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Develop remote orthotic fabrication workflow using 3D modeling and 3D printing technology for carpometacarpal
Maryam Farzad1, Joy MacDermid2, Louis Ferreira3
1Hand and Upper Limb Center, St. Joseph's Health Center, London, ON, Canada; School of Physical Therapy, Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Western University, London, ON, Canada; School of Occupational Therapy, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
This study developed a remote workflow for custom orthoses for CMC osteoarthritis, using 3D scanning and printing. The new method accurately fits patients, reducing the need for in-person visits.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical engineering
- Orthotics and prosthetics
- Digital health technologies
Background:
- Carpometacarpal (CMC) osteoarthritis necessitates orthotic intervention for pain relief and function enhancement.
- Traditional custom orthosis fabrication requires in-person clinical appointments, posing a barrier to patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish and validate a completely remote workflow for fabricating custom orthoses for CMC osteoarthritis patients.
- Leverage mobile 3D scanning, web-based assessments, and 3D printing for accessible orthotic care.
Main Methods:
- A five-step remote workflow was developed, including a web-based assessment app, mobile 3D hand scanning, digital joint repositioning, parametric orthosis design, and 3D printing.
- Pilot validation involved five CMC osteoarthritis patients, usability testing, and accuracy validation against high-precision methods.
Main Results:
- The web-based app showed strong content validity.
- Mobile 3D scanning achieved a mean absolute deviation of 0.93 mm, with joint repositioning at 0.87 mm.
- 3D-printed orthoses exhibited superior fit (0.95 mm deviation) compared to traditional models (1.96 mm deviation).
Conclusions:
- The developed remote orthotic fabrication workflow is accurate, feasible, and clinically applicable.
- This innovative approach facilitates personalized orthosis design and reduces reliance on in-person consultations.
- The workflow holds significant potential for advancing telehealth and remote hand therapy services.
