Advisor Information
Jorge Zuniga
Presentation Type
Poster
Start Date
1-3-2019 12:30 PM
End Date
1-3-2019 1:45 AM
Abstract
Despite the frequency of musculoskeletal injuries such as sprains, broken bones and torn ligaments1, treatment options are often costly, time-consuming and ill-fitted.2,3 Additive manufacturing (“3D-printing) allows for the production of highly-customized and inexpensive assistive devices4, which suggests potential efficacy in the prescription of splints and casts for musculoskeletal injury.3 In the present study, a parametric, customizable splint/cast was created using a computer-aided design (CAD) package (Fusion 360, Autodesk, San Rafael, CA, USA) and produced with low-cost, desktop 3D printing (Ultimaker 2+ Extended, Ultimaker, Geldermalsen, Netherlands). Fitting of the devices was performed on five healthy subjects (mean age 23.6 +/- 1.51 years, n = 4 male), and function was assessed by a certified clinician in comparison to commonly prescribed devices. The function of the custom, 3D-printed assistive devices was found to be similar to that of standard wrist splints and short arm casts, with the added benefits of reduced weight, enhanced water resistance and better ventilation. These results suggest that additive manufacturing may be promising in the treatment of common musculoskeletal injuries.
- Holder NL, Clark HA, DiBlasio JM, Hughes CL, Scherpf JW, Harding L & Shepard KF, Physical therapy, 79(7), 642-652, 1999.
- Dombroski CE, Balsdon ME, & Froats A, BMC research notes, 7(1), 443, 2014.
- Kim H & Jeong S, Journal of mechanical science and technology, 29(12), 5151-5156, 2015
- Zuniga JM, Peck JL, Srivastava R, Pierce JE, Dudley DR, Than NA & Stergiou N, Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, 1-7, 2017.
Included in
Biomechanical Engineering Commons, Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering Commons, Kinesiotherapy Commons, Orthotics and Prosthetics Commons
Efficacy of Assistive Devices Produced with Additive Manufacturing
Despite the frequency of musculoskeletal injuries such as sprains, broken bones and torn ligaments1, treatment options are often costly, time-consuming and ill-fitted.2,3 Additive manufacturing (“3D-printing) allows for the production of highly-customized and inexpensive assistive devices4, which suggests potential efficacy in the prescription of splints and casts for musculoskeletal injury.3 In the present study, a parametric, customizable splint/cast was created using a computer-aided design (CAD) package (Fusion 360, Autodesk, San Rafael, CA, USA) and produced with low-cost, desktop 3D printing (Ultimaker 2+ Extended, Ultimaker, Geldermalsen, Netherlands). Fitting of the devices was performed on five healthy subjects (mean age 23.6 +/- 1.51 years, n = 4 male), and function was assessed by a certified clinician in comparison to commonly prescribed devices. The function of the custom, 3D-printed assistive devices was found to be similar to that of standard wrist splints and short arm casts, with the added benefits of reduced weight, enhanced water resistance and better ventilation. These results suggest that additive manufacturing may be promising in the treatment of common musculoskeletal injuries.
- Holder NL, Clark HA, DiBlasio JM, Hughes CL, Scherpf JW, Harding L & Shepard KF, Physical therapy, 79(7), 642-652, 1999.
- Dombroski CE, Balsdon ME, & Froats A, BMC research notes, 7(1), 443, 2014.
- Kim H & Jeong S, Journal of mechanical science and technology, 29(12), 5151-5156, 2015
- Zuniga JM, Peck JL, Srivastava R, Pierce JE, Dudley DR, Than NA & Stergiou N, Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, 1-7, 2017.