Dilatancy-based impression and fabrication technique for custom foot orthoses

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Orthotics and Prosthetics
• Sustainable Manufacturing

Background:

• Traditional methods for custom foot orthoses (CFOs) like plaster, foam, and laser scanning generate waste and can be impractical in resource-limited settings.
• Existing impression techniques for CFOs often involve multiple steps and materials, contributing to environmental impact and cost.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a novel, greener impression and fabrication technique for custom foot orthoses (CFOs) utilizing the dilatancy principle.
• To offer an alternative to conventional, waste-generating methods for orthotic fabrication.

Main Methods:

• The dilatancy (vacuum-based) procedure involves capturing a foot impression, creating a positive sand model from the negative mold, modifying the sand model, and thermoforming the orthosis.
• This plaster-less system employs the dilatancy principle for impression taking and fabrication.

Main Results:

• The dilatancy casting system provides a plaster-less, reusable, and clean method for fabricating custom foot orthoses.
• The technique is inexpensive to set up and maintain, minimizing both cost and waste.

Conclusions:

• The dilatancy casting system offers a potentially cheaper, faster, and greener alternative for custom foot orthoses fabrication.
• This innovative approach is suitable for both developing and developed countries, enhancing accessibility and sustainability in orthotic care.