Development of a Smart Leg Splint by Using New Sensor Technologies and New Therapy Possibilities
Nowadays, after suffering a fracture in an upper or lower limb, a plaster cast is placed on the affected limb. It is a very old and efficient technique for recovery from an injury that has not had significant changes since its origin. This project aims to develop a new low-cost smart 3D printed spli...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2021-08-01
|
| Series: | Sensors |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/21/15/5252 |
| _version_ | 1797411157941682176 |
|---|---|
| author | José María De Agustín Del Burgo Fernando Blaya Haro Roberto D’Amato Alonso Blaya Juan Antonio Juanes Méndez |
| author_facet | José María De Agustín Del Burgo Fernando Blaya Haro Roberto D’Amato Alonso Blaya Juan Antonio Juanes Méndez |
| author_sort | José María De Agustín Del Burgo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Nowadays, after suffering a fracture in an upper or lower limb, a plaster cast is placed on the affected limb. It is a very old and efficient technique for recovery from an injury that has not had significant changes since its origin. This project aims to develop a new low-cost smart 3D printed splint concept by using new sensing techniques. Two rapidly evolving Advanced Manufacturing (AM) technologies will be used: 3D scanning and 3D printing, thus combining engineering, medicine and materials evolution. The splint will include new small and lightweight sensors to detect any problem during the treatment process. Previous studies have already incorporated this kind of sensor for medical purposes. However, in this study it is implemented with a new concept: the possibility of applying treatments during the immobilization process and obtaining information from the sensors to modify the treatment. Due to this, rehabilitation treatments like infrared, ultrasounds or electroshock may be applied during the treatment, and the sensors (as it is showed in the study) will be able to detect changes during the rehabilitation process. Data of the pressure, temperature, humidity and colour of the skin will be collected in real time and sent to a mobile device so that they can be consulted remotely by a specialist. Moreover, it would be possible to include these data into the Internet of Things movement. This way, all the collected data might be compared and studied in order to find the best treatment for each kind of injury. It will be necessary to use a biocompatible material, submersible and suitable for contact with skin. These materials make it necessary to control the conditions in which the splint is produced, to assure that the properties are maintained. This development, makes it possible to design a new methodology that will help to provide faster and easier treatment. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T04:41:57Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-70d912534b934271ae529d29321fb807 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1424-8220 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T04:41:57Z |
| publishDate | 2021-08-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Sensors |
| spelling | doaj.art-70d912534b934271ae529d29321fb8072023-12-03T13:20:00ZengMDPI AGSensors1424-82202021-08-012115525210.3390/s21155252Development of a Smart Leg Splint by Using New Sensor Technologies and New Therapy PossibilitiesJosé María De Agustín Del Burgo0Fernando Blaya Haro1Roberto D’Amato2Alonso Blaya3Juan Antonio Juanes Méndez4Campus Miguel de Unamuno, Universidad de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, SpainETSIDI-Departamento de Ingeniería Mecánica, Química y Diseño Industrial, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM), Ronda de Valencia 3, 28012 Madrid, SpainETSIDI-Departamento de Ingeniería Mecánica, Química y Diseño Industrial, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM), Ronda de Valencia 3, 28012 Madrid, SpainDepartamento de Fisioterapía de la, Universidad Europea de Madrid, 28670 Madrid, SpainCampus Miguel de Unamuno, Universidad de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, SpainNowadays, after suffering a fracture in an upper or lower limb, a plaster cast is placed on the affected limb. It is a very old and efficient technique for recovery from an injury that has not had significant changes since its origin. This project aims to develop a new low-cost smart 3D printed splint concept by using new sensing techniques. Two rapidly evolving Advanced Manufacturing (AM) technologies will be used: 3D scanning and 3D printing, thus combining engineering, medicine and materials evolution. The splint will include new small and lightweight sensors to detect any problem during the treatment process. Previous studies have already incorporated this kind of sensor for medical purposes. However, in this study it is implemented with a new concept: the possibility of applying treatments during the immobilization process and obtaining information from the sensors to modify the treatment. Due to this, rehabilitation treatments like infrared, ultrasounds or electroshock may be applied during the treatment, and the sensors (as it is showed in the study) will be able to detect changes during the rehabilitation process. Data of the pressure, temperature, humidity and colour of the skin will be collected in real time and sent to a mobile device so that they can be consulted remotely by a specialist. Moreover, it would be possible to include these data into the Internet of Things movement. This way, all the collected data might be compared and studied in order to find the best treatment for each kind of injury. It will be necessary to use a biocompatible material, submersible and suitable for contact with skin. These materials make it necessary to control the conditions in which the splint is produced, to assure that the properties are maintained. This development, makes it possible to design a new methodology that will help to provide faster and easier treatment.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/21/15/5252smart splintrehabilitation therapyIoTAM techniquecustomized medicinehealth monitoring |
| spellingShingle | José María De Agustín Del Burgo Fernando Blaya Haro Roberto D’Amato Alonso Blaya Juan Antonio Juanes Méndez Development of a Smart Leg Splint by Using New Sensor Technologies and New Therapy Possibilities Sensors smart splint rehabilitation therapy IoT AM technique customized medicine health monitoring |
| title | Development of a Smart Leg Splint by Using New Sensor Technologies and New Therapy Possibilities |
| title_full | Development of a Smart Leg Splint by Using New Sensor Technologies and New Therapy Possibilities |
| title_fullStr | Development of a Smart Leg Splint by Using New Sensor Technologies and New Therapy Possibilities |
| title_full_unstemmed | Development of a Smart Leg Splint by Using New Sensor Technologies and New Therapy Possibilities |
| title_short | Development of a Smart Leg Splint by Using New Sensor Technologies and New Therapy Possibilities |
| title_sort | development of a smart leg splint by using new sensor technologies and new therapy possibilities |
| topic | smart splint rehabilitation therapy IoT AM technique customized medicine health monitoring |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/21/15/5252 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT josemariadeagustindelburgo developmentofasmartlegsplintbyusingnewsensortechnologiesandnewtherapypossibilities AT fernandoblayaharo developmentofasmartlegsplintbyusingnewsensortechnologiesandnewtherapypossibilities AT robertodamato developmentofasmartlegsplintbyusingnewsensortechnologiesandnewtherapypossibilities AT alonsoblaya developmentofasmartlegsplintbyusingnewsensortechnologiesandnewtherapypossibilities AT juanantoniojuanesmendez developmentofasmartlegsplintbyusingnewsensortechnologiesandnewtherapypossibilities |