Alternate Title

Design and implementation of biomedical devices for evaluation and rehabilitation highlighting rapid prototyping tools and processes

Advisor(s)

Constantinos Mavroidis

Date of Award

2009

Date Accepted

8-2009

Degree Grantor

Northeastern University

Degree Level

M.S.

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department or Academic Unit

College of Engineering. Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering.

Keywords

3D Scanning, Biomedical Devices, Rapid Prototyping

Subject Categories

Three-dimensional imaging in medicine

Disciplines

Mechanical Engineering

Abstract

Developments in non-invasive three-dimensional scanning have made it possible to acquire digital models of freeform surfaces typical of the human body. Combined with rapid prototyping (RP) techniques, these technologies have the potential to transform personal medical devices by streamlining fabrication and providing a quantitative means to monitor patient physiology.

The medical orthotics field contains opportunities for streamlining and improving the process for fitting a patient-specific ankle-foot orthoses (AFO). A novel process architecture was developed to utilize 3D photogrammetric scanning as the patient-specific form data input, and selective laser sintering (SLS) as the patient-specific RP form output ideally suited for medical orthoses where form fit and comfort are paramount. Gait analysis proved that the ambulatory dynamics of the SLS AFO can match the capabilities of comparable polypropylene devices for impact on gait of a healthy subject.

RP with instrumented assemblies were used to design a system to simultaneously improve cardiovascular ability, neuromuscular endurance, and fine motor control for patients post-stroke by training them in a safe seated position on a stationary exercise bike. Modular sub-systems monitored physiological parameters in the upper and lower extremities via instrumented handlebars and pedals, which provide input controls to the patient's cyclist avatar in a virtual rehabilitation environment.

Together these technologies address mass-customization of intelligent medical mechatronic devices to remotely sense, evaluate, and rehabilitate patient populations with neuromuscular & musculoskeletal deficits.

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Rights Holder

Richard Gabriel Ranky


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