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In his more-than 30 years of practice, Mark Miller, CPO and owner of Miller Prosthetics & Orthotics in Belpre, Ohio, has had to embrace change and overcome challenges to achieve success in his field. “I’ve always tried to stay on the leading edge of where things are going with prosthetics,” said Miller of experimenting with new technologies.
“I’ve always tried to stay on the leading edge of where things are going with prosthetics.”
Many new ideas and softwares have emerged over the years, and Miller has always found excitement in exploring them. When he first started his company 10 years ago, Mark - along with his wife and partner Nancy - went to the New York Maker Faire, a convention of creators and inventions. 3D printing was just really starting to take off then, and Miller remembers already wanting to try printing prosthetics.
However, he was shocked by how many innovators at the Faire knocked down the idea, hailing it as impossible to print organic shapes. Still, printers emerged for that very purpose, and he eagerly tried to utilize several different brands. “I was on my 2nd or 3rd desktop 3D printer, but I was never able to really do anything with them,” Miller stated. “Getting the scan to print the right shape has always been the issue.”
But when Nancy suggested the newly-rising Galileo program, Miller didn’t hesitate to give it a try. Soon, he found the experience “refreshingly surprising” when it exceeded the team’s expectations. “At first I wasn’t sure how accurate everything was going to be, but the shapes, the process - everything seems to be really spot-on.” The ability to receive text notifications when prints are ready on their in-clinic printer, combined with the program’s efficient turnaround time, has revolutionized Miller’s day-to-day processes.
“At first I wasn’t sure how accurate everything was going to be, but the shapes, the process - everything seems to be really spot-on.”
“There’s no downtime with it,” mentioned Miller. Right now, he takes a scan, modifies it, sends in an order, and it’s ready to print in a matter of hours. He also recalled a time when he briefly stopped in the print-room to see a print had been completed. Miller started the next print and left, checking on it via a live webcam. He was in and out in minutes and had the confidence to leave it on its own so he could prioritize patients.
Another notable benefit of using Galileo, according to Miller, is the Galileo team’s dedication to constantly improving. “I’ve been doing CAD for 30 years, and you get a lot of people who don’t do what they say they’re going to do with regards to product improvements. Galileo is the opposite.” In fact, Miller was able to work with the Galileo team to get his own flexible inner print design that was optimized for their team to use in lamination.
“I’ve been doing CAD for 30 years, and you get a lot of people who don’t do what they say they’re going to do with regards to product improvements. Galileo is the opposite.”
With a passion for innovation deeply rooted in their practice, the Miller P&O team remains committed to embracing the future. In reference to whether he would recommend Galileo, “Get it,” Miller said. “...Except my competitors - they can stay behind,” he laughed.
Protosthetics was the first central fab facility in the United States to be based solely on 3D printing and CAD/CAM manufacturing. Using this technology means lower costs, shorter lead times, and repeatable, predictable quality each and every time. The introduction of the Galileo System is now bringing 3D printing revolution directly to O&P practices in a new, cost-effective way. Learn more about getting Galileo in your office by reaching out to galileo@protosthetics.com
Miller Prosthetics & Orthotics, LLC provides prosthetic and orthotic services in the Mid-Ohio Valley. They help patients nationwide from their two offices in Parkersburg, West Virginia and Belpre, Ohio. They provide high tech solutions for the best fit and service for all patients. All people with limb loss or limb differential are welcome, including below and above knee, foot and upper extremity amputees.
Darren Jacoby
Protosthetics
Tel: +1-701-478-2001
Email: galileo@protosthetics.com
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