Most cases of malformed ears in neonates can be treated by mounting a suitably shaped orthosis. Our objective was to develop a computer-assisted orthosis design and manufacturing system for the treatment of malformed ears. Also, we aimed to manufacture a first experimental orthosis made of nitinol shape-memory alloy wire. First, the target posttherapeutic auricular shape is input from computed tomography scans, and characteristic points and contours are extracted. The shape of the orthosis is then created by tracing the necessary contours automatically. Finally, the orthosis shape data are projected onto one or more approximate planes and autoconverted into numerical control (NC) data for plate groove processing. The nitinol shape-memory alloy wires are inserted in the groove and the shape is memorized by heat treatment. The shape of the manufactured orthosis can be memorized from the generated NC data within 1.0 mm of error. Stahl's ear in a 9-month-old baby was treated 7 months ago by mounting the orthosis manufactured by the system. The developed system allows the design and manufacture of orthoses made of nitinol shape-memory alloy wire for the treatment of malformed ears.
Most cases of malformed ears in neonates can be treated by mounting a suitably shaped orthosis. Our objective was to develop a computer-assisted orthosis design and manufacturing system for the treatment of malformed ears. Also, we aimed to manufacture a first experimental orthosis made of nitinol shape-memory alloy wire. First, the target posttherapeutic auricular shape is input from computed tomography scans, and characteristic points and contours are extracted. The shape of the orthosis is then created by tracing the necessary contours automatically. Finally, the orthosis shape data are projected onto one or more approximate planes and autoconverted into numerical control (NC) data for plate groove processing. The nitinol shape-memory alloy wires are inserted in the groove and the shape is memorized by heat treatment. The shape of the manufactured orthosis can be memorized from the generated NC data within 1.0 mm of error. Stahl's ear in a 9-month-old baby was treated 7 months ago by mounting the orthosis manufactured by the system. The developed system allows the design and manufacture of orthoses made of nitinol shape-memory alloy wire for the treatment of malformed ears.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.