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Development of customized ankle-foot-orthosis using 3D scanning and printing technologies

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Abstract

Around the world, customized ankle-foot-orthosis (AFO) for patients with central nervous system damage are continuously being developed. Existing customized AFOs are manufactured by considering the size of the user’s feet and calves using 3D scanning and printing technologies. In this study, we propose a customized AFO that reflects the shape of the user’s feet and ankles by setting anatomically based landmarks and trim lines. Design standards are established through landmarks and trim lines, and AFOs are designed. To confirm the safety of the designed AFO, specimens using ABS and PLA were fabricated, and tensile tests were conducted. At this time, each material’s density difference was considered to address the economic aspect during subsequent production. The mechanical properties were obtained through the tests and applied to the AFO model through finite element analysis to confirm the behavior of dorsiflexion and plantar flexion. Finally, ABS-AFO and PLA-AFO prototypes were produced, and after production, actual subjects wore them to confirm the difference from the existing.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Mechanical Engineering, Korea University, 145 Anam-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02841, Korea

    Kyeong-Jun Seo, Bongcheol Kim & Duhwan Mun

Authors
  1. Kyeong-Jun Seo
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  2. Bongcheol Kim
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  3. Duhwan Mun
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Duhwan Mun.

Additional information

Kyeong-Jun Seo is a Doctor’s course of the School of Mechanical Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, Korea. He works National Rehabilitation Center (Seoul, Korea). He received his M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Kongju National University. His current research interests are 3D scanning/printing, rehabilitation orthosis and exoskeleton robots.

Bongcheol Kim is a Doctor’s course of the School of Mechanical Engineering at Korea University, Seoul, Korea. He received his M.S. in Precision Mechanical Engineering from Kyungpook National University. His current research interests are industrial data standards for product data exchange and product lifecycle management.

Duhwan Mun is a Professor in the School of Mechanical Engineering at Korea University, Seoul, Korea. He obtained his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering in 2006 at Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology. His current research interests are computer-aided design, industrial data standards for product data exchange, product lifecycle management, knowledge-based engineering, and VR for engineering applications.

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Seo, KJ., Kim, B. & Mun, D. Development of customized ankle-foot-orthosis using 3D scanning and printing technologies. J Mech Sci Technol 37, 6131–6142 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-023-2406-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-023-2406-1

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