The Missing Link - Design considerations for a 3D - printed pylon adapter in lower limb prostheses
Loading...
Date
2024-05
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The Ohio State University
Abstract
In the United States, an estimated 1.9 million individuals live with limb-loss, yet fewer than half of them receive prescriptions for prosthetic devices. This number is projected to double by 2050, indicating a proportional increase in amputees without access to prescribed prostheses. Countries lacking established prosthetists face even greater challenges in providing accessible medical devices and care. To address this critical issue, there is a need to develop an affordable and functional substitute for traditional prostheses that caters to individuals across various socioeconomic statuses. As Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) printing technology has increased in accessibility and affordability, it has the potential to solve this issue and has been present in external research on 3-Dimensional (3D) printed prostheses. As such, this research aims to fill a gap in current studies on additive manufactured prosthetic devices by creating a 3D printed pylon for lower-limb prostheses. Using SolidWorks, I designed and simulated 3D models for FDM printed prosthetic pylons. These models underwent simulated compressive, torque, and bending tests, following ISO 10328 standards on testing lower limb prostheses. These simulations incorporated representative material properties for common FDM filaments such as polylactic acid (PLA), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyamide 11 (PA11), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), allowing for a comprehensive analysis of different material choices. Data analysis revealed that the model designed after a traditional pylon consistently exhibited lower stress and strain compared to pylon models with varying cross-sections. ABS, with its favorable performance, accessibility, physical properties, and cost, was selected for printing. The cylindrical model was then printed in multiple replicants using Kodak white 2.85mm ABS filament on an Ultimaker 2+ FDM printer. These replicants will undergo compression testing following ISO 10328 standards, with the results contributing to this report. Successful completion of this research sets the stage for further work, aggregating results from this and similar studies to develop a fully functional below-knee prosthesis. Researchers can then conduct tests to confirm its ability to replace standard devices, providing a fully functional, accessible, and low-cost prosthesis option for patients lacking access to adequate medical care or coverage.
Description
Keywords
Additive Manufacturing, Prostheses, Accessibility, Prosthesis, Fused Deposition Modeling, Telehealth