| Posted: Jul 01, 2014 | |
Research on 3-D printed wrist splints boost for arthritis sufferers |
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| (Nanowerk News) A Loughborough University lecturer has developed a computer software concept that will enable clinicians with no experience in Computer Aided Design (CAD) to design and make custom-made 3D printed wrist splints for rheumatoid arthritis sufferers. | |
| Dr Abby Paterson, from the Design School, said: “I wanted to give clinicians the ability to make splints they have not been able to make before. | |
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| Custom-made 3D printed wrist splints. (Image: Loughborough University) | |
| “They can improve the aesthetics, the fit, and integrate extra bits of functionality they couldn’t do before as a result of our Additive Manufacturing facilities here at Loughborough University. | |
| “Thanks to our Objet Connex machine, we can integrate multiple materials in a single splint such as rubber-like integral hinges or cushioning features but, more importantly, the specialised software prototype we’ve developed will enable clinicians to design these splints for their patients.” | |
| The 3D printed splints are not only more comfortable and attractive but potentially cheaper than the current ones that are ‘ugly, bulky, and can make a patients arm sweat’. As a result patients do not use them as often as they should. | |
| The splints, which provide joint protection, rest, and promote pain relief,could be a major boost for sufferers of rheumatoid arthritis, the second most common type of arthritis in the UK which affects more than 400,000 people. | |
| The splints are made by scanning a patient’s arm in the ‘appropriate position’. A 3D model splint is then designed based on the scan to generate a computer model. | |
| The 3D printer can then produce as many splints as are needed at the touch of a button. They can be any colour, feature multiple materials, have a lattice design to aid ventilation and any type of fastening the patient requires. | |
| The 3D CAD software prototype was shown to certified splinting practitioners, such as occupational therapists and physiotherapists. | |
| Dr Paterson said: “The practitioners were very excited by new, novel ideas to expand the possibilities available to them, such as integrated rubber borders for increased comfort.” | |
| The 3D CAD software prototype is the product of Dr Paterson’s PhD and development ?work is still needed on the software and materials. ? | |
| Dr Paterson was supervised during her PhD by Dr Richard Bibb and Dr Ian Campbell. Dr Bibb came up with the idea for bespoke wrist splints in the late 1990’s. | |
| Dr Bibb and Dr Paterson are currently pursuing opportunities to perform a ‘thorough cost analysis’ of providing the service. | |
| Dr Bibb says the 3D splints could be cheaper than the current ones because the design and manufacture stages have been separated. | |
| He believes they will be cost-effective for the NHS while the ‘sky’s the limit’ in the private sector. | |
| Dr Bibb, Reader in Medical Applications of Design in the Design School, said: “We are in the development phase. The research has proved that this is desirable and the clinicians want it. We know there’s lots of potential.” | |
| Dr Paterson and Dr Bibb believe that with some financial backing they could perfect the CAD software within 18 months. | |
| Dr Paterson conducted her PhD research at Loughborough between 2009 and 2012 before becoming a lecturer at the University of Manchester. | |
| She returned to Loughborough in January as a Lecturer in the Design School and has continued to work on the project. | |
| Source: Loughborough University |
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