The use of non-contact structured light scanning in burns pressure splint construction

Abstract

This paper describes the use of a non-contact structured light scanning technique, computer aided design (CAD) and additive manufacturing (AM) to produce a burns pressure therapy splint, also known as mask or conformer. Masks such as this are used in the treatment of hypertrophic scars resulting from burns injuries. The case study described here is of a nine year old girl with significant hypertrophic scars to her face, especially her nasal bridge. Non-contact structured light scanning was used to capture accurate data of the patients face. This data was then post processed and used to produce a model of the patients face using the three dimensional printing processes from Z Corporation. The plaster model formed was then used to generate a former on which a polyethylene tetrephthalate glycol (PETG) mask was vacuum formed. The results illustrate the benefits and effectiveness in terms of accuracy of adopting an integrated surface scanning, CAD and AM approach for easier intervention and treatment.