Design of a 3D-printed, open-source wrist-driven orthosis for individuals with spinal cord injury

PloS One
Alexandra A PortnovaKatherine M Steele

Abstract

Assistive technology, such as wrist-driven orthoses (WDOs), can be used by individuals with spinal cord injury to improve hand function. A lack of innovation and challenges in obtaining WDOs have limited their use. These orthoses can be heavy and uncomfortable for users and also time-consuming for orthotists to fabricate. The goal of this research was to design a WDO with user (N = 3) and orthotist (N = 6) feedback to improve the accessibility, customizability, and function of WDOs by harnessing advancements in 3D-printing. The 3D-printed WDO reduced hands-on assembly time to approximately 1.5 hours and the material costs to $15 compared to current fabrication methods. Varying improvements in users' hand function were observed during functional tests, such as the Jebsen Taylor Hand Function Test. For example, one participant's ability on the small object task improved by 29 seconds with the WDO, while another participant took 25 seconds longer to complete this task with the WDO. Two users had a significant increase in grasp strength with the WDO (13-122% increase), while the other participant was able to perform a pinching grasp for the first time. The WDO designs are available open-source to increase accessibility and encourag...Continue Reading

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Citations

Mar 22, 2019·Prosthetics and Orthotics International·Susan NaceAisling Ní Annaidh
Jan 1, 2020·Journal of Neuroengineering and Rehabilitation·Hyun-Joon YooBoreom Lee
Jun 20, 2020·Spinal Cord Series and Cases·Sara Kate Frye, Paula Richley Geigle
Feb 20, 2021·The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine·Rosti ReadioffEdward K Chadwick
May 1, 2021·International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·Estíbaliz Jiménez, Feliciano Ordóñez
Aug 25, 2021·Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Part H, Journal of Engineering in Medicine·Daniel Chizhik, Babak Hejrati
Feb 5, 2020··Arun SrinavasaJinsil Hwaryoung Seo

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