3D printed orthoses for the treatment of upper limb injuries in young adults in rural communities of Popayán

Abstract

In this article we carry out a research and development of two types of splints for different traumas in upper limbs, applying knowledge and techniques of mechatronic engineering to the field of health. Three important technologies have been applied to this research, such as: 3D scanner, CAD design and 3D printing, with which different types of orthoses can be designed for multiple pathologies in upper limbs or other parts of the body that require this type of element. The development of two splints for traumas called Quervain's tenosynovitis and distal radius fracture is proposed, being the most common pathologies in people making use of photogeometry (3D scanner) to obtain the model of the limb to be immobilized with all its characteristics such as size, shape and position, then said design will be sent to a medical software where the splints will be processed and designed completely customized to the patient's liking.  then, the design of the splints is transferred to a 3D printer that is responsible for manufacturing the full-scale model, thus achieving a personalized design, obtaining a reduction in mass to values lower than those of a traditional cast and also a very precise adaptation in each patient.