Design and development of a customized 3D-printed assistive device using modular 3D blocks

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Rehabilitation Engineering
• Additive Manufacturing

Background:

• Three-dimensional (3D) printing offers customizable, cost-effective, and reproducible manufacturing for assistive devices.
• Traditional assistive device customization can be time-consuming and expensive.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop customized 3D-printed assistive devices utilizing 3D blocks.
• To enhance the fit, functionality, and aesthetics of assistive devices through personalized design.

Main Methods:

• Employed 3D scanning to capture limb and trunk geometries.
• Utilized 3D blocks with subdivision surfaces, optimized via mass-spring models and the Gauss-Newton method for precise user fit.
• Applied blending-based morphing with 3D blocks for diverse pattern generation.

Main Results:

• Achieved real-time manufacturing of customized assistive device external appearances.
• Designs met usability, functionality, and aesthetic requirements.
• Usability testing, using the Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology, yielded high satisfaction scores.

Conclusions:

• Integration of 3D scanning and printing enables reverse engineering for personalized assistive devices.
• The proposed method significantly enhances user satisfaction.
• This approach provides a practical solution for customized assistive device development.