Excited to share that we are in our new office located just around the corner form our old office in Karner Park. We are just up the road, next to the Cat’s Meow Restaurant. The building went up for sale last year and Rich purchased it in October of 2021. With hard work and a great team, we officially moved in in April 2022!
Rip Van Wagoner
Introducing Rich Wagoner.
Where to start! If you’ve noticed the recent addition to our waiting room you’ve seen his name before. He is a talented artist, above knee amputee and most importantly, an amazing person!
His studio is settled on main st in Catskill, NY where he works on his intricate, perfected and stunning pieces of art. Entering the studio is breath taking, and you are immediately surrounded by every hue and shade of color.
Each of his pieces tell an amazing story!
For more information you can visit his website at www.RipVanWagoner.com or call his studio at 518-819-9767.
3D Printing......so why all the hype?
If you ever happen to strike up a conversation about prosthetics with a family member, friend or frankly anyone for that matter, chances are 3D printing has come up. I’d be willing to bet it may have been the first thing mentioned; “SO you do those awesome 3D printed ones on TV?!” To their surprise our answer is YES! But really, are they that special???
“3D printing and CAD software as a whole has brought something this field has always lacked; quantifying progress. ”
Possessing a shape of the residual limb as accurate as our scanners can capture (550,000 measurements per second) is priceless. To be able to have a starting point from which to make modifications, test sockets, comparisons for medical necessities or simply for patient progress is a valuable asset.
Our approach is simple: print a weight bearing option for a trial fitting then fine tune it with our time tested techniques (plaster moulds and sureform).
Old Tech vs. New Tech
On the left is the T-Ring, purchased by COPA in the early 90s. It was a trusted tool for the practice for many years. The tool would snap 5-6 simultaneous photos on various aspects of the residual limb. Using those photos a 3D image would be generated to use in the CAD software program which ultimately results in a model of the residual limb carved from urethane foam.
On the right is your typical Apple iPad, with a structure sensor from Standard Cyborg attached to the camera portion. This tool utilizes 3D imaging techniques to capture the residual limb in space and measures numerous contours while in the “operating box”. From this image a raw STL file can be generated, spliced into many layers and finally 3D printed.
So which to use? Here at Capital O&P we use everything! Each patient is unique and we want to ultimately achieve the best fit. This means approaching each case with an open mind. We may unlock the iPad, unzip the T-Ring bag or even brake open a plaster bandage. Whatever it may be we are here to help!