Table of Contents
Introduction
Cranial Technologies stands as the pioneering corporation dedicated to researching, diagnosing, and treating plagiocephaly, commonly referred to as flat head syndrome. With a remarkable track record of successfully treating over 300,000 babies, the company has established itself as the leading authority in plagiocephaly treatment and prevention.
Company Overview and Expertise
Specialized Medical Staff
Cranial Technologies centers are staffed by highly trained advanced-practice clinicians, including:
- Physical Therapists
- Occupational Therapists
- Orthoptists
- Registered Nurses (RNs)
These professionals specialize exclusively in infant care, focusing on monitoring developmental milestones while providing comprehensive education and counseling to parents throughout the treatment process.
The DOC Band Treatment System
Each patient receives individualized treatment using the DOC Band, a custom-designed and manufactured cranial orthotic device. This personalized approach ensures optimal outcomes through careful observation and modification of the treatment plan as needed.
Research Leadership and Scientific Contributions
Pioneering Research Efforts
Cranial Technologies has maintained its position at the forefront of plagiocephaly research since the mid-1990s. The company’s research initiatives began in response to the significant lack of scientific literature on the subject at that time. Their commitment to advancing the field has resulted in:
- Extensive publications in peer-reviewed medical journals
- Presentations at national and international medical conferences
- Maintenance of the world’s largest database of plagiocephaly deformations
- Sponsorship of research studies investigating causes and prevention methods
FDA Approval Process
The company’s research efforts intensified when the DOC Band became the first cranial orthosis to undergo the FDA approval process. With no other FDA-approved products available at the time, extensive research was required to demonstrate:
- Medical necessity
- Safety protocols
- Patient outcome effectiveness
This groundbreaking research has paved the way for many competitive cranial orthopedic products currently available in the market.
Recent Clinical Studies
Recent research has focused on examining the effectiveness of the DOC Band for treating moderate and severe brachycephaly, contributing valuable data to the medical community’s understanding of cranial deformation treatment.
Understanding Cranial Deformations
Plagiocephaly: The Oblique Head Condition
Plagiocephaly, derived from Greek terms “plagio” (oblique) and “cephalic” (head), describes a condition where infants develop flat spots on the back or side of their heads. This relatively common condition can result from various factors, as infant skulls are particularly soft and susceptible to pressure from everyday surfaces such as beds and car seats.
Identifying Features of Plagiocephaly:
- Flattening on one side of the head
- One ear positioned more forward than the other
- Asymmetrical eye positioning
- Uneven cheek fullness
- Uneven head crown
- Parallelogram-shaped head when viewed from above
Brachycephaly: The Short Head Syndrome
Brachycephaly, from Latin “brachy” (short) and “cephalic” (head), occurs when the back of the head becomes flattened, resulting in an abnormally wide and tall head shape.
Characteristics of Brachycephaly:
- Wider than normal head dimensions
- Abnormally increased head height
- Flattened rather than curved back of head
- Proportionally smaller facial features
- Widest head measurement above the ears
- Protruding ear tips
- Trapezoid-shaped head when viewed from above
Combined Brachycephaly and Plagiocephaly
When both conditions occur simultaneously, children exhibit characteristics of both head shape abnormalities, resulting in heads that are abnormally tall, wide, and asymmetrical.
Combined Condition Features:
- Mixed traits from both conditions
- Increased head width and height
- Flattened forehead
- Misaligned ears and eyes
- Distorted trapezoid head shape from above
Advanced Treatment Solutions
Custom Cranial Implants
For more severe cases involving trauma or cranial diseases, Cranial Technologies offers personalized medical devices crafted from three highly biocompatible materials:
- Titanium Grade 5 (Ti6AI4V alloy)
- Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA)
- Polyetheretherketone (PEEK)
These custom cranial implants are designed using advanced computer-aided engineering, design, and manufacturing software (CAE/CAD/CAM), created specifically from each patient’s medical imaging data.
Clinical Applications
Custom cranial implants serve critical roles in cases requiring:
- Partial skull resection procedures
- Post-treatment reconstruction following trauma or disease management
- Cranioplasty procedures to correct deformations
- Replacement of surgically removed bone sections
Clinical Assessment and Early Detection
Healthcare Professional Training
Research indicates that training child health care nurses to assess infant cranial asymmetry provides a reliable method for early detection. Studies have demonstrated that properly educated assessors can provide consistent and interchangeable evaluations, making early intervention more accessible through child health centers.
Assessment Reliability
Clinical studies have confirmed the reliability of nursing assessments for infant cranial asymmetry, establishing standardized protocols for:
- Early detection procedures
- Consistent evaluation methods
- Reliable measurement techniques
- Effective screening programs
Conclusion
Cranial Technologies has established itself as the definitive leader in plagiocephaly treatment, successfully treating over 300,000 babies with its innovative DOC Band system. The company’s pioneering research efforts and FDA-approved solutions have set industry standards while advancing the entire field of cranial orthopedics. With specialized medical staff and custom treatment approaches, Cranial Technologies continues to provide comprehensive care from early detection through advanced surgical solutions.