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）和意大利的博洛尼亚大学（UniBo）之间建立国际研究和教育伙伴关系。 拟议的工作旨在提高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，领导力，团队合作和沟通方面的能力和知识。这种合作的主要智力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，如膝踝足矫形器，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。该项目的重点是3D打印和可穿戴传感器的进步，这些传感器可以设计和制造满足个人需求的辅助设备。 将开发患者特定的生物力学模型，以分析与患者日常活动相关的运动和力。例如，从患者特定的膝关节运动模型中，将分析和设计顺应性3D打印膝关节，以改善个人辅助设备的功能。 结合金属3D打印，精密加工和机械测试将用于制造和测试顺应性膝关节。 最后，通过传统和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。具体而言，该项目旨在设计，制造和评估具有金属和塑料3D打印部件的个性化膝踝足矫形器（KAFO）。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）患者特定顺应性膝关节的分析和设计，（3）顺应性膝关节的制造，以及（4）患者特定KAFO的评估。评估个性化辅助设备的目的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。具有良好贴合性和快速交付的个性化辅助设备可以极大地使患者及其护理人员受益。此外，为患者定制这些设备的功能可以提高他们的走动能力，并减少再损伤的机会。该项目的变革性方面是大规模生产定制辅助设备，以及长期监测辅助设备使用者的步态和行动能力，以进行身心诊断，并预防跌倒和其他事故。知识和生物力学模型可以改善设计实践和广泛的辅助设备的有效性评估。该奖项反映了NSF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.