3D printed hand splint
Session
Mechatronics, System Engineering and Robotics
Description
Through this paper, the aim is to explore the limitations of the traditional splint features and what could 3D printing technology help us to overcome those limitations. Initially 3D print-ing technology has gained popularity on biomedical industry due to its easy access and fast prototyping ability. It is still on early research phases, but in some cases, it is a key factor on medical uses. The good thing is that it does not require a lot of training and it’s a technology that could be easy learned. Also, it has easy access due to its popularity all over the world, not only by engineers but enthusiasts also. Some of the limitations which traditional hand splints have are poor design and lack of ergo-nomic support. Based that those splints are produced in few variants, those could be fitted on some specific hands only. What 3D printing does here is that it allows that every person in need to have their own splint based on their shape of their hand, and in the most comfortable way. Another problem that 3D printing can solve is that it can be more compatible with the skin, avoiding irritation, offering flexibility and mobility at the same time. Having a design that is made out of a net structure allows the hand for the proper ventilation, leaving no room for sweat is an excellent feature. Moreover, the net structure offers the same mobility reducing weight on the splint and offer-ing flexibility as needed. The other feature compared to traditional splint is that the produc-tion of the splint is faster and the costs are lower. Since traditional splints require a lot of processes and machinery it consumes a lot of time, material and also those materials and ma-chineries cost a lot. On the other hand, 3D printed splints could be produced within 5 hours, the 3D printer has low cost and also it takes a few amounts of material. In conclusion, 3D printing is not only the innovative solution, but also solves a lot of struggles on the production of the traditional splints
Keywords:
3D printing, Biomedical engineering, Prosthesis
Proceedings Editor
Edmond Hajrizi
ISBN
978-9951-982-15-3
Location
UBT Kampus, Lipjan
Start Date
25-10-2024 9:00 AM
End Date
27-10-2024 6:00 PM
DOI
10.33107/ubt-ic.2024.203
Recommended Citation
Nela, Art and Mehmeti, Xhemajl, "3D printed hand splint" (2024). UBT International Conference. 2.
https://knowledgecenter.ubt-uni.net/conference/2024UBTIC/MSER/2
3D printed hand splint
UBT Kampus, Lipjan
Through this paper, the aim is to explore the limitations of the traditional splint features and what could 3D printing technology help us to overcome those limitations. Initially 3D print-ing technology has gained popularity on biomedical industry due to its easy access and fast prototyping ability. It is still on early research phases, but in some cases, it is a key factor on medical uses. The good thing is that it does not require a lot of training and it’s a technology that could be easy learned. Also, it has easy access due to its popularity all over the world, not only by engineers but enthusiasts also. Some of the limitations which traditional hand splints have are poor design and lack of ergo-nomic support. Based that those splints are produced in few variants, those could be fitted on some specific hands only. What 3D printing does here is that it allows that every person in need to have their own splint based on their shape of their hand, and in the most comfortable way. Another problem that 3D printing can solve is that it can be more compatible with the skin, avoiding irritation, offering flexibility and mobility at the same time. Having a design that is made out of a net structure allows the hand for the proper ventilation, leaving no room for sweat is an excellent feature. Moreover, the net structure offers the same mobility reducing weight on the splint and offer-ing flexibility as needed. The other feature compared to traditional splint is that the produc-tion of the splint is faster and the costs are lower. Since traditional splints require a lot of processes and machinery it consumes a lot of time, material and also those materials and ma-chineries cost a lot. On the other hand, 3D printed splints could be produced within 5 hours, the 3D printer has low cost and also it takes a few amounts of material. In conclusion, 3D printing is not only the innovative solution, but also solves a lot of struggles on the production of the traditional splints