Rhett Goes Digital

Today was our second appointment at Cranial Technologies clinic in Austin.  The purpose of today's appointment was to take measurements of Rhett's head so that his helmet could be made specific to his needs.  Cranial Tech does not use the traditional casting method, but instead, the DSi (Digital Surface Imaging).  The DSi technology utilizes a series of high-resolution digital cameras strategically placed to capture a complete 360-degree image of an infant's head shape.  No messy plaster here, people!

We left at 7:15 a.m. this morning for our 10:30 a.m. appointment.  We actually got there around 10 a.m. so that I could feed the babies before Rhett's appointment.  The clinic was so accommodating, and had a room ready for us when we got there.

Arriving at Cranial Tech

After the babies ate, we had to get Rhett undressed down to his diaper.  He loves not wearing clothes....so he was pretty happy!

 Totally relaxed....look at those feet crossed AGAIN!

Playing with daddy waiting for our appointment

Then Miss G came in and explained what was about to happen.  She needed to put a net over Rhett's head to keep his hair down while they took the images.  I was so worried that he was going to scream and not like it, but he proved me wrong.  :)   

She played a little game of peek-a-boo with him first to get him used to her and the net.  She let him touch it, lick it (yes, it's true!) and hold it.  Then she gently put it on him.  He didn't seem to care one bit!

 playing peek-a-boo

 Miss G put the hairnet on very slowly

 one more round of peek-a-boo

 and it's on!

Rhett kept trying to lick and eat the hairnet....YUM!

Now it was time for the images.  We went into another room and they sat Rhett on a little stool in the middle of the room.  He was surrounded by 15 high-resolution cameras.  Their cameras capture images that are accurate within a fraction of a millimeter.

 sitting up nice and tall

 looking straight ahead

 there are cameras on all sides and above Rhett

 Daddy and Rhys cheering Rhett on

While Miss G held Rhett on the stool, Emily kept Rhett's attention.  She had lots of fun toys that made noises and had bright lights.  The screen behind her also had images flashing for him to look at.  The DSi image is obtained in 1/180th of a second.

 cool toys!

here you can see the screen with the pictures

what a brave boy!

all finished!

After the images were taken, we went into another room to wait for the pictures to process.  Rhett got a new diaper and change of clothes (since he spit up on his) while we waited.  Rhys joined in and did a little tummy time while "talking" to Rhett while he got changed.  I'm sure she told him how proud she was of him!

"way to go, Rhett!"

After the images were processed, they took us back into the DSi room.  It was really amazing!  I appreciated that they explained all of the images, and told us how they would use them to create Rhett's DocBand.

They did emphasize again today that Rhett's case of plagiocephaly is very severe.  He will most likely need 2 helmets.  Only 20% of the children that they see need 2 helmets....most get the results they need with just one.
You can see how abnormal his head shape is with this image that they took:

We left with two tired, but happy babies.   Daddy took mommy to Sonic, and then everyone was happy.

We will go back to Cranial Tech in 2 weeks, on September 12, to get Rhett's DocBand.  We will learn how to put it on him, how to clean it, care for it, etc.

Thank you for your continued prayers!