The arm brace was designed by Agata Wajda, a student at the Department of Industrial Forms at the Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow. She created the object with a view to the rehabilitation of Grzegorz, who is 26 years old and has been recovering from a stroke in his left cerebral hemisphere for two years. Similar objects have also been designed by other students of the academy, but this time we present the one by Agata Wajda.
The orthosis consists of two separate elements that straighten the phalanges and stiffen the spastic hand. The stabilisers are made by 3D printing from TPU filament which provides flexibility and increases friction. This allows for a more secure grip on objects.
The orthoses were designed for the rehabilitation of Gregory, who is 26 years old and is two years post-stroke in the left hemisphere of his brain. Stroke is increasingly affecting not only the elderly, but also young people before the age of 30. The inspiration for the finger brace came from the hair wrapped around the finger, which provided stiffness but allowed gentle movement.
I transferred this principle to 3D printing. Keeping the right proportions, I designed a cylinder with notches that allows for stiffness and flexibility at the same time,” describes Agata Wajda.
The object consists of two separate elements designed to stretch the phalanges and stiffen the spastic hand. The first element is designed to stabilise the radiocarpal joint while allowing the phalanges to be rehabilitated by keeping them in position. This component provides the necessary support to help return the joint and phalanges to full function. The second component is designed to allow straightening of the clenched fingers. This supports the rehabilitation of both flexion and straightening of the hand, which is key to regaining full function. The flexibility of this component allows for controlled movements, which promotes gradual improvements in range of movement and muscle strength. The stabilisers are made by 3D printing from TPU filament which provides flexibility and increases friction. This allows for a more secure grip on everyday objects.
The project began with understanding the nature of stroke and its effects. Thanks to a conversation with Karolina Wiktor, an artist and activist who experienced a stroke herself, I got to know her personal story. Karolina described her experiences and her current life after her stroke, emphasising the importance of daily rehabilitation. As part of the project, I also worked with physiotherapist Joanna Czesak, who works with stroke survivors on a daily basis. Dr Aneta Szymaszek, a researcher specialising in neurorehabilitation, was also consulted. I decided to use 3D printing technology, which makes it possible to create low-cost and customised solutions for patients. The key objective was to develop an orthosis that would straighten spastic fingers,” explains the designer.
The use of TPU material allows for a spring-like effect, which prevents fatigue of the phalanges by continuous straightening. The second objective was to stabilise the fingers of the hand and the wrist. One important consideration was the ease of putting on the orthosis. People with a spastic hand often have difficulty operating complex devices, so the student wanted to design an orthosis that could be slipped onto the hand without the help of another person. Last but not least, the aim was to reduce treatment costs.
The design of the hand orthosis is distinguished by the use of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), which provides flexibility and strength. The TPU springs back, allowing the fingers to rest without the risk of fatigue from constant extension. The orthosis is easy to put on for those with limited hand dexterity, increasing practicality and user autonomy. The ergonomic design minimises discomfort and the risk of chafing. The use of 3D printing significantly reduces production costs, making the orthosis more accessible. 3D printing also makes it possible to quickly create an individually tailored orthosis to the size of the hand. Agata Wajda prepared the design in collaboration with experts in physiotherapy, neurorehabilitation and post-stroke patients, ensuring that the product meets the real needs of users.
In the future, I would be interested in testing prototypes of the orthosis on a larger group of patients at different stages of rehabilitation, so I would get valuable feedback on the comfort, functionality and effectiveness of the device. Based on the results of the tests, I would make the necessary modifications to the design to make it even more responsive to the users’ needs. Additionally, I would ensure that the manufacturing process is optimised to increase efficiency and reduce costs. I would also improve the personalisation process of the orthosis using 3D scanning technology to better tailor the device to individual patients’ needs,” concludesthe student.
source: Agata Wajda
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