Patient specific ankle-foot orthoses using rapid prototyping

Background Prefabricated orthotic devices are currently designed to fit a range of patients and therefore they do not provide individualized comfort and function. Custom-fit orthoses are superior to prefabricated orthotic devices from both of the above-mentioned standpoints. However, creating a custom-fit orthosis is a laborious and time-intensive manual process performed by skilled orthotists. Besides, adjustments made to both prefabricated and custom-fit orthoses are carried out in a qualitative manner. So both comfort and function can potentially suffer considerably. A computerized technique for fabricating patient-specific orthotic devices has the potential to provide excellent comfort and allow for changes in the standard design to meet the specific needs of each patient. Methods In this paper, 3D laser scanning is combined with rapid prototyping to create patient-specific orthoses. A novel process was engineered to utilize patient-specific surface data of the patient anatomy as a digital input, manipulate the surface data to an optimal form using Computer Aided Design (CAD) software, and then download the digital output from the CAD software to a rapid prototyping machine for fabrication. Results Two AFOs were rapidly prototyped to demonstrate the proposed process. Gait analysis data of a subject wearing the AFOs indicated that the rapid prototyped AFOs performed comparably to the prefabricated polypropylene design. Conclusions The rapidly prototyped orthoses fabricated in this study provided good fit of the subject's anatomy compared to a prefabricated AFO while delivering comparable function (i.e. mechanical effect on the biomechanics of gait). The rapid fabrication capability is of interest because it has potential for decreasing fabrication time and cost especially when a replacement of the orthosis is required

Overview study on challenges of additive manufacturing for a healthcare application

Additive manufacturing is a rapidly evolving manufacturing technology bringing numerous and wide opportunities for the design team involved in the process by creating intricate and customized products with saving labor, time, and other expenses. Innovative AM methods and numerous practical applications in aerospace, automotive, medical, energy, and other industries have been developed and commercialized through extensive research over the last two decades. One embraced industry among others that benefited from the advances of AM is the healthcare industry. This paper focuses on addressing the challenges and opportunities in Additive manufacturing for healthcare. Although there are advanced possibilities in AM, there are also numerous issues needed to be overcome. The paper is based upon the current state-of-the-art review and study visits. The purpose of this work has been to identify the opportunities and limitations associated with additive manufacturing in healthcare applications and to highlight the identified research needs

Overview study on challenges of additive manufacturing for a healthcare application

Additive manufacturing is a rapidly evolving manufacturing technology bringing numerous and wide opportunities for the design team involved in the process by creating intricate and customized products with saving labor, time, and other expenses. Innovative AM methods and numerous practical applications in aerospace, automotive, medical, energy, and other industries have been developed and commercialized through extensive research over the last two decades. One embraced industry among others that benefited from the advances of AM is the healthcare industry. This paper focuses on addressing the challenges and opportunities in Additive manufacturing for healthcare. Although there are advanced possibilities in AM, there are also numerous issues needed to be overcome. The paper is based upon the current state-of-the-art review and study visits. The purpose of this work has been to identify the opportunities and limitations associated with additive manufacturing in healthcare applications and to highlight the identified research needs.publishedVersio

Cost-effective 3D scanning and printing technologies for outer ear reconstruction: Current status

Current 3D scanning and printing technologies offer not only state-of-the-art developments in the field of medical imaging and bio-engineering, but also cost and time effective solutions for surgical reconstruction procedures. Besides tissue engineering, where living cells are used, bio-compatible polymers or synthetic resin can be applied. The combination of 3D handheld scanning devices or volumetric imaging, (open-source) image processing packages, and 3D printers form a complete workflow chain that is capable of effective rapid prototyping of outer ear replicas. This paper reviews current possibilities and latest use cases for 3D-scanning, data processing and printing of outer ear replicas with a focus on low-cost solutions for rehabilitation engineering

Rapid prototyping modelling in oral and maxillofacial surgery: a two year retrospective study

Background: The use of rapid prototyping (RP) models in medicine to construct bony models is increasing. Material and Methods: The aim of the study was to evaluate retrospectively the indication for the use of RP models in oral and maxillofacial surgery at Helsinki University Central Hospital during 2009-2010. Also, the used computed tomography (CT) examination – multislice CT (MSCT) or cone beam CT (CBCT) - method was evaluated. Results: In total 114 RP models were fabricated for 102 patients. The mean age of the patients at the time of the production of the model was 50.4 years. The indications for the modelling included malignant lesions (29%), secondary reconstruction (25%), prosthodontic treatment (22%), orthognathic surgery or asymmetry (13%), benign lesions (8%), and TMJ disorders (4%). MSCT examination was used in 92 and CBCT examination in 22 cases. Most of the models (75%) were conventional hard tissue models. Models with colored tumour or other structure(s) of interest were ordered in 24%. Two out of the 114 models were soft tissue models. Conclusions: The main benefit of the models was in treatment planning and in connection with the production of pre-bent plates or custom made implants. The RP models both facilitate and improve treatment planning and intraoperative efficiency

The potential of additive manufacturing in the smart factory industrial 4.0: A review

Additive manufacturing (AM) or three-dimensional (3D) printing has introduced a novel production method in design, manufacturing, and distribution to end-users. This technology has provided great freedom in design for creating complex components, highly customizable products, and efficient waste minimization. The last industrial revolution, namely industry 4.0, employs the integration of smart manufacturing systems and developed information technologies. Accordingly, AM plays a principal role in industry 4.0 thanks to numerous benefits, such as time and material saving, rapid prototyping, high efficiency, and decentralized production methods. This review paper is to organize a comprehensive study on AM technology and present the latest achievements and industrial applications. Besides that, this paper investigates the sustainability dimensions of the AM process and the added values in economic, social, and environment sections. Finally, the paper concludes by pointing out the future trend of AM in technology, applications, and materials aspects that have the potential to come up with new ideas for the future of AM explorations

PhysioSkin: Rapid Fabrication of Skin-Conformal Physiological Interfaces

Advances in rapid prototyping platforms have made physiological sensing accessible to a wide audience. However, off-the-shelf electrodes commonly used for capturing biosignals are typically thick, non-conformal and do not support customization. We present PhysioSkin, a rapid, do-it-yourself prototyping method for fabricating custom multi-modal physiological sensors, using commercial materials and a commodity desktop inkjet printer. It realizes ultrathin skin-conformal patches (~1μm) and interactive textiles that capture sEMG, EDA and ECG signals. It further supports fabricating devices with custom levels of thickness and stretchability. We present detailed fabrication explorations on multiple substrate materials, functional inks and skin adhesive materials. Informed from the literature, we also provide design recommendations for each of the modalities. Evaluation results show that the sensor patches achieve a high signal-to-noise ratio. Example applications demonstrate the functionality and versatility of our approach for prototyping a next generation of physiological devices that intimately couple with the human body

Occupational Therapy Resource Guide for the Utilization of Three-Dimensional Printing

Many practitioners in the field of occupational therapy are unaware of the benefits and importance of implementing a three-dimensional (3D) printer in practice indicating that there is a need for occupational therapy involving the fitting, environmental modifications, and training on how to properly use a 3D printed prosthetic within the upper extremity. 3D printing is when a digital design is converted into a designed material that has a functional purpose and different materials can be used including metal, plastics, and composite materials (Thomas & Claypole, 2016). 3D printing has many unique and effective uses like creating adaptive devices, feeding devices, prosthesis, and splinting. While 3D printing is currently being implemented across certain pediatric populations creating prosthesis, a lack of evidence was noted regarding the use of a 3D printer throughout occupational therapy. (Burn, M. B., Anderson, T., & Gogola, G. R., 2016). This is unfortunate as 3D printing is an innovative field of study that can aid many populations in becoming more independent and functional in daily tasks while increasing quality of life. A comprehensive literature review on the populations that utilize printing was conducted. The lack of occupational therapy involvement in the transition process of creating and training for the use of a 3D prosthetic, yields the demand for occupational therapy services. The information obtained aided in the development of a resource guide containing the importance of occupational therapy services involved with the transition process of a 3D printing. The literature review led the authors to focus on the main areas of rehabilitation phases, splinting and prosthetics, adaptive equipment, 3D printers, printing filaments, and various safety considerations. The integration of occupational therapy in 3D printing will greatly ease the clients’ transitions during rehabilitation phases while increasing their level of function and quality of life. 3D printing is a cost effective, user-friendly, creative, and innovative approach to add to practice. 3D printing is an up-and-coming area of occupational therapy and has the potential to change lives

Design And Fabrication Of Ankle Foot Orthosis Utilising 3d Scanner And 3d Printing

In this research, two types of AFOs which are Solid AFO and Free Motion AFO are designed and fabricated utilizing 3D scanning and 3D printing techniques. The major difference between the two designs is that Solid AFO is made of one solid part. The back of the Solid AFO is covered completely and thus allow no ankle motion. For Free Motion AFO, it is equipped with flexure joints which allows plantarflexion and dorsiflexion at the ankle. The process began with the 3D scanning process using an iPad and Structure sensor. Several intermediate processes are performed such as mesh cleaning, CAD design, slicing and calibrations before proceeding with 3D printing using fused deposition machining (FDM) printer. The part orientation is varied with four different orientations (flatwise, sidewise, 45 degrees upright with normal support and 45 degrees upright with tree support) and the performance of each orientation is studied. Orientation 4 (45 degrees upright with tree support) is selected as the optimum orientation due to the optimum material consumption (40 gram and 13.44 meters) and print time (10 hours and 36 minutes), as well as the outperform quality. Finite element analysis is performed to study the behaviour of the designs under static and dynamic loadings. Static structural analysis is performed to replicate the behaviour of the AFO designs under static loading conditions as the result of the ground reaction forces exerted on the AFO by the ground. On the other hand, transient structural analysis is performed by considering the real-time force applied to the AFO at different tibia angles with respect to four stages of the stance phase (loading response stage, mid-stance stage, terminal stance stage and pre-swing stage)

Digitalising Dentistry: A Review

Digitalisation has not left any part of our lives untouched and dentistry is no exception to it. It has revolutionised dentistry in unimaginable ways.The denture market is continously growing and advancing to better suit the patient needs. The denture or medical technology has evolved massively from its infancy stage to maturity. If you haven't visited a dentist for some time, you may be surprised to discover that there are a lot of new options to keep teeth healthy and beautiful