Patient-specific 3D-printed Splint for Mallet Finger Injury

Abstract

Despite the frequency of mallet finger injuries, treatment options can often be costly, time-consuming, and ill-fitted. Three-dimensional (3D) printing allows for the production of highly customized and inexpensive splints, which suggests potential efficacy in the prescription of casts for musculoskeletal injuries. This study explores how the use of engineering concepts such as 3D printing and topology optimization (TO) can improve outcomes for patients. 3D printing enables the direct fabrication of the patient-specific complex shapes while utilizing finite element analysis and TO in the design of the splint allowed for the most efficient distribution of material to achieve mechanical requirements while reducing the amount of material used. The reduction in used material leads to significant improvements in weight reduction and heat dissipation, which would improve breathability and less sweating for the patient, greatly increasing comfort for the duration of their recovery.

Three-dimensional Printed Customized Adjustable Mallet Finger Splint: A Cheap, Effective, and Comfortable Alternative

“…Advancements in additive manufacturing have allowed computer-aided design and 3D printing technology to provide a standardized and efficient approach to manufacturing of surgical instrumentation and customized orthotic devices. 9 – 12 This study demonstrates our experience with the design, manufacture, and testing of individualized 3D printed mallet finger splints. We show that these splints provide a comfortable, radiolucent, and low-cost alternative to the traditional options available.…”

3D bioprinting in cardiac tissue engineering

“…However, analysis of the structural mechanics of CAD models before printing is still deficient. In the future, finite element analysis [190,191] and topology optimization [192], which are widely used in medical equipment design, could be employed to analyze these patches, hearts, and other models to allow for precise design of the material system for structure regulation, and performance optimization.…”

Four-Dimensional Printing for Hydrogel: Theoretical Concept, 4D Materials, Shape-Morphing Way, and Future Perspectives

“…These advancements might achieve better patient welfare outcomes. The concept of topology optimization (finite elemental analysis) and 3D printing further improved patient clinical outcomes (increased patient comfort and fast recovery) [126,127]. Moreover, topology optimization (TO) along with 4D printing became a powerful digital tool to fabricate optimal internal architectures for the efficient performance of the soft actuator to deliver drugs in the delicate microenvironment of body tissue or engineered regenerated tissue [127,128].…”