A novel way of efficient adaption of orthopaedic braces using 3D technology

NTNU Aalesund has vital teaching and research activities in 3D-modelling and -printing. These activities have until recently mainly been targeted towards the region's manufacturing industry, especially in the production of parts in ship equipment and fish handling machinery assets. In this field, master- and bachelor students at NTNU have been involved in several industrial projects that give them the possibility of working with realistic problems under the supervision of both their professors and external professionals. Gradually, this competence has been extended into other fields, of which a particularly interesting one is the area of orthopaedic prosthetics. The presented work deals with the development of a new procedure for making individual patient adapted orthopaedic braces. In co-operation with the orthopaedic department at the local hospital, NTNU professors and students have been working in a team with the orthopaedic surgeons. This work has resulted in a procedure for design and development of individually adapted orthopaedic braces for simple fractures in the hand and arm. In addition, a functional process for the production of such braces in the clinic, has been developed.