Exploration of computer-aided design and additive manufacturing for the design and fabrication of custom-made spinal braces

Abstract

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is associated with an abnormal curvature of the spine in three dimensions. A common non-surgical treatment is the use of a spinal brace to stabilise the curve deformation during growth to prevent invasive spinal surgery. However, aesthetics, comfort and fit of braces are not prioritised; together with the perceived stigma, this often leads to young people not wearing the brace for the prescribed periods and thus compromises efficacy. Engagement with young people about their own experience, which has been minimal, offers a means of addressing these factors. Engaging with young people through age appropriate tools in a novel and compassionate fashion builds trust, understanding, and cooperation. Providing young people with shared ownership of their medical condition as well as hand in shaping their future treatment could be invaluable in improving outcomes as well as establishing lifelong wellbeing. Additive Manufacturing (AM) permits the fabrication of complex, bespoke geometries and thus offers the potential to respond to the outcomes of engaging with young people as “experts”. Nevertheless, if healthcare professionals are to be engaged, then the feasibility of an AM approach to the design of spinal braces must be demonstrated. This research integrates two key contributions: (1) a comprehensive mapping of current practices in brace design and fabrication; (2) the development of engagement activities to explore and capture the brace experiences of young people with AIS to facilitate the design of a brace that synthesises clinical and patient needs. An additional supporting contribution is the adaptation of Computer-Aided Design (CAD) strategies and digitised workflows that incorporate structural and aesthetic brace demands for construction with AM. This research demonstrates that a 3D CAD approach to brace design is feasible and that the inclusion of young people in the design and planning process (co-design) provides significant insights into realities of brace wear.

Date of Award	1 Aug 2019
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	The University of Manchester
Supervisor	Brian Derby (Supervisor) & Iain Stalker (Supervisor)