Townsville hospital’s new 3D scanning tech revolutionises infant helmet fitting

A new innovative 3D scanning tool in Townsville University Hospital’s prosthetics and orthotics department, making it less invasive for babies requiring remodelling helmets. See how.

Prosthetist orthotist Chloe Botella, Frankie Powell and Rhianna Powell at Townsville University Hospital with a new state-of-the-art scanning tool which uses blue light to capture the shape of a child’s head. The information is used to create custom helmets to help correct uneven or flattened head shapes.

A new innovative 3D scanning tool in Townsville University Hospital’s prosthetics and orthotics department, making it less invasive for babies requiring remodelling helmets.

The state-of-the-art technology uses blue light technology to create a 3d model of the shape of the baby’s head and is used to create a custom helmet as a way of gently correcting infants’ uneven or flattened heads.

Townsville mum Rhianna Powell’s eight-month-old daughter Frankie was one of the first patients to have a helmet developed by the new scanner after Ms Powell noticed her daughter’s head was asymmetrical.

“We didn’t really know what to expect when we had our first appointment with the prosthetics

and orthotics department,” Ms Powell said.

“Frankie is a bit of a handful, and we were worried how using plaster might have been for

her, but the scanning tool was just so easy.

“She just sat there while they scanned her head, and then a few days later, we had the

custom-made helmet.

“We are really happy with the process and the level of support the staff have given to us.”

Prosthetist orthotist Chloe Botella said the process of the new scanner creates a less stressful environment for the infants, making it easier to get the information needed to create the cranial remodelling helmets.

“The other method we use involves hand casting using plaster, which can be quite traumatic

for the child,” Ms Botella said.

“Having the baby’s ears covered up while the plaster heats and dries would cause them discomfort.

“The new scanning tool allows us to safely capture a cranial image without needing to touch

the head.

“The information is fed to a computer and sent to a specialist manufacturer who creates a

custom cranial remodelling helmet.”

While there may still be instances where the plaster method is still needed, this provides a more accessible option.

Originally published as Townsville hospital’s new 3D scanning tech revolutionises infant helmet fitting