Authors (including presenting author) :
Lau HYA(1)
Affiliation :
(1) Prosthetic & Orthotic Department, Prince of Wales Hospital
Introduction :
3D-Printing (3PD) technology has been widely used in the prosthetic and orthotic services. In Prince of Wales Hospital, a number of prosthetic, orthotic and adaptative devices have been produced for patients in rehabilitation and functional restoration using 3DP, through which the service lead time has been shortened significantly. However, the bottleneck of the service delivery are imposed to the computer design and customisation for patients requiring similar design. In connection with this, A 3D model library for prosthetic, orthotic, and adaptive devices are developed to collect 3D designs and virtual models with different varieties, sizes, and functions. The users can easily to visualise the virtual models and perform quick matching with the patient’s needs.
Objectives :
An online virtual library was established to collect the 3D models that had been previously designed and printed for patients. The library was developed using Microsoft Access and SQL programming languages. The 3D models were input into the database system and indexed with the model specifications such as dimension, printing material, and function. Additionally, the 3D models can be easily modified and scaled if the original design could not be perfectly matched for the patient in terms of size, shape and function. The modified design will be stored and keeps the 3D model collection growing.
Methodology :
The virtual library has already collected many terminal devices of different functions and sizes for upper limb amputees. These devices restore functions including chopping, cutting, and gripping for daily activities. The library also contained collections of cosmetic prostheses. The latest 3D design allows above-elbow amputee to play violin with a wide range of string manipulation skills.
Result & Outcome :
In the future, terminal devices for different purposes like grasping object, sport activity and playing musical instrument would be included in the library to improve patient quality of life. Cosmetic cover of lower and upper limb prosthetic designs are growing in the virtual library. The virtual library network will be extended to other cluster’s services so that users can share the 3D models and participate in building up the library. The provision of rehabilitation devices could be enhanced and shorten the lead time with the continuous growing of the virtual library and 3DP technology for clinical use.
