3D-printing and upper-limb prosthetic sockets : promises and pitfalls

Olsen, Jennifer and Day, Sarah and Dupan, Sigrid and Nazarpour, Kianoush and Dyson, Matthew (2021) 3D-printing and upper-limb prosthetic sockets : promises and pitfalls. IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering, 29. pp. 527-535. ISSN 1534-4320 (https://doi.org/10.1109/TNSRE.2021.3057984)

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Abstract

Modernising the way upper-limb prosthetic sockets are made has seen limited progress. The casting techniques that are employed in clinics today resemble those developed over 50 years ago and there is still a heavy reliance on manual labour. Modern manufacturing methods such as 3D scanning and printing are often presented as ready-to-use solutions for producing low-cost functional devices, with public perceptions being largely shaped by the superficial media representation and advertising. The promise is that modern socket manufacturing methods can improve patient satisfaction, decrease manufacturing times and reduce the workload in the clinic. However, the perception in the clinical community is that total conversion to digital methods in a clinical environment is not straightforward. Anecdotally, there is currently a disconnect between those developing technology to produce prosthetic devices and the actual needs of clinicians and people with limb difference. In this paper, we demonstrate strengths and drawbacks of a fully digitised, low-cost trans-radial diagnostic socket making process, informed by clinical principles. We present volunteer feedback on the digitally created sockets and provide expert commentary on the use of digital tools in upper-limb socket manufacturing. We show that it is possible to utilise 3D scanning and printing, but only if the process is informed by expert knowledge. We bring examples to demonstrate how and why the process may go wrong. Finally, we provide discussion on why progress in modernising the manufacturing of upper-limb sockets has been slow yet it is still too early to rule out digital methods.

  • Item type:Article
    ID code:75781
    Dates:
    Date
    Event
    15 February 2021
    Published
    1 February 2021
    Accepted
    Notes:© 2021 IEEE. Personal use of this material is permitted. Permission from IEEE must be obtained for all other uses, in any current or future media, including reprinting /republishing this material for advertising or promotional purposes, creating new collective works, for resale or redistribution to servers or lists, or reuse of any copyrighted component of this work in other works.
    Subjects:Medicine
    Technology > Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General) > Bioengineering
    Department:Faculty of Engineering > Biomedical Engineering
    Depositing user: Pure Administrator
    Date deposited:16 Mar 2021 15:00
    Last modified:21 Apr 2024 01:48
    Related URLs:
    URI:https://strathprints.strath.ac.uk/id/eprint/75781
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