Vittoria Phoenix

Varifit Orthotic Fabrication VF-300

 It is not often in our industry that a new item causes you to stand up and take a really hard look.  When I first saw the Varifit Orthotic fabrication system I was impressed from the very start.  It utilizes known technology and some new and innovative ideas to give our industry a great new option in foot orthotic manufacture.  What would you say if you could eliminate plaster of paris in the production of at least 80 percent of your client load?  Not only is time saved (time is the most expensive part of our clinics and labs) but, the mess that plaster creates can be reduced to a minimum.  The Varifit VF-300 can help you not only assess your patient's needs but also with minimum effort you can create a pair of foot orthotics with the material of your choice that meets the needs of individual clients.  No need to use pre-made blanks that limit the type of orthotic your patient requires.

  The VF-300 incorporates innovative technology to make your custom-made foot orthotics easier to manufacture.  The fabulous educational software program provides a positive sales reinforcement tool.  You will have the choice to scan a foot from the pin impression cast or from the Accu-Light white light 3 dimensional cast scanner.  With the pin scan you can take a non-weight bearing neutral impression and then take a weight bearing cast to be able to do a comparison between the two scans.  Not unlike the old navicular drop measurement we used to use to compare the amount of weight-bearing differential.  The program will enable you to present to the client a positive reinforcement for the need for a custom-made device.  The educational portion of the software will certainly help with the sales portion of your clinic.  You have to see it to believe it!  Upon transfer of the information to the VF-300 manufacturing unit you will have the ability to modify the casts and to manipulate the positive mold in a variety of ways to assist in the fabrication of a functional pair of quality foot orthotics.  In as little as 20 minutes you can have the pair ready for the fitting!  An advanced robotic-arm pin matrix will create the positive mold while the material is heating in the provided oven.  Then you will form an orthotic on the pin cast with the vacuum press that is incorporated in the unit with the material of your choice.  Yes, you can choose what material you feel is the best to provide your clients with a pair of foot orthotics that suits their individual needs.  I have molded a wide variety of materials including, EVA, RCH 500 (subortholene), XT sprint, co-polymer and polypropylene.  The decision is yours to make on what material you will use. 

   This clean, user friendly system is available to be seen in operation via a webinar seminar from our friends at Varifit or you can contact me and see a live demonstration at the location in south Scarborough where the system is set up.  The location has been graciously provided by Cindy and Lou at All Care Home Health on Kingston Rd. Toronto.  Please do not hesitate to contact me via the website or my cell phone (1-647-278-0299).  You will not be disappointed.

   I also wish to promote the Varifit Biomechanics Summer School entitled "Foot Orthoses- The Foundation Of Therapeutic Biomechanics" program we are co-sponsoring with Varifit.  This educational program will provide you with not only a great informative two days but also an opportunity to spend some time at the fabulous Nottawasaga Inn and Resort. Points have been approved by various associations to keep your educational numbers up.  A great way to take time with your family at one of Ontario's finest country resorts and to learn at the same time!  The dates of the program are Friday, August 13th, 2010 and Saturday, August 14th 2010.  A variety of excellent speakers and educational seminars are yours for the asking.  Look on our website for information regarding the summer school or contact myself or the office to take advantage of this exciting seminar. 

 Thank you for taking the time to read this and we look forward to hearing from you.

 

Kerry

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E.V.A. Ethylene-Vinyl-Acetate

 Well it has been a while since I made an entry.  Life seems to grab you by the tail and whip you around some.  Anyway here is my newest entry.  Eva ethylene-vinyl-acetate.  In our industry we use eva in the manufacture of foot orthotics, padding and liners for Afo's, prosthetic socket liners, shoe modifications or anywhere a multiple durometer, heat moldable material is required.  What you may not be aware of is that eva is used in some very interesting ways. Some baby pacifiers are made from eva, eva is added to cigarettes to make them slow burning and fire retardant. Eva is really non toxic.  The only time eva is dangerous is when it is overheated and the fumes should not be inhaled.  I am not saying we should go out and have an eva sandwich but, it is a product that we can use with confidence knowing that it is safe and functional. Eva is even used in some drugs to facilitate the slow release of the active ingredients.  Fishing rod handles have eva wrapped around so we don't lose our grip or the big one!  Eva is all around us.  If you look to the left you may see it in the mouse pad.  It may even be in the mouse itself to absorb shock when the computer crashes.

   In our industry there are many forms of eva.  Some are of higher quality and some are of lower quality and it is usually reflected in the price. In the market today there are a multitude of suppliers with many eva products to choose from.  The colours and durometers certainly have evolved over the past 10 years.  We as professionals must choose the eva that best suits our clients individual needs.  

   Here at Vittoria Phoenix we are committed to bring you the highest quality eva line at the best possible price.  VPhoam is that line of eva.  It is manufactured at an ISO certified facility and it meets or exceeds standards and expectations.  I personally have molded, ground, glued and tried to break VPhoam and have found it to be a superior line of eva.  I took some 10mm 60 durometer white VPhoam and molded a UCBL style orthotic with no internal wrinkling and was able to grind the edges with no deformation from heat of the grinding wheel.  This line of eva will be able to supply you with multiple durometer choices and be able to provide your clients with what they need. 

  Most facilities I worked at early in my career were fast paced and we as technicians had little time to waste.  The ovens were set at a high temperature with the thought that if the oven is set high the eva or plastic will be ready for molding quicker.  I found that eva reacts better at a lower temperature.  If you have patience and the oven is set at say 325  Fahrenheit or even lower and not 500. The end result you will find is a much better finished product.  The eva is not overcooked and will not compress as much in the vacuum forming process.  I would even make sure that lower durometer eva is heated at even lower temperature.  You can even use a heat gun at the low setting to get an 18 durometer top cover to mold in to an abnormally deep heel cup.

   Call or use our website to make a request for a sample of VPhoam and you will not be disappointed.  Our website has been modified to make your searches easier and offers you the ability to get the products you need when you require them.

   Again if you have any questions please do not hesitate to call me or use the "Ask Kerry a question" section of the blog.

   Thanks for taking the time to read my entry.

   Kerry 

      

    

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Happy New Year

 Happy New Year !

   I wish everyone a healthy and prosperous year.  There are new things on the horizon and I am looking forward to presenting them to you all.

   I hope that everyone has a chance to look at the new Thermotecc line of over the counter foot orthotics.  I have had them in my shoes now for almost two months and am happy to say they are giving me the support and correction that I need.  I have had a couple of surgeries on my right foot and consequently my fourth and third metatarsal heads have dropped.  I was able to easily modify the Thermotecc insoles in a matter of minutes and put them in my shoes with no grinding needed at all.  They are working great!!  This is the first OTC type of product that has worked this well for me.  I hope you give them a try.  You will not be disappointed.

   These insoles can be molded to the client directly or spot molded to the needs of the individual.  Postings can be added easily and there is an enhancer available that will greatly increase the support from heel to sulcus.  The system will fit ladies 5 to men's 16.  There are different configurations of cushions and a topcover made from Bamboo that is antimicrobial, wicks moisture away and is an easily renewable resource.

   There is no replacement for a custom made orthotic but you know there are some patients that do not have any type of coverage from their insurance provider and this system will give your clients that are in need a great solution to their foot problem.  Even a second pair for your clients as the Thermotecc can be molded to a plaster cast also. 

   Give me a call or send me an e-mail to bring the Thermotecc system to your office or clinic and I can present this innovative product to you.

   You know I don't want this to come across as a commercial for the Thermotecc system. I am just excited about this product and know that it will do well in today's market.

 

   Thanks Everyone

 

Kerry

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Shoes, Shoes, Shoes

 I have spent countless hours with hard to fit clients trying to get them that "perfect fit" for their feet.  How many of you have had a customer tell you that "I am a size 6 narrow with a quad A heel".  Only to find when you measure them that the actual size is a 7 and 1/2 extra wide!!  They will tell you that the shoes they are wearing are very comfortable, and cannot explain to you why their feet hurt so much.  As we get older our feet do get larger.  Along with our noses and ears I might add.  Fitting shoes today is challenging to say the least. 

   Shoes are manufactured all around the world and the size 7 we get from China may not fit the same as the size 7 we get from a manufacturer in Spain.  There is no real global standardization of shoe sizes.  That leaves us with the problem of trying to decipher our stock sizes and to be able to provide clients with a proper fit. 

   What I found works well is actually trying on all the shoes in your size and getting a "feel" for the stock.  A New Balance 9D does not translate into a 9D in an Etonic Pro III walker, the Etonic is a little more generous in the width.  It is a matter of taking the time to know the stock and be able to identify which shoe from each manufacturer fits what way.  Encourage staff to do the same to get to know the fit of every shoe style you keep on hand.

   I have also found that not everyone's feet are the same size.  I even had one client that had a size 9 right foot and a size 10 left foot.  This presents another kind of dilemma in shoe fitting.  By using various fitting aids that are readily available we can alter the fit of a shoe quickly and easily.  You could add a full length insole to the smaller shoe or add a "cheater" to the forefoot of a shoe to take up some of the room.  Add a tongue pad to keep the foot back in the heel counter (you should also remember that a tongue pad is the first option to try to prevent heel slippage).  You can also use a variety of stretchers to accommodate abnormalities in foot structure. (bunions, hammer toes, prominent naviculars etc.) 

   A shoe should feel comfortable before the client leaves the store.  How many times have you heard a sales associate say to a customer in a store "don't worry the shoe will stretch as you walk around in it".  Now if the shoe is leather and you get it soaked in water while out in the rain it may "form" to your foot but a shoe should feel good on our feet before we walk out of the store.  I have friends that have gotten blisters on their heels while waiting for the shoes to be "broken in".  I think that we are not waiting for the shoes to break in but we are waiting for our feet to get used to the ill fitting shoes.

   I have taken shoe fitting seminars and have been fitting shoes on some of the most hard to fit feet.  If you would like me to come to your facility and give a hands on demonstration for staff, please do not hesitate to contact me and we will arrange a time and place.

 

Thanks

 

Kerry  

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Scissors

 Scissors.  We use scissors most every day in our life don't we?  But at work our scissors are neglected and used improperly by most users. We tend to use them to cut things like paper, cardboard and sheet metal.  I am not saying that you should not use your scissors to cut what you like but we all know that when we go to cut a top cover and have a nice finish if the scissors are not sharp or are covered in glue they do not work right.  What you should have is a dedicated pair of scissors that are used specifically for the task you intend. 

   I recall an incident where I came into the clinic and went back into the shop and wanted to trim the top cover of a new orthotic I had previously finished.  I could not find my shears.  After looking around the work area I went out to the reception desk to find the patient co-ordinater cutting paper with my Osbourne ez cuts.  I calmly informed the person that by cutting paper the edge of the shears would be dull very quickly.  yes paper will dull a good set of shears.  so will cardboard and yes sheet metal will even if it is very thin. 

   I still use those scissors. They were given to me by the Orthotics department at Sick Kids after my work term there.  I have never needed to sharpen them.  I only cut EVA, top covers, leather and materials used in the trade.

   If you take care of your scissors they will last.  Once a week take them apart.  Clean them with thinners using a soft cloth.  Keep them away from other staff members. Take them home with you. 

   I would have to say your scissors are used probably more than any other hand tool in our clinics and shops.  Take care of them and they will work for you.

 

Kerry

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Welcome to the Blog

    Welcome to my blog.  The purpose of this blog is to inform, answer questions and to provide our customers a platform to put forth questions and to provide better service.  I hope to be able to use my years of experience in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics to help our customers with any technical problems they may have with materials, footwear, components or any other product or service we at Vittoria Phoenix provide.

   I invite our customers to submit questions to me.  No doubt those who know me will try to stump me with a difficult question (related to business only please), ha ha.  I will try to answer questions to the best of my abilities and if I do not know the answer I will do my utmost to find it for you.

   I will be posting handy hints about whatever comes to mind.  How to keep your scissors functioning properly, how to improve dust evacuation, how to use adhesives correctly, how to cook a turkey.  Who knows?

   I want this blog to be informative but also fun and to get to know our customers better.  The Internet seems to be one of the best tools to keep in touch with our customers and I hope this blog will help us at Vittoria Phoenix in continuing the best customer service we can provide.

   I am here to help you (our customers) use our products to provide their clients with the superior care they are used too.  I travel around Ontario by car and will endeavor to get to most communities over the next year.  I cannot carry the entire inventory we have in my vehicle but if you wish to see something in person that we have, send me an e-mail or call me on my cell phone and we will co-ordinate a visit when I am in your area.  I look forward to meeting you all.

   For those out-of-province customers.  I hope to see you at one of the association conferences that we are fortunate enough to support every year.

   Thank You

   Kerry

   Now about those scissors?

   See today's post

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