The medical applications for 3D printing continue to expand, encompassing numerous areas within both internal and external medicine. For instance we’ve see dozens of different 3D printed medical implants, as well as 3D models used for surgical preparation, and of course we also have seen the vast array of external 3D printed devices such as braces and prostheses.
Last June the Rock Hill, South Carolina-based company, 3D Systems, unveiled their bespoke back braces which were entirely 3D printed and used to correct the curvature of the spine caused by severe scoliosis. Because the braces could be completely customized based on the shape of the patient’s body as well as their corrective needs, they were both more efficient and more comfortable for the patient to wear.
Here we are a little over a year after 3D Systems unveiled their innovative new braces, and now the Chinese are looking into the technology to treat similar conditions which include mild to moderate scoliosis.
The braces currently used in the medical field are clunky, uncomfortable, large and do not allow for the circulation of air. Considering that the braces are supposed to be worn for the majority of the day, these issues often lead children to find way to remove them. Embarrassment is often a reason that kids take their braces off, as they protrude out of clothing, and oftentimes other children poke fun at these abnormalities. 3D printing, however, can overcome almost all of the shortcomings of current corrective braces, and that’s just what Dr. Hans-Rudolf Weiss, MD and Orthopedic Surgeon in Gensingen, Germany has been working on with Chinese researchers at the National Rehabilitation Aids Research Center in Beijing.
They have been able to utilize 3D printing to create customizable braces, which are slimly fit to the patient’s body and possess intricate patterns to increase air flow, while reducing the buildup of heat. The braces are fabricated using thermoplastics, making them incredibly light, but also strong enough to support the realignment of the patient’s back, as well as all the activities that children are used to taking to part in.
Dr. Weiss along with the National Rehabilitation Aids Research Center are continuing to develop these braces even further, making them more robust, lighter, and less noticeable. It’s research like this which continues to surprise many within the medical field, gradually driving additional funding towards the space. Let us know your thoughts on Dr. Weiss’ work and what these braces will ultimately mean for those suffering from Scholiosis. Discuss in the 3D Printed Back Brace forum thread on 3DPB.com
