FUSION: Firefly’s foot scanning app for iPad

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What is FUSION?

At the recent College of Podiatry Conference 2019, we offered delegates a sneak peek of FUSION, Firefly’s portable foot scanning application for iPad and we are delighted to report it caused quite a buzz!

We are working hard to present the podiatric profession an app for iPad that will bring efficiencies to how podiatrists capture patient foot data and create foot orthotic prescriptions. 

How will FUSION compare to other 3D scanning apps?  

We have used and reviewed many of the foot scanning apps currently available to the profession. We have identified where some of these apps fall short and how they could be improved. FUSION incorporates the best from these apps and goes further offering new and innovative features unique to the FUSION app! 

You will discover several features that will help you achieve better patient outcomes. These include FUSION’s Favourites Templates – create and save device types and spec you frequently order, FUSION’s dashboard allows you see where your order is in Firefly’s manufacturing process and you can quickly and easily order second and subsequent sets of orthoses with the touch of a button!

When will it be released? 

We don’t have a specific release date for FUSION but hope to publish in Apple’s App Store in mid to late February 2020. We are testing the app within our clinical division of Firefly Foot & Ankle Clinics and among a select number of associated Firefly podiatrists.   

JOIN THE FUSION MAILING LIST

Why do I want it? 

Aside from the obvious benefits of no longer having to be reliant on plaster of Paris or foam box impressions, FUSION integrates Firefly’s prescription form and the Structure Sensor’s advanced scanning technology allows podiatrists capture patient foot data anywhere, whether in clinic or on domiciliary visits. 

FUSION aligns with Firefly’s 3D printed custom foot orthoses to offer a start-to-finish digital prescription and manufacture experience. Further details on our 3D printed devices will be announced in the coming months.   

Will the app be available for Android? 

Currently, there are no plans to roll out FUSION on any Android platforms. This is because FUSION requires Structure Sensor’s scanning hardware which is designed for Apple products only.   

Firefly Announce Richie Brace Workshop

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Grow your skill-set and treat a broader scope of patient with the Firefly Richie Brace Workshop.

At Firefly we repeatedly see how bracing therapy offers in life-changing results for patients across the UK and Ireland. 

Through education and by building confidence we know more podiatrists could be successfully delivering bracing therapy as part of their clinical offering. That’s why we’re delighted to announce the first Firefly Richie Brace Workshop, that will take place on January 25th, 2020 in London. 

The Richie Brace range of custom ankle braces are frequently used to treat complex foot and ankle pathologies consistently producing excellent results.

Pathologies commonly treated by prescribing the Riche Brace include: 

  • Lateral Ankle Instability, 
  • Degenerative Joint Disease 
  • Adult Acquired Drop Foot 

About the Richie Brace Workshop

The workshop will be held in Chiswick Medical Centre in West London from 9.30am to 2.00pm.

The workshop is accredited by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, Glasgow. Tap the button below to find out more and to enrol on the workshop.

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About the Richie Brace

The Richie Brace is a revolutionary alternative to traditional ankle braces and ankle-foot orthoses (AFO’s). The lightweight construction and low profile design features of the Richie Brace allows better shoe fit, more freedom of movement and reduced pain from injury. 

The Richie Brace is fabricated from an impression cast taken from the patient’s foot and lower leg. It’s lightweight, low-profile design is preferred by patients over traditional longer leg solid shell ankle foot orthoses.

Firefly reveal first 3D printed foot orthotics

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We are excited to announce the production and distribution of our first batch of 3D printed foot orthotics.  The move to produce 3D printed orthotics is part of a company-wide policy of adopting more processes and procedures that align with current and future technologies, both in the manufacture of orthoses and in how podiatrists interact with their patients during the prescription processes.

Initial sets of 3D printed orthotics have been produced and shipped to select Firefly associate podiatrists.

Developments in technology have allowed for new manufacturing methods to produce products that offer more benefits for both the podiatrist and patient.

Our state of the art devices are constructed by a multi-jet fusion process which provides unprecedented design freedom for Firefly to create innovative designs to help the podiatrist achieve better patient outcomes.

Our 3D printed range will allow for quicker turn around times which means the podiatrist can have prescription orthoses back with the patient for fitting quicker.

For the patient, the manufacturing technique changes the boundaries of what is achievable. Firefly is working on innovative designs that will allow the podiatrist treat complex foot and ankle pathologies by selecting from a suite of 3D printed device types with novel design features. Lower-level patient benefits include personalisation of devices by potentially incorporating the patients name in the product design.

Greater numbers of Firefly associate podiatrists are using the iOS/Structure Sensor scanning combination to capture patient foot data. This has lead to Firefly producing our own iPad scanning application that is due for release in the coming months.

Firefly MSK Workshop | Dundalk

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The Firefly MSK Workshop is returning to Ireland this September. Learn effective MSK assessments and
foot orthotic prescription writing techniques so you can achieve better patient outcomes.

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June MSK Workshop – A REVIEW

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We’ve just wrapped up our June Firefly MSK Workshop. The event was hosted in central London and was attended by 16 podiatrists from across the UK.

The goal of the workshop is to increase the knowledge of the attendees so they treat more complex foot and ankle pathologies when they return to their own clinics.

The course is designed with a focus on practical learning but the event got underway with Firefly podiatrist Sarah O’Connell delivering some biomechanics theory as a starting point.

The mid-morning session introduced the more practical elements of the course with attendees learning simple but effective MSK assessments.

To keep the workshop attendees fueled, Firefly offered a diverse and healthy lunch menu which was very positively received going by the post-event feedback.

In the afternoon our UK Client Support Lead, Eimear Kenny delivered a module on prescription writing. This module explored pathology specific orthoses and materials.

Martin Mc Geough, Firefly’s Founder and Medical Director demonstrated plaster of Paris casting techniques and developments in 3D scanning technology.

The course was brought to a close with the group working through a number of MSK related case studies.

All Firefly’s educational events are accredited by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, Glasgow, with each attendees earning 6 CPD points.

If you are interested in enrolling on future Firefly MSK educational events join our education mailing list.

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Firefly MSK Workshop is a month away

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We’re just over a month away from our next CPD accredited Firefly MSK Workshop scheduled for June 29th in central London and only a handful of places remain.

The event is designed to help you achieve better patient outcomes and forces on the following topics:

  • force vs alignment (theory)
  • simple but effective MSK assessments
  • prescription writing for custom made foot orthoses
  • case studies

The workshop begins by laying down a theoretical grounding from which the practical aspects of the workshop can be built upon. Firefly podiatrists will demonstrate a number of simple but effective MSK assessments that you can use in your clinic to help influence how you treat a range of pathologies.

It may appear there are many barriers to prescribing custom made foot orthoses. The workshop is designed to remove these barriers and broaden your scope of podiatric practice. Why refer your patient’s on for orthotic therapy when you can lead their pathology management?

For further details, including Workshop schedule, MSK assessments, CPD points and previous attendee testimonials, visit our workshop page.

PodCast: Utilising an AFO as a rehabilitation tool in Adult Acquired Flat Foot

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Firefly podiatrist, Sarah O’Connell presents an audio format case study on the treatment for Adult Acquired Flatfoot using a Richie Brace as a rehabilitation tool. Joining Sarah to discuss the case study is Martin Mc Geough of Firefly.

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Firefly Orthoses: A Case Study

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In the wake of Britain’s departure from the European Union, Firefly Orthoses has featured as an Atlantic Economic Corridor Brexit case study. Instead of dwelling on the negative impact, Firefly has focused on the business potentials that Brexit can bring.

Research and Development Department

Building upon the success of the Firefly Summit in 2017, the wheels of innovation are truly in motion in Firefly. Earlier this year we established our own Research and Development department, headed up by Jari Pallari PhD, who arrives at the company with a wealth of knowledge in orthotic product engineering and additive manufacturing.

As the case study highlights, this is a very exciting moment in Firefly Orthoses. With various opportunities in product design, podiatric education and training being developed, the company is looking toward a bright future despite the political uncertainty created by Brexit.

What is the Atlantic Economic Corridor (AEC)?

The AEC is the term applied to a non-administrative or “linear” region along the Irish Western seaboard, stretching from County Kerry to County Donegal. The AEC aims to build and increase collaboration within the region that maximises its assets, attracts investment and creates jobs and prosperity in the region.

Book your place on June’s MSK Workshop

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This weekend the Firefly MSK Workshop takes place in Central London. The event is proving increasingly popular among podiatrists seeking to up-skill in the area of MSK and biomechanics.

With continued demand for more Firefly MSK educational events, the next workshop has been scheduled for 29th of June and you can book your place now.

BOOK NOW

The worskhop is highly practical with lots of hands on learning and covers the following topics:

  • Evidence-Based Practice – Alignment Vs Force
  • MSK Assessments
  • Prescription Writing

We held our first workshop in Firefly’s head office in Sligo last October where podiatrists from across the UK, Ireland and further afield attended. You can read the review from that workshop here.

CPD ACCREDITED

The workshop is fully CPD accredited by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow.

SMALL CLASS SIZE

To ensure you get the most from the workshop and to maximise your time, places on the workshop will be limited and allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. The workshop is highly practical with lots of hands-on learning so small class sizes are required.

Prescription writing gold | Firefly MSK Workshop

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With just a month to go until our March MSK Workshop in London, Martin Mc Geough discusses his prescription writing module designed to simplify the prescription writing process. Click to learn more and book your place.

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