No abstract

The field of rehabilitation and assistive technology has witnessed various approaches and changes in the course of its evolution. Traditional materials like wood or heavy metals have been replaced by resins and plastics. The need to deliver assistive devices has quickly resulted in the creation of new technologies like 3D printing and digital transformation, internet of things IoT. This article addresses the development of applying digital transformation and 3D printing techniques to produce socket designs for weight bearing transtibial prosthetic system. It also focus on efficacy of the load-bearing transtibial sockets, design philosophies involved, materials used and the forthcoming challenges. This initiative involves experienced clinical prosthetists, product designers, digital modelers and additive manufacturing engineers working toward this application.

<p>The most widely-used active upper-limb (UL) prostheses worldwide are body-powered (BP), which is a two-century-old technology. Despite their affordability and functional benefits to users, these devices are prone to poor outcomes for many patients. Additionally, BP devices have witnessed limited improvements compared to their externally-powered counterparts. Literature indicates a strong need for appropriate prosthetic solutions for children and adolescents. Our previous work introduced a first-of-its-kind breathing-powered UL prosthesis (“Airbender”) that can overcome several limitations of the current BP systems (e.g., restricted operation space, user discomfort caused by the harness to which the cables are attached). Users can regulate their breathing, and this controllable airflow is subsequently used to power a small (purpose-built and optimised) Tesla turbine that can accurately control the opening and closing of the prosthetic hand. The current work explores device usability in children and adolescents with a UL difference (n = 15). Further, we gathered feedback, suggestions, and satisfaction levels from the study participants and their parents on breathing as a modality of controlling a prosthetic device. The collected responses and study observations were subjected to qualitative and statistical analysis. This study showcases real-world testing of a breathing-powered prosthesis and proves that UL-deficient children and adolescents can indeed operate the device (i.e., volitionally open or close) with their breathing input. The perceived level of difficulty in opening or closing the device tended to be on the ‘easy’ side. We report generally favourable feedback obtained from participants and their parents. Additionally, design suggestions and satisfaction levels concerning different device attributes help us involve the key stakeholders in co-creating and proactively developing a robust product development roadmap. This work is aligned with creating a step-change in the potential BP prosthesis options for patients in the future, propelled by a need-led approach. </p>

The most widely-used active upper-limb (UL) prostheses worldwide are body-powered (BP), which is a two-centuries-old technology. Despite their affordability and functional benefits to users, these devices are prone to poor outcomes for many patients. Additionally, BP devices have witnessed limited improvements compared to their externally-powered counterparts. Literature indicates a strong need for appropriate prosthetic solutions for children and adolescents. Our previous work introduced a first-of-itskind breathing-powered UL prosthesis ("Airbender") that can overcome several limitations of the current BP systems (e.g., restricted operation space, user discomfort caused by the harness to which the cables are attached). Users can regulate their breathing, and this controllable airflow is subsequently used to power a small (purpose-built and optimised) Tesla turbine that can accurately control the opening and closing of the prosthetic hand. The current work explores device usability in children and adolescents with a UL difference (n = 15). Further, we gathered feedback, suggestions and satisfaction levels from the study participants and their parents on breathing as a modality of controlling a prosthetic device. The collected responses and study observations were subjected to qualitative and statistical analysis. This study showcases real-world testing of a breathing-powered prosthesis and proves that UL-deficient children and adolescents can indeed operate the device (i.e., volitionally open or close) with their breathing input. The perceived level of difficulty in opening or closing the device tended to be on the 'easy' side. We report generally favourable feedback obtained from participants and their parents. Additionally, design suggestions and satisfaction levels concerning different device attributes help us involve the key stakeholders in co-creating and proactively developing a robust product development roadmap. This work is aligned with creating a step-change in the potential BP prosthetics options for patients in the future, propelled by a need-led approach.

Background Parents who have young children with complex physical disabilities face challenges that are both physically and emotionally demanding. Parents of children with disabilities spend more time providing child assistance and supervision than other parents.Aim To determine the parent-perceived effects of adaptive positional seating and standing devices for children with delay in developmental milestones aged 2 to 14 years.Method The present study was conducted at Mobility India outpatient rehab clinic urban slums of the Bengaluru City Rural Chamrajnagar District Karnataka and two rehabilitation centres in Andhra Pradesh. A cross-sectional study was designed in which 52 parents of children with cerebral palsy were interviewed with QUEST Version 2.0 the pre and post usage positional device questionnaires. Results The usage of the pre positional device questionnaire reported that child positioning child-caring was time taking amp burdensome parent engagement in household and earning activities was difficult. The usage of the post positional devices reported that it helped to achieve near-normal positioning helped in feeding child enhanced eye contact with siblings and family members and improved communication by signing and indication. Parents took less time in child feeding caring with positional devices and engaged themselves in the household and earning activities. The positional devicersquos usage showed a significant effect on achieving milestones and also provided therapeutic benefits.Conclusion The parentrsquos perceived effects on the usage of the adaptive positional device for children with delayed developmental milestones were that it helped in physical abilities communication psychosocial and personal care. The parents felt relief from long-term engagement with children which created enough time for household and earning activities.