| 제목 |
The Application of a Three-Dimensional Printed Writing and Typing device for Severely Disabled Patients: A Case Series |
| 소속 |
Veterans Health Service Medical Center, Seoul, Korea, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation1, Veterans Health Service Medical Center, Seoul, Korea, Center of Prosthetics and Orthotics2 |
| 저자 |
Jong Hyuk Lee1*, Hee Seung Yang1†, Seung Hyun Han1, Byeong Min Lee1, Seul Bin Na Lee1, Min Cho1, Yun Kyung Lee1, Kwan Soo Park2 |
BACKGROUND
People with spinal cord injury or stroke often experience severe hand dysfunction. Such severely disabled patients expect a considerable improvement in quality of life if their hand function improves.
Recently, lower limb aesthetic covers, insoles, silicone liners, wheelchair control devices, and spinal braces have been developed to suit disability characteristics and individual body shape using 3D design and scanning.
AIM
To demonstrate the effects of a customized 3D-printed writing and typing device in severely disabled patients.
RESULTS
CASE 1
A 29-year-old male patient presented with quadriplegia due to traumatic brain injury.
When typing and writing, the assistive device that the patient uses with his fingers is made of PLA material.
A brace could be used in the neutral position and improve writing and typing simultaneously. (Fig. 1)
For patient evaluation, the time required for typing and writing before and after wearing the brace was measured.
The evaluation was conducted before and after wearing the device during writing and typing, but it was impossible to evaluate during writing, but it showed an improvement in the time required in the numeric typing items during typing.
CASE 2-4
Male patients with tetraplegia asia impairment scale (AIS) due to spinal cord injury.
They are unable to use their fingers due to cervical level injury, and they need caregiver assistance in writing their name and using their smartphone.
Furthermore, related assistive devices have been found to be too firm and difficult to carry; and thus, a mold was produced by 3D printing, into which liquid silicone of various hardness was poured. (Fig. 2)
Therefore, silicone braces were custom manufactured for each patient and applied to the hand.
The items of K-WAB were applied and evaluated before and after wearing the device during typing.
In all 3 cases, the time required for writing improved.
CONCLUSION
With the rapid development of CAD, 3D scanning, and 3D printer capabilities, applications in the field of 3D printed rehabilitation devices have tremendous potential.
Customized 3D-printed writing and typing devices can improve patient quality of life during writing and typing tasks.
|
|
Fig. 1. Writing and typing device in the neutral position with PLA material.
Fig. 2. (a) 3D designed molding. (b) Writing and typing device composed of silicone material.
Table 1. Result of Case 2-4
|
