The scoliosis pathology affects nowadays up to 3% of the population, including mostly adolescents. The causes of the pathology could include genetical predisposition and comorbidities in neurological and physiological development, or could arise without specific causes, as it is called idiopathic. In order to avoid the worsening of the deviation, in the severe cases it is required the prescription of a brace or a chirurgic operation. In this thesis, we explore the brace approach in his biomechanical principles and the standard models provided by the market. The standardization of the models and orthopaedic approach does not exclude the elaboration of different solutions, that regard 3D printing. This approach, in fact, could involve new materials and designs, and could save manual work and production time. In particular, the FDM method could be a good alternative for its low costs and wide diffusion. The Artbrace project starts from a traditional path for the production of a Cheneau brace, and propose a new application in 3D printing, involving engineering and design considerations. First of all, the advantage given by the FDM printing could be the introduction of a drilling pattern, that should be characterized and tested in different percentage to define the optimal filling. This preliminary evaluation was done previously in FEM simulations, and then in experimental tests involving Vicon 3D motion capture optoelectronic system. The evaluation of stiffness was led in forward, lateral bending and torsion: the optimal drilling percentage would be later used in the design of the scoliosis brace. In a second part of the project, a real patient was involved in the traditional procedure of scanning of the torso, and the collaboration of the orthopaedic technician provided the elaboration of the data as required by clinical prescription. From this background, the design in Rhinoceros and specific printing requirements raised issues about the material, the thrust and anchoring zones, the closure system. The result was a two halves brace made of PETG, closed with a frame system and straps. The patient received the same day the traditional Cheneau brace prescribed and the innovative 3D printed one. A questionnaire assessed the comfort for the patient and the technical adherence to requirements, but on the other hand raised issues and limits that could be overcome in further studies.  

The scoliosis pathology affects nowadays up to 3% of the population, including mostly adolescents. The causes of the pathology could include genetical predisposition and comorbidities in neurological and physiological development, or could arise without specific causes, as it is called idiopathic. In order to avoid the worsening of the deviation, in the severe cases it is required the prescription of a brace or a chirurgic operation. In this thesis, we explore the brace approach in his biomechanical principles and the standard models provided by the market. The standardization of the models and orthopaedic approach does not exclude the elaboration of different solutions, that regard 3D printing. This approach, in fact, could involve new materials and designs, and could save manual work and production time. In particular, the FDM method could be a good alternative for its low costs and wide diffusion. The Artbrace project starts from a traditional path for the production of a Cheneau brace, and propose a new application in 3D printing, involving engineering and design considerations. First of all, the advantage given by the FDM printing could be the introduction of a drilling pattern, that should be characterized and tested in different percentage to define the optimal filling. This preliminary evaluation was done previously in FEM simulations, and then in experimental tests involving Vicon 3D motion capture optoelectronic system. The evaluation of stiffness was led in forward, lateral bending and torsion: the optimal drilling percentage would be later used in the design of the scoliosis brace. In a second part of the project, a real patient was involved in the traditional procedure of scanning of the torso, and the collaboration of the orthopaedic technician provided the elaboration of the data as required by clinical prescription. From this background, the design in Rhinoceros and specific printing requirements raised issues about the material, the thrust and anchoring zones, the closure system. The result was a two halves brace made of PETG, closed with a frame system and straps. The patient received the same day the traditional Cheneau brace prescribed and the innovative 3D printed one. A questionnaire assessed the comfort for the patient and the technical adherence to requirements, but on the other hand raised issues and limits that could be overcome in further studies.  

Preliminar parametric technological evaluation for the design and costruction of a 3D printed scoliosis brace

LAMONACA, MARTA
2022/2023

Abstract

The scoliosis pathology affects nowadays up to 3% of the population, including mostly adolescents. The causes of the pathology could include genetical predisposition and comorbidities in neurological and physiological development, or could arise without specific causes, as it is called idiopathic. In order to avoid the worsening of the deviation, in the severe cases it is required the prescription of a brace or a chirurgic operation. In this thesis, we explore the brace approach in his biomechanical principles and the standard models provided by the market. The standardization of the models and orthopaedic approach does not exclude the elaboration of different solutions, that regard 3D printing. This approach, in fact, could involve new materials and designs, and could save manual work and production time. In particular, the FDM method could be a good alternative for its low costs and wide diffusion. The Artbrace project starts from a traditional path for the production of a Cheneau brace, and propose a new application in 3D printing, involving engineering and design considerations. First of all, the advantage given by the FDM printing could be the introduction of a drilling pattern, that should be characterized and tested in different percentage to define the optimal filling. This preliminary evaluation was done previously in FEM simulations, and then in experimental tests involving Vicon 3D motion capture optoelectronic system. The evaluation of stiffness was led in forward, lateral bending and torsion: the optimal drilling percentage would be later used in the design of the scoliosis brace. In a second part of the project, a real patient was involved in the traditional procedure of scanning of the torso, and the collaboration of the orthopaedic technician provided the elaboration of the data as required by clinical prescription. From this background, the design in Rhinoceros and specific printing requirements raised issues about the material, the thrust and anchoring zones, the closure system. The result was a two halves brace made of PETG, closed with a frame system and straps. The patient received the same day the traditional Cheneau brace prescribed and the innovative 3D printed one. A questionnaire assessed the comfort for the patient and the technical adherence to requirements, but on the other hand raised issues and limits that could be overcome in further studies.  
2022
Preliminar parametric technological evaluation for the design and costruction of a 3D printed scoliosis brace
The scoliosis pathology affects nowadays up to 3% of the population, including mostly adolescents. The causes of the pathology could include genetical predisposition and comorbidities in neurological and physiological development, or could arise without specific causes, as it is called idiopathic. In order to avoid the worsening of the deviation, in the severe cases it is required the prescription of a brace or a chirurgic operation. In this thesis, we explore the brace approach in his biomechanical principles and the standard models provided by the market. The standardization of the models and orthopaedic approach does not exclude the elaboration of different solutions, that regard 3D printing. This approach, in fact, could involve new materials and designs, and could save manual work and production time. In particular, the FDM method could be a good alternative for its low costs and wide diffusion. The Artbrace project starts from a traditional path for the production of a Cheneau brace, and propose a new application in 3D printing, involving engineering and design considerations. First of all, the advantage given by the FDM printing could be the introduction of a drilling pattern, that should be characterized and tested in different percentage to define the optimal filling. This preliminary evaluation was done previously in FEM simulations, and then in experimental tests involving Vicon 3D motion capture optoelectronic system. The evaluation of stiffness was led in forward, lateral bending and torsion: the optimal drilling percentage would be later used in the design of the scoliosis brace. In a second part of the project, a real patient was involved in the traditional procedure of scanning of the torso, and the collaboration of the orthopaedic technician provided the elaboration of the data as required by clinical prescription. From this background, the design in Rhinoceros and specific printing requirements raised issues about the material, the thrust and anchoring zones, the closure system. The result was a two halves brace made of PETG, closed with a frame system and straps. The patient received the same day the traditional Cheneau brace prescribed and the innovative 3D printed one. A questionnaire assessed the comfort for the patient and the technical adherence to requirements, but on the other hand raised issues and limits that could be overcome in further studies.  
scoliosis
brace
3D printing
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12608/43164