotic is
fabricated during the fitting process. However with the AcuStep
system this can be done BEFORE fabrication as part of the final milling
instruction set to speed up the fitting process.
It is during the Shape Generation process where point by point
assessment of resultant peak pressures takes place. Resultant peak
pressures are the peak loads present after compensation by one’s
footwear, the surface type during the measurement process and the
dampening effect of an individual’s state of conditioning. If
these peak loads exceed the force-strain rating of a given foam product,
either the foam is thickened or a higher durometer foam is selected.
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Production
Production of the AcuStep
Direct Pressure Redistributed Orthotic (DPRO™)
is unique. Our patented CNC-mill insures that a precise custom
orthotic is fabricated. CNC-milling of a custom orthotic is
somewhat out of the ordinary when compared to traditional orthotic
production in that AcuStep milling accurately follows the features built
in the design and shape generation phase of the process.
The material used for the AcuStep Direct Pressure Redistribution
Orthotic is also unique. Unlike the EVA foam used in many
types of footwear that compresses and will collapse after a number of
weeks, the AcuStep custom orthotic material has been tested to thousands
of repeated compressions with minimal compression set.
This insures that the Acustep custom orthotics will have a long life in
the footwear.
Since AcuStep creates a custom orthotic that redistributes foot
pressures (offloading peak pressures) accurate milling is essential for
the AcuStep custom orthotic to both redistribute pressure and prevent
collapse or ‘bottoming out’ of the orthotic during activity.
Our experience along with multiple post-fit measurements and tests
indicate that the CNC- milling procedure used for the AcuStep Direct
Pressure Redistributed Orthotic is effective in
both the short and long term.
After the CNC-milling of the AcuStep Direct Pressure Redistributed
Orthotic, a top cover is added to protect the base material and
to be appropriate for the activity. We use our experience to
supply a top cover that is appropriate for athletics, diabetic or normal
everyday use. We continue to evaluate cover materials in order to
meet the needs of our customers.
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Products
The AcuStep custom orthotic
is made with a proprietary high-memory material selected for long use
without losing shape or compressing. Unlike many standard shoe
inserts that wear quickly and compress to a paper-thin level offering no
comfort, the AcuStep custom orthotic material has been tested for over
100,000 compressions with minimal compression set. This will
allow the wearer to maintain the comfort initially obtained and realized
with the AcuStep custom orthotic.
The AcuStep DPRO™ custom product is finished with a top cover
that is durable and is appropriate to the use of the orthotic.
Specific top covers for application are highlighted in our PRODUCTS
section.
Fitting of the AcuStep custom orthotic is, in most instances, simply
inserting it into the footwear in place of the factory or existing
insert or footbed of the shoe. In some cases a minimal amount of
grinding is necessary to properly fit the custom orthotic into the shoe.
This is a simple process and is done with tools that are usually
available in a facility that has done custom orthotic work. A
combination belt and disk sander (no need for heavy commercial units)
will suffice for almost any adjustment.
Unique to the custom orthotic marketplace, AcuStep will guarantee the
DPRO™ for patient satisfaction or money back. The AcuStep
custom orthotic guarantee is highlighted in the PRODUCTS section.
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