Foot Shape and Design
3D and 4D foot scanning
Mapping the foot shape and features within populations such as children or patients with reduced foot motion is of vital importance for footwear and foot orthotic design and modification. Working with researchers at Aston University and Mahidol University Dr Carina Price and Dr Dan Parker have collected a combined 3D and 4D plantar foot shape dataset to characterise foot shape change over stance phase for 50 participants during walking gait.
Digital Supply Chains for Frugal Innovation
Prior work has explored the potential for digital manufacture methods (CADCAM & 3D Printing) to improve the supply chain for foot orthotic prescription within the NHS. Building on this work Dr Dan Parker and Professor Louise Akers are implementing training for technicians and clinicians in low- and middle-income countries on the use of handheld iPad scanners for foot shape capture. This will be piloted alongside a hybrid remote orthotic design and manufacture process to address an unmet need for orthotic provision and offloading management in low resource settings. The impact will be evaluated to identify next steps/technology which can be taken forward.
Foot Orthotic Evaluation
To better understand product performance test platforms have been developed by Dr Dan Parker and Zain Shahid. These platforms deliver modifiable gait simulation including realistic loading and force profiles to allow foot orthotic and footwear assessment.
Team
Dr Sam Curtin
Zain Shahid