Abstract:
Un método para fabricar un dispositivo personalizado que comprende: aplicar puntos de referencia al cuerpo de un paciente colocando marcas en el cuerpo que indiquen la ubicación de un borde del dispositivo; capturar una pluralidad de fotografías digitales con un proceso de fotogrametría del cuerpo y las marcas; procesar las fotografías digitales para obtener una representación digital de una superficie del cuerpo y la ubicación del borde del dispositivo; almacenar la representación digital de la superficie del cuerpo y el borde del dispositivo en una memoria de computadora; crear un diseño para el dispositivo que tiene una superficie exterior, una superficie interior que corresponde a la superficie del cuerpo y el borde del dispositivo que corresponde a las marcas; y fabricar el dispositivo a través de un rápido proceso de creación de prototipos que utiliza un haz de energía dirigido a un baño de material líquido o en polvo, en el que el dispositivo es de construcción modular.
Abstract:
A crutch includes a grip and a forearm support that are coupled to an elongated member that extends from the forearm support to the ground. The inner surface of the forearm support can correspond to a digital representation of a forearm of the patient and the outer surface of the hand grip can correspond to a digital representation of a palmar surface of the patient's hand in at least a partially closed position.
Abstract:
An adjustable brace includes a support surface for supporting one surface of a patient and an adjustable portion that allow the cross section of the brace to be adjusted. When a limb is injured, a patient may have a swollen limb and the adjustable brace can be set to a large cross section. As the limb heals, the swelling decreases and the limb cross section also decreases due to atrophy. An adjustable coupling can be used reduce the cross section to properly fit the limb of the patient during the healing process.
Abstract:
A spiral brace has an inner surface that corresponds to a digital representation of an injured limb. The spiral brace can wrap around a length of the limb in a helical manner. The body of the spiral brace may be a single piece structure that is fenestrated to provide air circulation to the injured limb.
Abstract:
A bikini brace has an inner surface that corresponds to a digital representation of an injured limb. The bikini brace can wrap around a length of the limb in a helical manner. The body of the bikini brace may be a single piece structure that is fenestrated to provide air circulation to the injured limb.
Abstract:
A fairing can be attached to a prosthetic limb or over a brace to alter the appearance of the prosthetic limb or brace. The outer surface of the prosthetic limb can be a mirror image of an intact limb and the outer surface of the brace can have an outer surface that corresponds to an injured limb. Because the fairing fits closely around the prosthetic limb or brace, the interior surface of the fairing has a surface that corresponds to a mirror image of an intact limb or an outer surface of an injured limb.
Abstract:
An adjustable brace includes a first portion for supporting one surface of a patient and a plurality of adjustable portions that allow the internal cross section of the brace to be adjusted. When a limb is injured, a patient may have a swollen limb and the adjustable brace can be set to a large cross section. As the limb heals, the swelling decreases and the limb cross section also decreases due to atrophy. The adjustable couplings are adjusted to reduce the cross section to properly fit the limb of the patient and provide proper protection and support during the healing process.
Abstract:
A conformable hand brace includes a support surface for supporting palm portion of a patient's hand and an adjustable mechanism that allows the cross section of the brace to be adjusted. The brace can be adjusted to provide a close fit as the geometry of the hand changes. The inventive system allows the conformable hand brace to be designed automatically by a computer based upon anatomical measurements.
Abstract:
A custom brace and method for fabricating the custom brace includes marking a body with reference points and/or other indicators. Multiple color or infrared photographs of the body from different angles are then obtained. The photographs are used to determine the topography data of the body and identify the locations of the markings. The topography data and markings are then used to design the custom brace.