Design of a 3D-printed, open-source wrist-driven orthosis for individuals with spinal cord injury

PLoS One. 2018 Feb 22;13(2):e0193106. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0193106. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

Assistive technology, such as wrist-driven orthoses (WDOs), can be used by individuals with spinal cord injury to improve hand function. A lack of innovation and challenges in obtaining WDOs have limited their use. These orthoses can be heavy and uncomfortable for users and also time-consuming for orthotists to fabricate. The goal of this research was to design a WDO with user (N = 3) and orthotist (N = 6) feedback to improve the accessibility, customizability, and function of WDOs by harnessing advancements in 3D-printing. The 3D-printed WDO reduced hands-on assembly time to approximately 1.5 hours and the material costs to $15 compared to current fabrication methods. Varying improvements in users' hand function were observed during functional tests, such as the Jebsen Taylor Hand Function Test. For example, one participant's ability on the small object task improved by 29 seconds with the WDO, while another participant took 25 seconds longer to complete this task with the WDO. Two users had a significant increase in grasp strength with the WDO (13-122% increase), while the other participant was able to perform a pinching grasp for the first time. The WDO designs are available open-source to increase accessibility and encourage future innovation.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Female
  • Hand / physiopathology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Orthotic Devices*
  • Printing, Three-Dimensional*
  • Spinal Cord Injuries / physiopathology*
  • Spinal Cord Injuries / rehabilitation*

Grants and funding

This research was supported by the National Science Foundation under CBET 1452646 - received by KMS. It was also supported by the University of Washington through a Mary Gates Scholarship (http://expd.uw.edu/mge/apply/research/), Levinson Emerging Scholars Award (https://www.washington.edu/undergradresearch/students/funding/levinson/), and National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduate under EEC-1028725 - received by AAP. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.