At the 2017 AOPA World Congress, held September 6 in Las Vegas, NV, Boston Orthotics & Prosthetics held a training workshop for orthotists and clinicians on the new Boston Brace 3D®.
The Boston Brace 3D is the latest evolution of the Boston Brace System, invented in 1975 by Boston O&P founder M.E. "Bill" Miller. The Boston Brace 3D is custom-fabricated for each individual patient using a digital laser scan and precise measurements to create a 3D CAD/CAM model.
To recognize Miller’s important contribution to the O&P field, the American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association posthumously awarded Miller with the 2017 AOPA World Congress Inventor Award for his work developing and educating the O&P profession on the Boston Brace system, the first thermoplastic bracing system for the non-operative treatment of scoliosis.
One of Miller’s sons, James "Rusty" Miller, accepted the award on behalf of the Miller family. “Dad worked tirelessly to teach us all a systematic, repeatable and effective approach to the non-operative management of scoliosis,” Miller said in his acceptance speech. “The Boston Brace System is more than just a device, it is a patient-centric, comprehensive team approach that has been utilized, studied and proven to be effective in the long-term throughout the world.”
The Boston Brace was also featured as part of the AOPA’s Walk Through Time display at the Congress—an exhibit open to attendees that includes interesting information and artifacts depicting the Association and the profession over the years.