The difference between using foot 3D laser scanners in shoe stores and hospitals

You may have heard of the term "foot 3D laser scanner",

Maybe you have seen it in a high-end shoe store,

Maybe you have seen it in a rehabilitation department or orthopedic hospital,

But have you ever thought about why the same device has different functions and positioning in different places?

Today we will talk about the different roles of foot 3D laser scanners in shoe stores and hospitals.

What is a foot 3D laser scanner?

This is a device that uses laser and infrared ranging technology to perform a full-scale scan of the foot. It can obtain three-dimensional data such as foot length, foot width, arch height, instep curve, etc. in a few seconds, and generate a high-precision 3D model.

Its accuracy usually reaches the millimeter level, comparable to "taking a CT scan of the foot", and is widely used in foot health management and customized product design.

In shoe stores: serving comfort and fit

In high-end shoe stores, custom insole stores or sports brand experience stores, foot 3D scanners are more like "advanced foot measuring tools".

There are two main purposes:

1. Accurately select shoe size and match shoe structure

No longer choose shoes based on foot length alone. The scanned data can determine whether your feet are wide or narrow, whether the hallux is turned outward, and whether the instep is high, so as to recommend more suitable shoe lasts and shoes.

2. Used for custom insoles and shoes

Combined with the gait analysis system, the scan data can be used to make private custom insoles, so that the arch support and force buffering are more in line with the individual foot shape, improve the wearing experience, and reduce fatigue.

Simply put: in the shoe store, the scanner helps you find the "most comfortable pair".

In the hospital: for diagnosis and correction

In the hospital or rehabilitation institution, the role of the foot 3D scanner is more professional and the function is more in-depth.

1. Assist doctors in foot structure analysis

Doctors will use the scan data to determine whether there are structural problems, such as flat feet, high arch feet, eversion, inversion, etc., and can even be used to assess the risk of diabetic foot and rheumatoid foot.

2. For rehabilitation and orthopedic assessment and follow-up treatment

For children with abnormal bone development, elderly people with unstable walking, and patients undergoing postoperative rehabilitation, doctors can use scanning data to formulate intervention plans, such as customizing corrective insoles and foot braces, or monitoring the correction effect.

3. Combined with medical imaging, cross-platform analysis

The data collected by the scanner can also be compared with data such as X-rays and MRI to build a multi-dimensional analysis model to improve diagnostic accuracy.

Simply put: In hospitals, scanners help doctors better "understand your feet."

What is the essential difference between the two?

It can be understood as follows:

In shoe stores, it is part of the service experience and helps improve wearing comfort;

In hospitals, it is part of the diagnosis and treatment tools to assist doctors in making accurate judgments.

One is biased towards "life scenarios" and the other focuses on "medical scenarios."

Although the equipment is the same, the application logic, analysis depth and decision-making basis are completely different.