This paper describes a multidisciplinary project that applied the concept of reverse engineering using computer-aided design (CAD) tools to develop a three-dimensional printing (3DP)-based prosthetic socket for transtibial amputees by combining the concepts of patellar tendon-bearing (PTB) socket design principle and total surface-bearing (TSB) socket casting method. Using contemporary tools such as a handheld 3D scanner and an entry-level 3DP machine, together with an in-house prosthetic socket design system and a stump forming device, allowed us to fabricate prosthetic sockets with a consistent quality, and to shorten the learning process time-frame to fabricate them. The results of a case study of two participants demonstrated that the proposed CAD/3DP process of fabrication of transtibial sockets can be easily applied by an unskilled prosthetist to fabricate a socket with the required quality at the first fitting.
This paper presents a new approach for assessing the regularity of a 3D triangular meshed surface. Contrary to other standard methods, our method does not require the computation of any triangle features; it is based exclusively on topological properties, defined at the triangular facet's neighborhood, and exhibits intrinsic scalability. This approach is validated through experiments conducted with a real triangular mesh surfaces. A comparison with standard mesh regularity criteria further confirmed the validity of our method.
This project is to validate the preliminary result of rapid prototyping (RP)-based transtibial socket that was reinforced by wrapping a layer of unsaturated polyester resin. By employing contemporary technologies including a scanner, computer-aided engineering systems, a rapid prototyping machine, together with the expertise of a prosthetist, RP-based prosthetic sockets with a comfortable fit to volunteer amputees can be fabricated. However, the expensive cost and complex procedure of using current commercial scanners and CAD systems will be barriers experienced by clinical professionals. As the existing service bureau infrastructure and cheaper RP technology are easily accessed, fabrication and technology cost barriers will be reduced. The remaining problems include the availability of easily-used CAD systems for designing prosthetic sockets, simple scanner and stump duplicating tool. This study therefore focuses on the integration of simplified systems including a vacuum forming tool, compact scanner and an interface system for designing prosthetic sockets. Although the type of PTB (patella tendon bearing) transtibial socket is widely adopted in plaster-based manual process, TSB (total surface bearing) sockets are more acceptable by amputees. Since the concept of TSB socket should obtain the stump mold of an amputee under appropriate pressure by using a specific stump forming tool, editing complex surfaces can be avoided when using a TSB-based stump model to design a socket. The quality of socket fit is expected to improve by a simplified design process in which an interface system based on grid-editing algorithms is utilized. In addition, cheaper RP technology, such as 3-D printing or droplet binding process, can be alternative means to fabricate RP-based prosthetic sockets. By combining TSB stump mold, simplified design process and a cheaper RP machine, this study proposes a simplified integrating system to manufacture RP stump mold. Using this RP stump mold together with the traditional lamination method of infiltrating resin into cotton layers, the RP-based transtibial sockets will then be fabricated easily. The expected result will demonstrate the feasibility of employing cheaper emerging technologies to assist an unskilled prosthetist who will be able to produce good quality of prosthetic socket.
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