Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2021, Vol. 25 ›› Issue (9): 1329-1334.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.3758

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Digital design and effect evaluation of three-dimensional printing scoliosis orthosis

Lu Dezhi1, Mei Zhao2, Li Xianglei3, Wang Caiping4, Sun Xin5, Wang Xiaowen1, Wang Jinwu5   

  1. 1School of Rehabilitation Medicine, 3School of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, Shandong Province, China; 2Huazhu Medical Technology Co., Ltd. (Shanghai), Shanghai 201204, China; 4School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200011, China; 5Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orthopedics, Department of Orthopedics of the Ninth People’s Hospital Affiliated to Medical School of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200011, China
  • Received:2020-04-21 Revised:2020-04-24 Accepted:2020-05-22 Online:2021-03-28 Published:2020-12-15
  • Contact: Wang Jinwu, MD, Professor, Chief physician, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orthopedics, Department of Orthopedics of the Ninth People’s Hospital Affiliated to Medical School of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200011, China Wang Xiaowen, MD, Associate professor, School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, Shandong Province, China
  • About author:Lu Dezhi, Master candidate, School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, Shandong Province, China
  • Supported by:
    the Key Research and Development Project of the Ministry of Science and Technology of China, Nos. 2018YFB1105600, 2018YFB1107000; the Project of Shanghai Excellent Academic/Technical Leader Program in 2019, No. 19XD1434200; the Clinical Research MDT Project of Ninth People’s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 201914; the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training Program for College Students in Shandong Province, No. S201910438021S; the Science and Technology Innovation Fund for College Students of Weifang Medical University, No. KX2019058

Abstract: BACKGROUND: At present, the traditional orthosis manufacturing technology needs a lot of time and materials. The larger expansion coefficient of gypsum and the springback of material cooling will reduce the accuracy of orthosis. Therefore, the application of computer-aided design technology and three-dimensional printing technology in the field of orthosis is booming.   
OBJECTIVE: Based on the concept of multidisciplinary collaboration, a new scoliosis orthopedic device was designed and manufactured by optical scanning, computer-aided design and 3D printing, and its correction effect was evaluated.   
METHODS: Seven adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients, who were treated in the Three-Dimensional Printing Center of Ninth People’s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University between March and October 2019, were enrolled in this study. The patient’s trunk was scanned with three-dimensional scanner. Virtual orthopedic treatment was conducted in Rodin4D software. Data were imported into Magics to carry out the hollow out design of orthosis, which was made by three-dimensional printing technology. Seven patients were followed up for 6 months after wearing orthopedic devices for more than 20 hours every day. The scoliosis before and after intervention was analyzed to observe the clinical efficacy. 
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) The contactless iPad scanner was successfully used for mold taking. The orthopedic model was designed in the French Rodin4D software, and the orthopedic model was hollowed-out by the Magics software. A suitable three-dimensional printed personalized scoliosis orthopedic device was produced through three-dimensional printing. (2) All the seven patients were improved significantly. Cobb angle before treatment was (29.43±7.68)°, and the angle of trunk inclination was (11.57±2.76)°. At 6 months after treatment, Cobb angle was (8.71±5.96)° (corrected 72%), and the angle of trunk inclination was (3.57±2.57)° (corrected 70%). The Cobb angle and angle of trunk inclination were significantly different before and after treatment (P < 0.01). (3) The digital medicine and 3D printing technology are applied in the field of rehabilitation AIDS, based on the concept of multidisciplinary collaboration. The production of personalized scoliosis orthopedic program is feasible, and the orthopedic rehabilitation effect is remarkable. 

Key words: spine, scoliosis, idiopathic, adolescent, 3D printing, computer aided design, orthosis, personalization, Cobb angle

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