Guide for new business and research ideas

Action

Content

Title of the project

3D scanning and printing of the fashionable orthosis for scoliosis

Envisaged Program for funding / other sources for funding

Bilateral or other research projects

Domain of interest

3D human body scanning, CASP methodology, 3D printing, multifunctional textiles, virtual prototyping, computer graphics, adapted garments, textile materials and wearing comfort testing

Abstract

(up to 500 words)

In the last couple of years the 3D scanning and 3D printing has played an important role in the production of artificial limbs, other prosthetics and orthosis. Especially interesting is the use of low cost 3D printers for production of simple prosthetic and orthosis elements that are custom made to fit the demands of different functionality and simultaneously to reach the widest possible user base.

Therefore, the effectiveness of the 3D human body scanning and 3D printing technologies for personalized functional products indicates its potential also in designing of the fashion accessories for the disabled, e.g. fashion orthoses for scoliosis that users can wear as an accessory and provides perfect aesthetic results. Today, most of manufacturers of orthoses for scoliosis offer orthosis in different colors and pattern designs to improve their aesthetic appearance to rise the self-image of the wearer and hiding under the garments.

Less is aesthetically sophisticated orthoses for scoliosis, which contains perforated pattern structure. Simultaneously, supposing that perforated pattern structure can provide additional ventilation and thermal comfort when wearing orthosis.

The proposed project would be focused on (1) 3D scanning of scoliotic individuals, (2) modelling and reconstruction of 3D body models, (3) analysing the 3D bodies by using the CASP methodology, (4) 3D design of the normal and aesthetic orthosis, (4) 3D printing of the normal and aesthetic orthosis, (5) testing of the real persons thermo-physiological comfort due to the normal and aesthetic orthosis in combination with normal and antimicrobial garments.

Keywords (up to 5)

Scoliosis, fashionable orthosis, functional textile materials, adapted garments, wearing comfort

Envisaged partners sought

Research and testing institutes, universities, companies producing medical equipment, textiles, garments.

Contact data

(Name/Surname, Organization, email)

Andreja Rudolf

Institute of Engineering Materials and Design, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maribor, Slovenia

Email: andreja.rudolf@um.si