Measurement  |  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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