Page 13 - Community Health mag issue 2

our LAB

K

CHT’s orthotics laboratory, hidden away
inside the Queen Victoria Memorial Hospital
in Herne Bay, produces more than 6,500
insoles, padding and arch supports giving
pain relief to thousands of patients across Kent.
Insoles (or orthotics) are placed into a patient’s
shoe to re-align their foot, take pressure off
vulnerable areas or to help the problems experienced
by children during development.
Podiatry Technician Rob Solliey explained:
“Diabetic patients, for example, can often end up
with very deformed feet; something called a Charcot
foot. Walking on this deformed foot, can eventually
cause an ulcer and, if this goes unchecked, may
lead to amputation. But we can create an insole
to increase the weight bearing areas of their feet
and help reduce pressure sores and stop that
happening.”
The present technology uses the latest computer-
assisted design and technology for producing
insoles. However, for the past year, housed in a
drawer marked top secret, is the result of a year’s
research. The service has “patent pending” for
cutting-edge insoles made using 3D printing.
The technique will replace most existing
traditional methods of making insoles, be more
efficient and accurate and result in a better outcome
for patients.
Jit Olk, Production Improvement and
Development Manager, explained: “This method
not only saves money but reduces the steps in
the process meaning the insoles are much quicker
to produce.
“The accuracy of 3D printing means that
we can detail down to 14 micron, which is not
something we can do with
current techniques. There is no
waste and the beauty of this for
patients is if they need a replica
insole, we can simply print a
new one.”
The new technique will mean
even better insoles for patients
and create a finished product,
Branded Stride, (UK Patent
Application No 1221135.5).
The team hopes to be using the
new technique within a year.

Taking care of your Innovation
in the world
of orthotics

Here’s our current step-by-step
guide to how it’s done:
1. At the first appointment, the podiatrist will assess the patient
and put together a prescription for an orthotic.

3. The 3D image is
manipulated to make
an outline of the
insole. All corrections
and manipulations
that are needed are
now on the 3D image
on screen to create
the perfect insole.

5. In the finishing
room, the noise
can reach up to
105 decibels as the
edges of the insole
are smoothed
and moulded to
give the upmost
comfort.

2. A plaster
of paris cast
will be taken
of a patient’s
feet or feet
are scanned
directly to
create a perfect
3D impression.

4. Thanks to a
donation of £30,000
from Herne Bay
League of Friends, the
milling machine then
cuts out the insole
from a polypropylene
slab. It takes around
45 minutes.

Jit Olk with the
innovative insole.

6. Within two weeks, the patient
is given their new insole in
their clinic, which can
take away 80 to
90 per cent of
the pain.

www.kentcht.nhs.uk PAGE 13

For more information
visit our website www.kentcht.nhs.uk
or call the numbers below:
East Kent Podiatry: 01227 594728
West Kent Podiatry:
01322 622202 (Dartford), 01622 226066 (Maidstone)
01732 376810 (Tonbridge).
Department of Podiatric Surgery:
01622 226066 (west Kent) 01227 594782 (east Kent).

(that’s insoles to you and me)

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