Customized 3D printed ankle-foot orthosis with adaptable carbon fibre composite spring joint
Customized 3D printed ankle-foot orthosis with adaptable carbon fibre composite spring joint
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具有适应性碳纤维复合弹簧接头的定制 3D 打印踝足矫形器
DOI：
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发表时间：
2016
期刊：
影响因子：
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通讯作者：
A. McDaid
中科院分区：
文献类型：
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作者：
M. Walbran;K. Turner;A. McDaid
摘要神经肌肉疾病和损伤，如脑瘫和中风，经常会导致足下垂，导致一个人行走非常困难。多年来，踝足矫形器(AFO)或夹板一直被用来限制踝关节的活动范围，为患者提供支持，并帮助康复。然而，大多数AFO需要一个漫长的、劳动密集型的制造过程，这导致快速成长的儿童和病情各不相同的患者需要无法接受的等待时间。这项研究提出了一种新的AFO制造方法，利用数字和加法制造技术来定制适合个人的尺寸和形状。通过在脚踝关节上安装可互换的碳纤维弹簧，该设计将产生更强大、更舒适、更灵活的AFO，可以适应各种不同活动的脚踝运动。已经开发了三次AFO设计迭代并进行了测试，以验证其有效性。设计和建造了一台定制的机器，以便对AFO的刚性值进行经验测试，并根据输入参数确定最佳的AFO几何形状。这台机器已经证明了最终AFO设计的结构完整性。在设计过程的部分自动化方面取得了进展，这将大大减少人工需求，从而减少制造延误时间。
Abstract Neuromuscular disorders and injuries such as cerebral palsy and stroke often result in foot-drop which can result in a person having great difficulty walking. Ankle foot orthoses (AFOs) or splints have been prescribed for many years now to limit the range of motion of the ankle, provide the patients with support and assist with rehabilitation. However the majority of AFOs require a long, labour-intensive manufacturing process which results in unacceptable waiting times for children that are rapidly growing and patients with varying conditions. This research proposes a new approach to AFO manufacturing that utilizes digital and additive manufacturing technologies to customise the fit and form to an individual. By implementing an interchangeable carbon fibre spring at the ankle joint the design will result in a stronger, more comfortable, more flexible AFO that can adaptively constrain ankle movement for various different activities. Three iterations of AFO design have been developed and tested to validate their efficacy. A custom machine has been designed and constructed in order to empirically test stiffness values for the AFO and allow for optimal AFO geometry based on input parameters. This machine has proven the structural integrity of the final AFO design. Progress has been made in automating parts of the design process which will significantly reduce labour requirements and hence manufacturing delay times.