“Both systems have high-tech specs”

At “Gesundheitshaus der Zukunft” (health center of the future), the Bodytronic 610 measurement system is in frequent use. In two other branches of Sanitätshaus Schütt & Grundei medical supply retailer in Lübeck, Germany, Bodytronic 600 systems are used. “Choosing one system is not a negative reflection on the other one,” explains Managing Director, Jaana Grundei-Lorenzen. “Both have their merits.”

It is only a few hundred meters from one branch to the other but the customer base changes with the location. While the Osterweide branch close to Schleswig-Holstein University Hospital (UKSH) on the Lübeck Campus generally treats standard walk-in customers, the new “Gesundheitshaus der Zukunft” is mainly visited by the hospital’s patients but also staff, physical therapists, physicians and carers. This is not a great surprise because the most recent branch store of Schütt & Grundei is situated right in the center of the UKSH premises. The central location is characterized by short distances and quick, uncomplicated processes for everyone involved in orthotist care. “We have developed a glass-enclosed workshop where we also offer advice,” Jaana Grundei-Lorenzen proudly explains. “In addition to patients, we also want to demonstrate our expertise to therapists, and at the same time, invite them on-site as advisers. We focus on treating the back and upper extremities.”

Contact-free measurement

In order to provide reliable upper body products, the managing director and her team have chosen the Bodytronic 610 3D measurement system. A far-sighted decision, as it turned out. Of course, the pandemic could not have been foreseen by Schütt & Grundei either, but a result of their investment experienced a real boom: measurement complying with high hygienic standards.

“In a ‘health center of the future’, contact-free, state-of-the-art measurement for the whole body makes absolute sense, independent of COVID-19,” says the manager. “Just as digital measurements using the Bodytronic 600 make sense at our Osterweide and Bad Schwartau locations, which is as quick and paperless as the Bodytronic 610. It’s all about the relevant requirements. Both systems have high-tech specs.”

Data export in industry applications

Marcus Werber, Head of Orthopedic Technology at Schütt & Grundei, is also convinced by the equal justification of the two systems. The certified master orthotist knows the full-body scanning systems from many years of experience: “The Bodytronic 610 records the entire upper and lower body together in a single measurement process. The data gained is absolutely reliable. Upper body measurements can be derived to determine a suitable product and used to find the right size.” This is directly followed by the order process for hip braces as well as supports and braces for the back, spine, shoulder, hand, elbow, and arm sleeves via the Bauerfeind online shop. “The Bodytronic 600 can also record 3D data for the upper and lower body,” Marcus Werber adds. “We predominantly use the system for compression garments, but increasingly for other items too.” Data from upper body measurements using the Bodytronic 600 cannot be used to generate body dimensions, but they can be exported, for example to create models for making corsets (see Bauerfeind life 2020/3). Both systems have in common that they can be used with Acriba and Sanivisions software. Measuring only for stockings – these times are long gone.

Recording all body dimensions 

With all the shared advantages offered by the Bodytronic 610 and Bodytronic 600, such as the quick, contact-free and exact measurement of all body dimensions, the “blue light missing from the Bodytronic 610” is something Marcus Werber will be able to get over. “But it’s a real surprise how important the design of the systems is to the customer,” Marcus Werber observes: “As soon as the patient’s body appears on the screen, the patient is immediately convinced by both the accuracy of the measurement and the effectiveness of the chosen product.” According to Marcus Werber, the “technological customer experience” creates trust, promotes dialog with the customer and is also actively requested. “We’ve picked up on this trend and sent out corresponding advertising flyers for customer information,” Managing Director Jaana Grundei-Lorenzen adds. “Interestingly, it’s our older customers who show an increasing interest in the Bodytronic measurement technology and subsequently want to use it.”

“I would make exactly the same decision”

Whether the Bodytronic 610 or Bodytronic 600 is used depends on the specific requirements of the medical supply retailer. Both systems are relevant for Schütt & Grundei and are used in the branches according to need, functional scope and available space. The measurement data recorded with the Bodytronic 610 and Bodytronic 600 can be used in the Bauerfeind online shop from different work stations. Orders can also be placed independent of the measurement process, individually or accumulated, at a later time. “When we had problems, which was the case only in the beginning, the always reliable Bauerfeind Hotline was available to help straight away,” Jaana Grundei-Lorenzen reports. So it is not surprising that the managing director is pleased with the overall results: “If I was faced again with the choice of which measurement systems to use for which branch, I would make exactly the same decision.”

Images: Stefan Volk