§ 27-29.2-2. Definitions.
As used in this chapter:
(1) "Orthosis� means a custom fabricated brace or support that is designed based on medical
necessity. "Orthosis� does not include prefabricated or direct-formed orthotic devices,
or any of the following assistive technology devices: Commercially available knee
orthoses used following injury or surgery; spastic muscle-tone inhibiting orthoses;
upper extremity adaptive equipment; finger splints; hand splints; wrists gauntlets;
face masks used following burns; wheelchair seating that is an integral part of the
wheelchair and not worn by the patient independent of the wheelchair; fabric or elastic
supports; corsets; low-temperature formed plastic splints; trusses; elastic hose;
canes; crutches; cervical collars; dental appliances; and other similar devises as
determined by the director of the department of business regulation such as those
commonly carried in stock by a pharmacy, department store, corset shop, or surgical
supply facility.
(2) "Orthotics� means the science and practice of evaluating, measuring, designing, fabricating,
assembling, fitting, adjusting, or servicing, as well as providing the initial training
necessary to accomplish the fitting of an orthosis for the support, correction, or
alleviation of neuromuscular or musculoskeletal dysfunction, disease, injury, or deformity.
The practice of orthotics encompasses evaluation, treatment, and consultation with
basic observational gait and postural analysis. Orthotists assess and design orthoses
to maximize function and provide not only the support but the alignment necessary
to either prevent or correct deformity or to improve the safety and efficiency of
mobility or locomotion, or both. Orthotic practice includes providing continuing patient
care in order to assess its effect on the patient's tissues and to ensure proper fit
and function of the orthotic device by periodic evaluation.
(3) "Prosthesis� means an artificial limb that is alignable or, in lower extremity applications,
capable of weight bearing. Prosthesis means an artificial medical device that is not
surgically implanted and that is used to replace a missing limb, appendage, or other
external human body part including an artificial limb, hand, or foot. The term does
not include artificial eyes, ears, noses, dental appliances, osotmy products, or devices
such as eyelashes or wigs.
(4) "Prosthetics� means the science and practice of evaluating, measuring, designing,
fabricating, assembling, fitting, aligning, adjusting, or servicing, as well as providing
the initial training necessary to accomplish the fitting of a prosthesis through the
replacement of external parts of a human body lost due to amputation or congenital
deformities or absences. The practice of prosthetics also includes the generation
of an image, form, or mold that replicates the patient's body or body segment and
that requires rectification of dimensions, contours, and volumes for use in the design
and fabrication of a socket to accept a residual anatomic limb to, in turn, create
an artificial appendage that is designed either to support body weight or to improve
or restore function or cosmesis, or both. Involved in the practice of prosthetics
is observational gait analysis and clinical assessment of the requirements necessary
to refine and mechanically fix the relative position of various parts of the prosthesis
to maximize function, stability, and safety of the patient. The practice of prosthetics
includes providing and continuing patient care in order to assess the prosthetic device's
effect on the patient's tissues and to ensure proper fit and function of the prosthetic
device by periodic evaluation.