Printing a 3-dimensional, Patient-specific Splint for Wound Immobilization: A Case Demonstration

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Additive Manufacturing
• Clinical Applications of 3D Printing

Background:

• Three-dimensional (3D) printing offers versatile fabrication capabilities for complex geometries.
• Clinical applications include creating patient-specific medical devices.
• Custom splints can aid in wound healing by immobilizing affected areas.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate the feasibility of using 3D printing technology to fabricate a patient-specific thermoplastic splint.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of a 3D printed splint in supporting the healing of a dehisced shoulder wound.

Main Methods:

• A 54-year-old male patient requiring an arm immobilization splint for a dehisced left shoulder wound was selected for the study.
• The patient's upper extremity was scanned using noncontact scanning technology.
• A custom polylactic acid splint was designed using 3D technology software and subsequently 3D printed over 66 hours.

Main Results:

• A patient-specific thermoplastic splint was successfully fabricated using 3D printing.
• The splint was worn by the patient during the day to limit arm movement.
• After two weeks of wearing the splint, the shoulder wound had healed sufficiently for the patient to be discharged from the hospital.

Conclusions:

• Patient-specific splint creation via 3D printing is a viable medical application.
• Despite a lengthy printing time, 3D printed splints show positive implications for clinical practice.
• This technology holds potential for various individualized medical device fabrications.