ManiFlex

In this master thesis, in collaboration with the orthopedic company Orthobroker, a dynamic orthosis made of thermoplastic polyurethane is developed using the Multi Jet Fusion printing technique. TPU has  flexible properties according to the material study therefore it can be used as the basis for a dynamic hand-arm orthosis for children with cerebral palsy who suffer from the negative consequences of hypertonia in the upper limb. From a human centred analysis all the needs of the user are translated into the specifications that the orthosis should possess. These specifications and properties are individually examined through prototypes and material verifications. The result is a design of a dynamic orthosis for the chosen target group that can be developed by an orthopedic technician. The orthopedic technician can upload the upper limb with a 3D scanner into a software, after which the orthosis can be placed around this anatomical shape. In the software, the orthosis can be fully personalized according to the clinical data measured by a physician-specialist and the personal wishes of the patient. The production of the dynamic orthosis is done by the Multi Jet Fusion 3D printing technology. This product will replace the traditional flawed static orthoses produced with outdated techniques.