USE OF ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING PROCESSES IN THE MANUFACTURE OF CUSTOM ORTHOSES

摘要

A method for manufacturing a custom orthosis, such as an ankle brace, includes use of scanning processes. A digital model of a surface may be applied to a digital orthosis model to define a custom digital orthosis model. The digital model and, thus, the custom digital orthosis model may include one or more standard features. The custom digital orthosis model may be used with an automated manufacturing process to make some or all of the custom orthosis. In some embodiments, additive manufacturing processes may be used to form a portion or all of the custom orthosis.

主权项

1. A method for fabricating a custom orthosis, comprising:
generating a digital negative model of a body part for which a custom orthosis is to be made, the digital negative model including custom surface data corresponding to at least one surface of the body part; applying the digital negative model to a digital orthosis model to incorporate the custom surface data into a customizable area of the digital orthosis model to create a custom digital orthosis model; and using the custom digital orthosis model to fabricate the custom orthosis for use on the body part.