With over 25 years of experience in the prosthetics industry, Thomas Guth dedicated his career to developing new ways to increase the quality of life and comfort of amputees. After receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science/History from San Diego State University and later post graduate courses in Prosthetics at New York University and University of California, Los Angeles, Tom went to work for his father at RGP Prosthetic Research Center.

It was not long before Tom began to develop unique socket designs and experiment with different types of materials. In 1985 he was on the research team that developed the revolutionary CAT-CAM (Contoured Adducted Trochanteric Controlled Alignment Method) socket for amputees.

It was not long before Tom began to develop unique socket designs and pioneer the use of flexible thermoplastic and carbon fiber materials. Using a variety of plastics for different degrees of flexibility, there are materials available to suit all different types of amputations.

Tom's innovative approach to taking on different challenges has given him a national reputation as a leader in the advancement of prosthetic design. In 1985 he was on the research team that developed the Ischial Containment CAT-CAM (contoured adducted trochanteric controlled alignment method) design which revolutionized the quality of life for above knee amputees. This allowed them the freedom to walk with a normal gait and run leg over leg.

Because Tom and other researchers taught their new method at UCLA in the mid 80's, many learned to make CAT-CAM, however, since then new designs have been added that have increased performance of the socket. The most recent modifications made by Tom can only be found at RGP.

Now the sole owner of RGP, it is the largest prosthetic manufacturer on the west coast. Proceeding with the most efficient and accurate way to capture an accurate fit, RGP is one of the first to purchase the new BioSculptor CAD-CAM System which utilizes laser imaging to get an anatomically correct, total contact suction fit.

Tom continues his pursuit of prosthetic advancement through research and innovation and has a vision of people with amputations being considered able bodied.

Click here to read the most recent article written by Tom Guth.

CREDENTIALS:

• National Certification in Prosthetics
  
• Former President, California Orthotic & Prosthetic Association
  
• Director, American State of the Art Prosthetics Association
  
• Examiner for the American Academy of Orthotics and Prosthetics Board for Certification

EXPERIENCE:

• Second-generation owner of RGP Prosthetic Research Center as a practitioner and director
  
• Innovator and co-developer of the CAT-CAM (Contoured Adducted Trochanteric Controlled
• Alignment Method), an anatomically-shaped socket design for above-the-knee amputees, the first technological above-knee socket advancement since World War II
  
• Instructor, UCLA, above and below-the-knee prosthetic courses
  
• Pioneered the use of flexible thermoplastics for prosthetic sockets to allow participation of residual limb muscle activity
  
• Participated with adjunct health care professionals at the prosthetics clinic, Sharp Hospital
  
• Initiator of Legislation to benefit the physically challenged community