New Infant 3-D
Cranial Scanner Makes Life Easier for Baby and Parents

The baby sits in his mother's lap, playing with a little rubber
monkey and laughing when the toy squeaks. The toddler doesn't seem to notice the woman in a white lab-coat waving a plastic wand around his head. The scene continues for a minute or two, and then the child and his mother head home... the orthotist, after all, has all the information she needs to create a custom-fit cranial helmet that will forever change – and improve – the child's life.

For infants who need a cranial helmet to correct a misshapen head, a new technique using a digital scanner puts babies, and their parents, at ease. The OMEGA® Scanner, a Type I laser, uses CAD technology to allow orthotists to modify helmets on a computer. Wright & Filippis®, Michigan's leading home healthcare provider, was one of the first companies in the state to utilize this new technology.

Due to the amount of time they spend lying on their backs,
many infants develop an asymmetrical or misshapen head,
known as Positional Deformational Plagiocephaly. To correct this, a cranial helmet is worn to provide a non-surgical treatment while the baby's head continues to grow.

"There are some tremendous advantages using this scanner," said Pam Filippis, Director of Orthotics. "Since the child doesn't have to be restrained during measuring, the casting is replaced by a faster and less traumatic method for the baby and family. The parent can play with their child while they are being scanned.

"The traditional way of creating a helmet – taking a series of measurements and fitting them with a plaster mold – still provides excellent results," said Filippis. "But taking advantage of this new technology provides a whole new level of convenience for the baby and family, and it definitely shortens the entire process."

To capture the shape of the infant's head with the digital scanner, a fabric "cap" is placed on the infant's head and marked with small stickers. Using the OMEGA scanner, the Wright & Filippis orthotist quickly scans the infant's head to obtain a 3-D image of its shape. This process takes minimal time and can be done throughout the baby's treatment plan.

"We've already fit over 300 children with this new technology, and we're equally proud of the fact that all of our helmets are manufactured right here in Michigan," said Bill Kunst, Manager of Wright & Filippis' Pediatric Center in Madison Heights. The helmet is most effective when the baby's head is still rapidly growing and the prominent areas can be more easily corrected. Most babies will wear the helmet between four and six months. The helmet is customdesigned to the infant's head and allows space in areas where growth is needed.

"Between three and nine months is generally the ideal age for fitting a child, but we've used this technology to fit children as old as 18 months with a cranial helmet," said Kunst.

Once the shape is electronically captured, the orthotist is able to modify the shape as desired so a cranial helmet can be designed. Wright & Filippis has delivered over 300 cranial helmets per year.

"Now that physicians around the state have learned that we have this technology at our Pediatric Center, we've had families driving 90 minutes or more to get to Madison Heights," said Filippis. "Ultimately, we'll be able to provide
this service from many of our statewide facilities."

For more information about the Omega Scanner, contact Wright & Filippis Director of Orthotics Pam Filippis (248) 829-8284, or Pediatric Center Manager
Bill Kunst (248) -658-0990.