Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) printed splints are becoming more feasible in recent years, showing promising lightweight, waterproof, and hygienic designs. A typical procedure to create 3D printed splints is obtaining the geometry of a body segment using a 3D scanner, creating a 3D printable splint model based on the geometry of the body segment, and 3D printing the splint. As technologies of 3D scanning and 3D printing become mature gradually, the main challenge to fabricate 3D printed splint is to create 3D printable splint models. To solve this challenge, researchers have proposed various methods to design 3D splint models. However, most methods require extensive 3D modeling skills that medical professionals are lacking. In this work, a semi-automatic method is proposed to create a 3D printable model. Given the geometry of a body segment obtained through a 3D scanner, the method includes three key steps: (1) create a draft splint lattice structure, (2) optimize the splint structure, and (3) create a 3D printable model based on the optimized structure. All the software adopted for this method is free and readily available, and thus, there is no additional cost to convert from a scanned geometry of a body segment to a 3D printable splint model. Because the majority of the work is done automatically, with initial training, a medical professional should be able to create a 3D printable model using the proposed method, given the geometry of a body segment. The proposed method is demonstrated by creating a 3D printed wrist splint and the demo is uploaded into GitHub, a popular open-source platform.
Highlights
Fabric, plaster, wire, elastomers, and low-temperature thermoplastics are the main materials for creating splints [1]
Fabricating three-dimensional (3D) printed splints are skill-dependent, a well systematic design process can ensure 3D printed splints conform to the geometry of the human body segment and offer comfort to patients
We propose a semi-automatic method that can create 3D printable splint models based on 3D scanned geometry of human body segment in STL format
Summary
Plaster, wire, elastomers, and low-temperature thermoplastics are the main materials for creating splints [1]. The traditional fabrication process of custom-made splints has remained nearly untouched since the beginning of its use at the end of the 18th century [2]. This process is skill-dependent, and the splints themselves pose numerous problems concerning patient compliance and plaster cracks [3]. To overcome these problems, researchers and engineers have explored additive manufacturing (AM) to create personalized splints. Few cases are reporting that patients are allergic to common 3D printing materials, such as polylactide (PLA) and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
