Fabrication of Ankle-Foot Orthoses using Selective Laser Sintering Technology

Author(s)

Allison Kinney, University of DaytonFollow
M. C. Faustini, University of Texas at Austin
Richard R. Neptune, University of Texas at Austin
R. H. Crawford, University of Texas at Austin
S. J. Stanhope, National Institutes of Health

Document Type

Conference Paper

Publication Date

7-2007

Publication Source

12th World Congress of the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics

Abstract

Passive dynamic ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) are often prescribed to improve gait performance for those with various neuromuscular disorders. Designs and materials used for AFOs range from simple polypropylene braces to advanced custom carbon fiber dynamic AFOs that passively store and release mechanical energy during gait. AFO designs vary in the shape and length of the foot component as well as the stiffness and length of the tibial component, depending on the desired functional outcomes. However, the current fabrication technology is not ideally suited for refined customization of AFO characteristics to optimize performance, or for rapid lowcost, high volume manufacturing and global distribution.

A promising engineering solution for producing customized dynamic AFOs is the application of Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), which is a versatile manufacturing technology that provides advantages over traditional methods and has already been successfully used to fabricate prosthetic sockets for lower limb amputees (e.g., Faustini et al., 2006). Thus, the primary objective of this study was to explore the feasibility of using an SLSbased design, analysis and manufacturing framework to produce subject-specific passive dynamic AFOs in a cost-effective manner.

Inclusive pages

297

Document Version

Published Version

Comments

The document available for download is posted here with permission from the publisher.

Permission documentation is on file.

Copyright

Copyright © 2007, International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics

Publisher

International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics

Place of Publication

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Peer Reviewed

yes

eCommons Citation

Kinney, Allison; Faustini, M. C.; Neptune, Richard R.; Crawford, R. H.; and Stanhope, S. J., "Fabrication of Ankle-Foot Orthoses using Selective Laser Sintering Technology" (2007). Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications. 7.
https://ecommons.udayton.edu/mee_fac_pub/7