3D printed armcast
When a person breaks its arm the normal procedure will be wearing a plaster cast for the upcoming 4/6 weeks. People who experienced this now how unpleasant this can be.
This project is a prove of principle. The research is done to look if the new 3D printing technology can be used to replace the old plaster cast.
Current proces
Challange
Create a 3D model
Modelling a 3D cast
Optimization of the cast
Automization of the process
Specialized locking device
Make it useable for hospital staff
Requirements
Easy to use by hospital staff
User-friendly
Fast and efficient
Low cost
Topology optimization
Locking system
Creating a 3D model of the arm
The first attempt to create a 3D model from an arm is with the use of making pictures and put them in Fusion 360.
The disadvantages whit this method are:
Time consuming
Unpredictable (goes wrong a lot of times)
Expensive
Sloppy
Second attempt to make a 3D model of an arm is with a 3D sense scanner. this method works great.
The advantages are:
Fast and efficient
Cheap
Easy to handle and learn
Very precise
Creating a 3D arm cast
SolidWorks
Good Design
Geo-Magic software is necessary
40 hours to make a cast
Requires much experience to create
Not able to print with FDM printer
Meshmixer
Simple design
Requires little or no knowledge
Fast process
Material removal
Not shape-optimization
Can be printed with a FDM printer
Stength test
Financial advantage
New process
KIVI Awards group Nr.7
New procedure
Results
•We succeed in making a 3D model on the PC
•We made a good fitting 3D printed arm cast prototype
•A locking device is able for nurses
•With this process it is able for hospital staff to print a arm cast
•The arm cast is printable with an FDM printer (This is new)
•The prove of principle succeeded
Conclusion
According to our research the prove of principle is proved. With this process it is possible for hospitals to provide patients with a 3D printed orthopedic cast.
The 3D printed cast is 135 euro per procedure cheaper than the conventional plaster cast.
