Assistive technologies, such as orthotics and prostheses, have been around for thousands of years. Orthotic devices are commonly utilized to immobilize, support, correct, or protect and treat musculoskeletal injuries or disorders. The first step in creating an ortho prosthesis is obtaining the shape of the body part. In the thermosetting polyurethane prototype produced by the mold, a computerized numerical control (CNC) or a milling machine is used to create a prototype. Finally, the expert makes several changes to the device to adapt it to the subject.
3D Anatomical Data Acquisition Techniques
RPT may be used to develop new standards for orthotic device design by combining it with different approaches for measuring and modeling the human body. The data can be represented as a point cloud, voxels (3D volumetric pixels), or three-dimensional coordinates of various anatomical points, depending on the data acquisition technique employed. There is no established morphology acquisition technique presently. Still, there are different acquisition methods to assist fabrication with RPT in orthotic device modeling, including computer tomography, 3D scanning, and other optical motion capture devices.
Computed Tomography
CT is a highly effective method for both diagnostics and surgical planning. The previously recorded images were usually in the axial or transverse plane. Modern scanners now capture images in multiple planes, allowing for 3D volume reconstructions. CT has been used to create orthotic devices in several research studies. One example is using CT combined with AM methods to produce insoles for diabetes. They investigated pressure and tissue strain along the plantar foot to see if these variables are related to the therapeutic effect of shoes and custom-made orthotic inserts, with a potential reduction in peak plantar pressure by 33.67%.
3D Scanning
3D scanning is a method of capturing people’s external form and shape. 3D scanning technologies use light-based methods for determining the three-dimensional position in the space of all points that make up an object’s surface. The point cloud is then reconstructed with computer software, after which the CAD model is calculated.
Today’s 3D scanners for human measurement include single-image reconstruction, structured light techniques, lasers, and other stereo reconstruction methods. Human body shape restoration with laser and structured light technologies is the most frequent. A handheld device projects a laser dot or line detected by a sensor. The distance to the surface, usually a charge-coupled device or a position-sensitive device, is measured by a sensor.
Optical Motion Capture System
Recently, methods to assess the human body’s topography in dynamic activities have gained interest since orthotic devices shouldn’t be built solely for static conditions. They will be used in dynamic situations to enhance rehabilitation. Many commercial 3D systems can measure three-dimensional forms with great precision, but most cannot capture human motion. Optical motion capture is a popular technique for recording human movement.
The human eye sees in 3D, so head-mounted displays (HMDs) are necessary for image-based immersive environments. This technique uses several cameras to reconstruct a 3D position for a set of reflective markers in anatomical landmarks. Two or more cameras must be calibrated to provide overlapping projections to observe these markers.
Rapid Prototyping Technologies for Orthotic Devices
Integrating computer-aided design (CAD) and computational aided manufacturing (CAM) is a well-known approach that is gaining increased attention in orthotic devices. Customized manufacturing using RPT necessitates 3D scanning of the anatomic surface, 3D surface reconstruction, CAD modeling, conversion to stereolithography format (STL), and machining utilizing a specific rapid prototyping machine (i.e., a 3D printer) that is controlled by a computer.
RPT enables manufacturers to have greater design flexibility, the ability to create functional elements, higher accuracy, and lower production costs. In an RPT manufacturing process, a real-world representation of a virtual 3D CAD model is built one layer at a time until a physical item is created. In RPT, a virtual model of the part is created in CAD and subsequently converted to an STL file format, which is the RP system’s usual file format. Depending on the type of fabrication process used, AMT can be classed in a variety of ways, including laser, printer technology, and extrusion technology.
Material Selection for Orthotic Devices
The material used in the construction of an orthotic device has a significant influence on its efficacy. The physical properties of orthotic materials include elasticity, hardness, density, temperature sensitivity, durability, flexibility, compressibility, and resilience. It’s important to remember that each physical property cannot be used alone to assess materials for orthotic devices. An uncomfortable or biomechanically harmful orthotic device can result from using a rigid material or an incorrect design feature.
Mr. Letko Edward is an entrepreneur who has created several medical devices, including orthotics. Orthotics are medical devices that help to correct deformities and improve the function of limbs or joints. In this blog post, we’ve looked at some of the different 3D printing technologies that can be used to create prototypes for orthotic devices. We hope you’ve found this information helpful, and please feel free to get in touch if you have any questions about how these technologies could benefit your business.
