IRES Track I: Model-Based Design, 3D-Printing, and Evaluation of Assistive Devices

该奖项的目的是在密歇根大学（U-M）和意大利博洛尼亚大学（UniBo）之间建立国际研究和教育伙伴关系。这项工作旨在改善残疾人及其护理人员的生活质量，将膝-踝-足矫形器护理转变为基于数据的诊断和基于模型的设计和3d打印，并为学生提供国际研究经验。此次合作的目标是为密歇根大学的学生提供高质量的国际研究经验，以增加学生的多样性和保留率，并提高学生在文化，全球化，领导能力，团队合作和沟通方面的能力和知识。这种合作的关键知识价值在于基于模型的设计，3d打印和个性化辅助设备的评估。该项目将利用从密歇根大学获得的技术知识，并将改进个性化的辅助设备，如膝盖-脚踝-脚矫形器，这是一种帮助腿部不稳定的人行走的支架。该奖项的科学目标是在密歇根大学（U-M）和意大利博洛尼亚大学（UniBo）之间建立基于模型的设计、3d打印和个性化辅助设备（iad）评估的国际研究和教育合作伙伴关系。该项目专注于3d打印和可穿戴传感器的进步，使设计和制造辅助设备能够满足个人需求。将开发患者特定的生物力学模型来分析与患者日常活动相关的运动和力量。例如，根据患者特定的膝关节运动模型，将分析和设计柔顺的3d打印膝关节，以改善个人辅助装置的功能。结合金属3d打印，精密加工和机械测试将用于制造和测试柔性膝关节。最后，通过常规和3d打印方法制造的膝-踝-足矫形器将在临床和日常活动中对患者进行评估。具体来说，该项目旨在设计、制造和评估一个个性化的膝盖-脚踝-脚矫形器（KAFO），该矫形器使用金属和塑料3d打印部件。学生将学习与KAFO相关的四个研究课题：(1)KAFO患者活动和生活方式的生物力学量化，(2)患者特定柔性膝关节的分析和设计，(3)柔性膝关节的制造，以及(4)患者特定KAFO的评估。在个性化辅助设备的设计、3d打印和评估方面提出的工作的更广泛影响是通过恢复正常的关节运动和功能来重建残疾人的生活质量。个性化的辅助设备具有良好的配合和快速交付可以极大地造福患者及其护理人员。此外，为患者量身定制这些装置的功能可以提高他们的行走能力，减少再受伤的机会。该项目的变革方面是大规模生产定制辅助设备，并长期监测辅助设备用户的步态和行动能力，以进行身体和心理诊断，预防跌倒和其他事故。这些知识和生物力学模型可以改善各种辅助装置的设计实践和疗效评估。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The objective of this award is to establish an international research and education partnership between the University of Michigan (U-M) and University of Bologna (UniBo) in Italy. The proposed work is envisioned to improve the quality-of-life of people with disabilities and their caregivers, transform the knee-ankle-foot-orthosis care to data-based diagnosis and model-based design and 3D-printing, and provide an international research experience to students. The goal of this collaboration is to provide a high-quality international research experience to University of Michigan students to increase student diversity and retention and advance students' ability in and knowledge of culture, globalization, leadership, teamwork, and communication. The key intellectual merit of this collaboration is in the model-based design, 3D-printing, and evaluation of individualized assistive devices. The project will utilize technical knowledge gained from University of Michigan and will improve individualized assistive devices such as the knee-ankle-foot orthosis, a brace that helps people with leg instabilities to walk. The scientific objective of this award is to establish an international research and education partnership between the University of Michigan (U-M) and University of Bologna (UniBo) in Italy on the model-based design, 3D-printing, and evaluation of individualized assistive devices (IADs). The project is focused on the advancements in 3D-printing and wearable sensors that enable the design and fabrication of assistive devices for individual needs. Patient-specific biomechanical models will be developed to analyze the motions and forces associated with the daily activities of a patient. For example, from models of patient-specific knee joint motion, compliant 3D-printed knee joints will be analyzed and designed to improve the function of individual assistive devices. Combined metal 3D-printing, precision machining, and mechanical testing will be used to fabricate and test the compliant knee joint. Finally, the knee-ankle-foot-orthosis devices fabricated by conventional and 3D-printing methods will be evaluated on patients in clinic and during daily activities. Specifically, this project aims to design, fabricate, and evaluate an individualized knee-ankle-foot-orthosis (KAFO) with metal and plastic 3D-printed parts. Students will study four research topics related to the KAFO: (1) biomechanical quantification of activities and lifestyles of KAFO patients, (2) analysis and design of a patient-specific compliant knee joint, (3) manufacturing of compliant knee joint, and (4) evaluation of the patient-specific KAFO.The broader impact of the proposed work in design, 3D-printing, and evaluation of personalized assistive devices is to re-establish the quality-of-life of people with disabilities by restoring normal joint motion and function. Personalized assistive devices with good fit and quick delivery can greatly benefit patients as well as their caregivers. Further, tailoring the function of these devices to the patient improves their ability to ambulate and reduces the chances of reinjury. The transformative aspects of this project are the mass production of custom assistive devices and the long-term monitoring of the gait and mobility of assistive device users for physical and psychological diagnosis and prevention of fall and other accidents. The knowledge and biomechanical models can improve the design practice and evaluation of the efficacy of a broad range of assistive devices.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.