Re: Active vs. Passive

[Guest guest]

Thank you - nothing like going right to the source of the first explanation to get a clear understanding.

Active vs. PassiveMore clarification between what is an active band vs. a passive band:http://www.acpoc.org/library/2004_02_022.asp?searchquery=dynamic%20passiveBefore development of Dynamic Orthotic Cranioplasty (DOCband), treatment forplagiocephaly involved the use of what has now become known as a "passive"molding helmet. The theory behind these devices was "if the pressure of arapidly growing brain against a flat surface would flatten the skull, thenpressure against a concave surface should round it back again". In severalclinical studies, cranial symmetry was shown to have improved with use ofthese devices as the brain grew and filled out the helmet. These helmetswere typically worn until the head was the same size as the helmet, andtreatment was complete when "the head took on the shape of the helmet". Theconcept of the molding helmet is fundamentally sound, and revolutionized thetreatment of plagiocephaly in the United States.The development of the dynamic approach took this concept one step further.Rather than waiting for the head to grow into a symmetric mold, CranialTechnologies designed a system that immediately applied a corrective forceto the prominent areas of the skull where there was no need for growth,while leaving room for growth in the adjacent flattened regions. An innerfoam liner was incorporated, and infants were required to be evaluated on aweekly to biweekly basis, for adjustments to this liner, to control thecorrection being achieved. Because pressures are applied immediately at theonset of treatment, changes are often observed within the first week. Thisimmediate application of corrective forces has also extended theeffectiveness of the device well into the second year of life. However, itis the process of continuously monitoring the correction being achieved, andthen modifying the band based upon this information (therefore modifying thecorrective pressures) that is the origin of the word dynamic in DynamicOrthotic Cranioplasty.MollyNovato, CaliforniaNicolas, 4, tort & plagio, STARband (CIRS Oakland) 4/24/06-9/12/06,Graduate!, 7, 10