Orthosis manufacturing system, orthosis manufacturing method, and program

Abstract

To efficiently manufacture high-quality appliances. [Solution] This is an orthosis manufacturing system that includes an information acquisition unit that acquires personal shape information indicating the shape of the part of the body of the orthosis user where the orthosis is to be worn, an information generation unit that generates individual orthosis information indicating the shape of the orthosis to be used by the orthosis user based on the personal shape information, and a manufacturing instruction unit that causes an orthosis manufacturing device using a pellet-type 3D printer that manufactures orthosis in response to input of orthosis shape information indicating the shape of the orthosis to manufacture the orthosis using the individual orthosis information.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an orthosis manufacturing system, an orthosis manufacturing method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] A technique is known in which a three-dimensional model of a subject's trunk is constructed from CT or MRI image data, a trunk orthosis is designed based on the three-dimensional model, and the trunk orthosis is produced using a 3D printer based on the design (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-179210 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Prosthetic devices must be of the highest possible quality and be manufactured efficiently.

[0005] In consideration of the above-mentioned problems, an object of the present invention is to enable efficient production of high-quality orthotics. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention that solves the above-mentioned problems is an orthosis manufacturing system that includes an information acquisition unit that acquires personal shape information that indicates the shape of the part of the body of a user who wears the orthosis, an information generation unit that generates individual orthosis information that indicates the shape of the orthosis to be used by the user based on the personal shape information, and a manufacturing instruction unit that causes an orthosis manufacturing device using a pellet-type 3D printer that manufactures orthosis in response to input of orthosis shape information that indicates the shape of the orthosis to manufacture the orthosis using the individual orthosis information.

[0007] One aspect of the present invention is an orthosis manufacturing method in an orthosis manufacturing system, the method comprising: an information acquisition step in which an information acquisition unit acquires personal shape information indicating the shape of the part of the body of the orthosis user where the orthosis is to be worn; an information generation step in which an information generation unit generates individual orthosis information indicating the shape of the orthosis to be used by the orthosis user based on the personal shape information; and a manufacturing instruction step in which a manufacturing instruction unit causes an orthosis manufacturing device using a pellet-type 3D printer that manufactures orthosis in response to input of orthosis shape information indicating the shape of the orthosis to manufacture the orthosis using the individual orthosis information.

[0008] One aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a computer in an orthosis manufacturing system to function as an information acquisition unit that acquires personal shape information indicating the shape of the part of the body of the orthosis user where the orthosis is to be worn, an information generation unit that generates individual orthosis information indicating the shape of the orthosis to be used by the orthosis user based on the personal shape information, and a manufacturing instruction unit that causes an orthosis manufacturing device using a pellet-type 3D printer that manufactures orthosis in response to input of orthosis shape information indicating the shape of the orthosis to manufacture the orthosis using the individual orthosis information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain the effect of efficiently manufacturing high-quality orthotics. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of an orthosis manufacturing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a client terminal according to the present embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a manufacturing management device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of manufacturing facility information in the present embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of standard equipment information according to the present embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of individual device information according to the present embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a processing procedure executed by the orthosis manufacturing system in this embodiment in relation to the manufacturing of an orthosis. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] FIG. 1 shows an example of the overall configuration of an orthosis manufacturing system according to this embodiment. The orthosis manufacturing system shown in the figure is a system for manufacturing orthosis. The orthosis in this case may be used for treatment or rehabilitation after symptom stabilization. Specific examples of such orthoses include upper limb orthoses, lower limb orthoses, trunk orthoses, and shoe orthoses. Examples of upper limb orthoses include shoulder orthoses, elbow orthoses, long orthoses, short orthoses, grasping orthoses, hand dorsiflexion orthoses, MP extension and flexion orthoses, and finger orthoses. Examples of lower limb orthoses include hip orthoses, long leg orthoses, short leg orthoses, knee orthoses, foot orthoses, twisters, congenital hip orthoses, insoles, and the like. Examples of trunk orthoses include cervical orthoses, thoracic orthoses, lumbar orthoses, sacroiliac orthoses, and scoliosis correction orthoses. Examples of shoe orthoses include low boots, chukka boots, half boots, and boots. In this embodiment, the term "orthosis" may be understood as a concept that includes not only the various orthosis as finished products exemplified above, but also the parts (orthosis components) that make up the various orthosis as finished products.

[0012] 1, the client terminal 100 is a terminal owned by a client requesting the manufacture of an orthotic. The client requesting the manufacture of an orthotic may be, for example, a prosthetist. The client terminal 100 may be, for example, a personal computer, a tablet terminal, a smartphone, or the like. Furthermore, each of the clients who request the manufacture of the prosthetic device has a 3D scanner 200. The clients who request the manufacture of the prosthetic device have the 3D scanner 200 scan the body shape of the prosthetic device user, who is a patient who will be treated and rehabilitated using the prosthetic device.

[0013] The 3D scanner 200 outputs three-dimensional shape data obtained by scanning the body shape of the prosthetic device user. The three-dimensional shape data output from the 3D scanner 200 is input to the client terminal 100. The three-dimensional shape data may be input from the 3D scanner 200 to the client terminal 100 via a data interface or communication, for example.

[0014] The requester terminal 100 generates primary orthosis manufacturing request information including the input three-dimensional shape data. The primary orthosis manufacturing request information may include information indicating the corresponding orthosis manufacturing requester (orthosis manufacturing requester ID), information indicating the corresponding orthosis user (orthosis user ID), information indicating the corresponding orthosis type (orthosis type designation information), delivery date, etc. Furthermore, the primary orthosis manufacturing request information may include request information (an example of specification conditions) that reflects the requests of the orthosis user. The request information may include breathability, weight reduction, color, transparency, material, font, texture, etc. Such request information may be obtained by the person requesting the orthosis manufacturing by inputting the requests received from the orthosis user into the requester terminal 100. Furthermore, the primary orthosis manufacturing request information may also include physical attribute information describing predetermined attributes such as physical characteristics of the orthosis user. The physical attribute information may include, for example, the orthosis user's gender, age, height, weight, sitting height, head circumference, chest circumference, abdominal circumference, kyphosis, lumbar lordosis, decompression areas, medical history, surgical history, etc. Kyphosis refers to the degree of curvature of the back, lumbar lordosis refers to the degree of curvature of the lumbar vertebrae, and decompression areas refer to areas where pressure applied by the orthosis is reduced.

[0015] The client terminal 100 and the manufacturing management device 300 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a network, for example. The requester terminal 100 transmits the generated primary appliance manufacturing request information to the manufacturing management device 300.

[0016] In the orthosis manufacturing system, the manufacturing management device 300 performs processes related to manufacturing management of the orthosis between the client terminal 100 and the manufacturing facility FC. The manufacturing management device 300 may be provided as a server on a network or a cloud server.

[0017] Based on the received primary appliance request information, the manufacturing management device 300 generates information (individual appliance information) indicating the specifications of an appliance that is likely to suit the corresponding appliance user. The individual orthosis information includes an individual orthosis shape that reflects the three-dimensional shape data (personal shape information) included in the received primary orthosis request information.

[0018] The manufacturing management device 300 stores standard orthosis information indicating, for example, the specifications of orthosis standardized for each orthosis type. The specifications of the orthosis indicated by the standard orthosis information may include, for example, a standardized shape of the corresponding orthosis (standard orthosis shape) and clinical engineering performance (an example of specification conditions) defined for the corresponding orthosis.

[0019] Specifically, the clinical engineering performance may be that a decompression portion of a corresponding orthosis that does not compress a specific body part has a specific gap from the body part. Furthermore, the clinical engineering performance may be that the corresponding orthosis has a body fixation portion for fixing (including fixing in a corrective state) the specific body part. The personal shape information in the individual orthosis information may be generated so that the body fixation portion of the orthosis to be manufactured has a shape that is stronger than other parts, for example, by increasing the thickness.

[0020] The manufacturing management device 300 acquires the 3D shape data included in the received primary orthosis request information as personal shape information indicating the shape of the individual who will use the corresponding orthosis. The manufacturing management device 300 may generate an individual orthosis shape by changing standard orthosis shape information indicated by standard orthosis information for the corresponding orthosis type based on the personal shape information. Furthermore, the generation of the individual orthosis shape by the manufacturing management device 300 may include a process of setting the shape of the target orthosis based on the content of the request indicated by the request information included in the received primary orthosis request information.

[0021] The individual appliance information may also include specification designation information (an example of specification conditions) that designates the specifications of the appliance, such as the color, material, and gaps to be formed in the appliance. The specification specification information may also include information specifying the shape and material of the orthosis so as to satisfy the clinical engineering performance indicated in the standard orthosis information of the same orthosis type as that indicated in the received primary orthosis request information.

[0022] The manufacturing management device 300 may have the person requesting the manufacture of the orthosis confirm the contents of the generated individual orthosis information. In this case, the manufacturing management device 300 may send a confirmation request to the requester terminal 100. The confirmation request includes the generated individual orthosis information. The person requesting manufacture of the prosthesis causes the requester terminal 100 to display an individual prosthesis information screen showing the contents of the individual prosthesis information included in the confirmation request received by the requester terminal 100. The individual orthosis information screen may display a 3D image of the orthosis that reproduces the individual orthosis shape, color, material, etc. included in the individual orthosis information. The viewpoint of the 3D image of the orthosis may be freely changeable in response to an operation by the person requesting manufacture of the orthosis. Furthermore, when displaying the orthosis as a 3D image, a 3D image of the body shape of the orthosis user created based on the personal shape information of the corresponding orthosis user may also be displayed. Furthermore, for example, in response to an operation by the person requesting manufacture of the orthosis, a 3D image of the body shape of the orthosis user may be superimposed on the 3D image of the orthosis. By performing such a display, it becomes easier to compare the body shape of the orthosis user with the shape of the orthosis and check in detail whether the shape of the orthosis is as intended by the person requesting manufacture and meets the needs of the orthosis user. In addition, the individual device information screen may also present information on various specifications included in the individual device information using text, icons, etc.

[0023] The person requesting the manufacture of an orthosis can change the individual orthosis information by operating the individual orthosis information screen. Specifically, the person requesting the manufacture of an orthosis can perform operations to change the shape of the orthosis displayed as a 3D image. Specifically, for example, the person requesting the manufacture of an orthosis can change the shape of the decompression area of ​​the orthosis displayed as a 3D image by increasing or decreasing the size of the gap between the area and the body part. Furthermore, the person requesting the manufacture of an orthosis can change the fixation area that fixes the body part to fix or constrain the body part in the orthosis displayed as a 3D image by increasing or decreasing the degree of fixation as needed. Furthermore, the person requesting the manufacture of the prosthesis may be able to change the color, transparency, material, etc. of the prosthesis displayed on the individual prosthesis information screen.

[0024] The requester terminal 100 changes the individual orthosis information in response to an operation performed on the individual orthosis information screen as described above. The requester terminal 100 transmits secondary manufacturing request information including the changed individual orthosis information to the manufacturing management device 300, for example, in response to an operation by the person requesting manufacturing of the orthosis. In this manner, in this embodiment, the person requesting manufacturing of the orthosis can modify the individual orthosis information generated by the manufacturing management device 300 and then re-request manufacturing of the orthosis from the manufacturing management device 300.

[0025] The manufacturing management device 300 may determine the manufacturing process for the orthosis in response to receiving the secondary manufacturing request information. Information indicating the determined manufacturing process of the orthosis (manufacturing process information) may include information specifying the manufacturing facility FC that will manufacture the corresponding orthosis (facility designation information). The manufacturing management device 300 may select, from among the manufacturing facilities FC, a manufacturing facility FC that can manufacture the target orthosis and that can deliver the product within the delivery date indicated in the primary orthosis manufacturing request information, and may include facility designation information indicating the selected manufacturing facility FC in the manufacturing process information.

[0026] The manufacturing process information may also include a quality confirmation process. The quality confirmation process is a process for confirming quality. The quality confirmation process may include a process for confirming the shape of the manufactured orthosis, a process for confirming the operating state and processing results of the orthosis manufacturing device 500 during the process of manufacturing the orthosis using the orthosis manufacturing device 500, a process for confirming the assembly results, etc.

[0027] The manufacturing process information may also include a transportation process for the prosthetic device. The transportation process may include, as necessary, information instructing transportation between manufacturing facilities FC, information instructing transportation from the manufacturing facilities FC to the destination of the prosthetic device, etc. Furthermore, if the prosthetic device is made up of multiple parts, the manufacturing process information may include information instructing transportation of each of the multiple parts.

[0028] The manufacturing management device 300 performs manufacturing management so that the orthosis is manufactured in accordance with the manufacturing process indicated by the manufacturing process information. In the manufacturing management, the manufacturing management device 300 requests the manufacturing facility FC indicated by the facility designation information included in the manufacturing process information to manufacture the corresponding orthosis. The manufacturing management device 300 may generate third-order manufacturing request information for manufacturing an orthosis and transmit the generated third-order manufacturing request information to the facility terminal 400 of the manufacturing facility FC. The third-order manufacturing request information may be generated based on information included in the corresponding first-order manufacturing request information and second-order manufacturing request information. Specifically, the third-order manufacturing request information may include the ID of the person requesting the manufacturing of the orthosis, the ID of the user of the orthosis, the type of orthosis specified, the delivery date, individual orthosis information, etc. Furthermore, the third-order manufacturing request information may include manufacturing process information corresponding to the target orthosis.

[0029] At the manufacturing facility FC, the facility terminal 400 inputs the individual orthosis information included in the received tertiary manufacturing request information into the orthosis manufacturing device 500. The orthosis manufacturing device 500 manufactures the orthosis using the input individual orthosis information. Input of the tertiary manufacturing request information from the facility terminal 400 to the orthosis manufacturing device 500 may be performed by an operation of a manufacturing staff member involved in manufacturing the orthosis at the facility FC, or may be performed in response to a predetermined trigger, such as when a predetermined time has passed or when the orthosis manufacturing device 500 is ready to manufacture the next orthosis.

[0030] In this embodiment, the orthosis manufacturing apparatus 500 may be an apparatus that uses additive manufacturing technology. Specifically, the orthosis manufacturing apparatus 500 may be a pellet-type 3D printer. By manufacturing prosthetics using the prosthetic manufacturing device 500 as a 3D printer, variations in the quality of prosthetics caused by variations in the skills of prostheticians, for example, can be eliminated, and high-quality prosthetics can be manufactured efficiently and stably. Furthermore, a 3D printer can easily manufacture prosthetics that reflect the color, design, and detailed shape of the user's requests and body type. Furthermore, by using a pellet-type 3D printer, the time required to manufacture prosthetics can be significantly reduced compared to, for example, a filament-type printer, and costs can also be significantly reduced, making it possible to provide prosthetics at low cost with short delivery times.

[0031] After the orthosis is manufactured by the orthosis manufacturing device 500, it may be delivered to another manufacturing facility for a separate process such as an inspection process or polishing or delivered to the customer requesting the manufacture of the orthosis, in accordance with the subsequent manufacturing process indicated by the corresponding manufacturing process information.

[0032] 2 shows an example of the functional configuration of the requester terminal 100. The requester terminal 100 in the figure may be configured to include, as hardware, a central processing unit (CPU), read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), and storage devices such as hard disk drives (HDDs) and solid state drives (SSDs). The requester terminal 100 may also include, as hardware, a graphics processing unit (GPU). The functions of the manufacturing management apparatus 300 shown in the figure are realized by the CPU and GPU provided in the requester terminal 100 executing programs.

[0033] The client terminal 100 in the figure includes a communication unit 101 , an operation unit 102 , a display unit 103 , a control unit 104 , and a storage unit 105 . The communication unit 101 is connected to the manufacturing management device 300 via a network so as to be able to communicate with the device. The operation unit 102 includes an operator or an input device provided in the client terminal 100, or an input device connected to the client terminal 100, and accepts operations performed by a user (a person requesting the manufacture of an orthosis). The display unit 103 displays an image under the control of the control unit 104 . The operation unit 102 and the display unit 103 may be provided with a touch panel that allows operations on the display surface.

[0034] The control unit 104 executes various controls in the client terminal 100. The control unit 104 includes an information acquisition unit 141, a display processing unit 142, and an information changing unit 143. The functions of the display processing unit 142 and the information changing unit 143 may be realized, for example, by executing an orthosis manufacturing request application installed on the client terminal 100.

[0035] The information acquisition unit 141 acquires the three-dimensional shape data output from the 3D scanner 200 as personal shape information indicating the shape of the body part of the corresponding prosthetic device user (patient). The information acquisition unit 141 transmits primary manufacturing request information including the acquired personal shape information to the manufacturing management device 300.

[0036] The display processing unit 142 uses the three-dimensional shape data of the orthosis indicated by the individual orthosis information transmitted from the manufacturing management device 300 to cause the display unit 103 to display a three-dimensional image of the orthosis.

[0037] The information change unit 143 changes the individual device information in response to an operation to change the specifications (dimensions, color, material, etc.) of the device based on the 3D image displayed on the display unit 103. The information change unit 143 transmits secondary manufacturing request information including the changed individual device information to the manufacturing management device 300.

[0038] The storage unit 105 stores various types of information corresponding to the client terminal 100 .

[0039] 3 shows an example of the functional configuration of manufacturing management apparatus 300. Manufacturing management apparatus 300 in the figure may be configured with hardware such as a CPU, ROM, RAM, and storage devices such as HDDs and SSDs. Manufacturing management apparatus 300 may also be configured with a GPU as hardware. The functions of manufacturing management apparatus 300 shown in the figure are realized by the CPU and GPU included in manufacturing management apparatus 300 executing programs.

[0040] The manufacturing management device 300 in the figure includes an input / output interface 301 , a control unit 302 , and a storage unit 303 .

[0041] The input / output interface 301 is a component that inputs and outputs data to and from external devices such as the client terminal 100 and the facility terminal 400. The input / output interface 301 may be configured to input and output data by communication via a network, or may be configured to input and output data via a data interface.

[0042] The control unit 302 executes various controls in the manufacturing management apparatus 300. The control unit 302 includes an information generation unit 321 and a manufacturing instruction unit 322. The functions of the information generation unit 321 and the manufacturing instruction unit 322 may be realized as functions in an orthosis manufacturing request application.

[0043] The information generating unit 321 generates individual orthosis information to be used for manufacturing the orthosis based on the personal shape information included in the primary manufacturing request information transmitted from the client terminal 100.

[0044] The manufacturing instruction unit 322 causes the orthosis manufacturing device 500 to manufacture an orthosis using the individual orthosis information. To this end, the manufacturing instruction unit 322 transmits third-order manufacturing request information including the individual orthosis information to the facility terminal 400 of the manufacturing facility FC. The individual orthosis information included in the third-order manufacturing request information received by the facility terminal 400 is input into the orthosis manufacturing device 500, whereby the orthosis manufacturing device 500 manufactures an orthosis with a three-dimensional shape indicated by the input individual orthosis information.

[0045] The storage unit 303 stores various types of information corresponding to the manufacturing management device 300. The storage unit 303 includes a manufacturing facility information storage unit 331, a standard orthosis information storage unit 332, and a used individual orthosis information storage unit 333.

[0046] The manufacturing facility information storage unit 331 stores manufacturing facility information for each manufacturing facility FC. 4 shows an example of manufacturing facility information corresponding to one manufacturing facility FC and stored in the manufacturing facility information storage unit 331. The manufacturing facility information in the figure includes fields for a facility ID, a facility name, a location, business days, available equipment, worker information, and a manufacturing equipment reservation schedule. The facility ID field stores the facility ID indicating the corresponding manufacturing facility FC. The facility name field stores the name of the corresponding manufacturing facility FC (facility name). The location field stores the location of the corresponding manufacturing facility FC. The business day field stores the business days of the corresponding manufacturing facility FC. The field of compatible equipment stores the types of equipment that can be manufactured at the corresponding manufacturing facility FC. The worker information field stores information (worker information) about a worker working at the corresponding manufacturing facility FC. The worker information corresponding to one worker may include information such as the worker ID, name, and type of equipment that can be handled.

[0047] Returning to the explanation of Fig. 3, the standard equipment information storage unit 332 stores standard equipment information for each equipment type. 5 shows an example of standard orthosis information stored in the standard orthosis information storage unit 332 in association with one orthosis type. The standard orthosis information in the figure includes fields for an orthosis type ID, standard shape data, and specification conditions. The equipment type ID field stores an equipment type ID that indicates the equipment type of the corresponding standard equipment. The standard shape data field stores standard shape data that indicates the three-dimensional shape of the corresponding standard orthosis. The specification conditions field stores the usage conditions that indicate conditions such as clinical engineering performance that are defined for the specifications of the corresponding prosthetic device.

[0048] Returning to the explanation of Fig. 3, the used individual appliance information storage unit 333 stores information on the individual appliances used in the manufacture of appliances up to now. 6 shows an example of individual orthosis information corresponding to one orthosis stored in the used individual orthosis information storage unit 333. The individual orthosis information in the figure includes fields for the orthosis user ID, the manufacturing date, and the individual orthosis information. The field for the orthosis user ID stores an orthosis user ID that indicates a user who uses an orthosis manufactured using the corresponding individual orthosis information. The orthosis user ID may be, for example, an insurer number. The manufacturing date field stores the date on which the appliance was manufactured using the corresponding individual appliance information (manufacturing date). The field for individual appliance information stores information about the individual appliance used in manufacturing the corresponding appliance.

[0049] An example of a processing procedure executed by the orthosis manufacturing system of this embodiment in relation to the manufacture of an orthosis will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG.

[0050] Prior to the manufacture of the orthosis for the user in step S100:1, the patient as the orthosis user is diagnosed by a doctor at a medical institution. If the doctor determines that the orthosis is necessary for the patient's treatment and rehabilitation, he or she will prescribe the orthosis. In response to the prescription of the prosthesis, the prosthetist scans at least the body part of the patient who will be wearing the prosthesis using the 3D scanner 200. The scan using the 3D scanner 200 generates three-dimensional shape data of the body part of the prosthesis user.

[0051] Step S102: In the client terminal 100, the information acquisition unit 141 acquires the three-dimensional shape data generated by the 3D scanner 200 in step S100. The information acquisition unit 141 treats the thus acquired three-dimensional shape data as personal shape information. The information acquisition unit 141 may store the acquired personal shape information in the storage unit 105.

[0052] Step S104: The information acquisition unit 141 in the client terminal 100 generates primary manufacturing request information. The primary manufacturing request information includes the personal shape information acquired in step S102. The primary manufacturing request information may also include information about the prosthetist orthotist as the client corresponding to the client terminal 100, and information about the prosthetist orthotist corresponding to the three-dimensional shape data acquired in step S102. The information acquisition unit 141 transmits the generated primary manufacturing request information to the manufacturing management device 300.

[0053] The process of step S104 may be executed each time three-dimensional shape data is acquired in step S102, or may be executed in response to the occurrence of a predetermined trigger, corresponding to one or more three-dimensional shape data stored in storage unit 105. In this case, the predetermined trigger may be, for example, an operation by a user (prosthetic device manufacturing client: prosthetist) to send primary manufacturing request information, or may be when a predetermined time has come.

[0054] Step S106: In the manufacturing management device 300, the information generating unit 321 generates individual orthosis information using the personal shape information included in the primary manufacturing client information transmitted in step S104. Specifically, the information generating unit 321 identifies the type of orthosis to be manufactured that is specified in the primary manufacturing client information. The information generating unit 321 acquires standard orthosis information associated with the identified orthosis type from the standard orthosis information storage unit 332. The information generating unit 321 may generate individual orthosis shape data that indicates the shape of the orthosis of the corresponding orthosis user by modifying the standard shape data included in the acquired standard orthosis information based on the shape indicated by the personal shape information. At this time, the information generating unit 321 may generate the individual orthosis shape data so that gaps, fixing portions, etc. are formed in accordance with the specification conditions included in the acquired standard orthosis information. Furthermore, the information generating unit 321 may generate the individual orthosis shape data so that the shape reflects the requests of the orthosis user indicated by the request information in the primary manufacturing client information. In this case, for example, if the request information indicates requests for light weight, breathability, etc., the information generating unit 321 may generate the individual orthosis shape data by providing holes in the orthosis or adjusting the thickness of the orthosis to achieve light weight and breathability. Furthermore, at this time, the number and size of the holes, the thickness of the orthosis, etc. may be set within a range that satisfies the clinical engineering performance indicated by the standard orthosis information for the corresponding orthosis type. The information generating unit 321 generates individual orthosis information including the individual orthosis shape data generated as described above. The individual orthosis information may also include information on the specifications of the orthosis, such as color, transparency, material, etc., in the request information included in the primary production request information received in step S104.

[0055] Step S108: The information generating unit 321 transmits a confirmation request to the requester terminal 100 that transmitted the primary manufacturing request information, requesting confirmation of the content of the individual device information generated in step S106. The confirmation request includes the individual device information generated in step S106.

[0056] Step S110: In the client terminal 100, the display processing unit 142 displays an individual device information screen that reflects the content of the individual device information included in the confirmation request transmitted in step S108. The display processing unit 142 may generate an object of the orthosis with a three-dimensional shape by rendering using the individual orthosis shape data in the individual orthosis information included in the confirmation request. Furthermore, the display processing unit 142 may render the orthosis as a 3D object so as to reflect the color, texture, and the like indicated in the request information. The display processing unit 142 may display the 3D object of the orthosis rendered as described above in the individual orthosis information by arranging it in three-dimensional space. The viewpoint of the 3D object of the orthosis arranged in this manner may be freely changeable in response to an operation. The display processing unit 142 may also display the dimensions of each part of the orthosis indicated by the individual orthosis shape data in a predetermined format on the individual orthosis information screen. The display processing unit 142 may also display information indicating the prescription details of the orthosis for the orthosis user on the individual orthosis information screen. The prescription details information may be provided by the doctor when the doctor requests an orthosis prescription, and may be stored in the client terminal 100.

[0057] Step S112: The person requesting manufacture of an orthosis can change the individual orthosis information by operating the individual orthosis information screen. Specifically, the person requesting manufacture of an orthosis can change the individual orthosis shape data in the individual orthosis information by specifying the part of the orthosis to be changed in the 3D object of the orthosis placed on the individual orthosis information screen and performing an operation to change the shape. In other words, the person requesting manufacture of an orthosis can confirm the shape of the 3D object of the orthosis and make slight modifications to the shape according to the body shape and wishes of the orthosis user. Such changes to the shape of the orthosis may be possible not only by changing the shape of the 3D object of the orthosis, but also by changing the numerical values ​​indicating the dimensions of the orthosis. The person requesting manufacture of an orthosis may also be able to change the color or texture of the orthosis, for example. The 3D object of the orthosis may reflect the changed shape, color, texture, etc. In this manner, in this embodiment, the person requesting the manufacture of the orthosis can modify and change the individual orthosis information generated by the manufacturing management device 300. By making it possible to generate and modify individual orthosis information in this manner, it is possible to improve the function and quality of the orthosis by utilizing the experience and skills of the person requesting the manufacture of the orthosis, who is, for example, a prosthetist, or to create an orthosis that accurately reflects the requests and circumstances of the orthosis user. The information change unit 143 of the client terminal 100 accepts an operation to change the individual device information as described above.

[0058] Step S114: The information change unit 143 changes the individual device information in accordance with the operation received in step S112.

[0059] Step S116: The information change unit 143 generates secondary manufacturing request information including the individual device information changed in step S114, and transmits the generated secondary request information to the manufacturing management device 300.

[0060] The procedures shown as steps S108 to S116 may be omitted depending on the operation of the prosthetic device manufacturing.

[0061] Step S118: In the manufacturing management device 300, the manufacturing instruction unit 322 determines a manufacturing process for the orthosis corresponding to the secondary manufacturing request information transmitted in step S116. The determination of the manufacturing process includes the selection of a manufacturing facility FC that will manufacture the target orthosis. When selecting a manufacturing facility FC, the manufacturing instruction unit 322 refers to the manufacturing facility information stored in the manufacturing facility information storage unit 331. Specifically, the manufacturing instruction unit 322 first identifies manufacturing facilities FC that can manufacture the orthosis of the type to be manufactured by referring to the information on compatible orthosis ( FIG. 4 ) in the manufacturing facility information stored in the manufacturing facility information storage unit 331. The manufacturing instruction unit 322 may further identify manufacturing facilities FC that are within a distance range from the address of the person requesting manufacturing of the orthosis by referring to the address ( FIG. 4 ) in the manufacturing facility information. The manufacturing instruction unit 322 may further identify manufacturing facilities FC that can manufacture the orthosis by the delivery date, for example, by referring to the business days and orthosis manufacturing reservation schedule ( FIG. 4 ) of the identified manufacturing facilities FC. The manufacturing instruction unit 322 may select one of the manufacturing facilities FC identified in this way as the manufacturing facility FC that will manufacture the target orthosis.

[0062] Step S120: The manufacturing instruction unit 322 generates third-order manufacturing request information that includes the individual device information included in the second-order manufacturing request information sent in step S116 and the manufacturing process determined in step S118. The third-order manufacturing request information may further include a delivery date, information about the person requesting the manufacturing of the device, etc. The manufacturing instruction unit 322 transmits the generated third-order manufacturing request information to the facility terminal 400 of the selected manufacturing facility FC.

[0063] Step S122: Upon receiving the tertiary manufacturing request information transmitted in step S120, the facility terminal 400 acquires individual device information from the received tertiary manufacturing request information. At the manufacturing facility FC, for example, a worker plans a schedule to manufacture the device by the delivery date indicated by the acquired individual device information. The worker also prepares materials such as resin pellets according to the material, color, etc. of the device indicated by the acquired individual device information. For example, in response to an operation by a worker, the facility terminal 400 inputs the individual orthosis shape data included in the acquired individual orthosis information to an orthosis manufacturing device 500 provided in the same manufacturing facility FC.

[0064] Step S124: The orthosis manufacturing device 500 manufactures an orthosis having the shape indicated by the individual orthosis shape data input in step S122.

[0065] Although subsequent steps are not illustrated, the manufactured orthosis may be subjected to, for example, inspection, transport for other processes at another manufacturing facility FC, or transport to the person requesting the manufacture of the orthosis, according to the manufacturing process determined in step S118.

[0066] The manufacturing management device 300 may have a web server function that provides a website (orthosis manufacturing request website) corresponding to services related to orthosis manufacturing requests. In this case, the requester terminal 100 can access the orthosis manufacturing request website using a web browser to upload primary manufacturing request information from the requester terminal 100 to the manufacturing management device 300 (step S104), display an individual orthosis information screen corresponding to the individual orthosis information generated by the manufacturing management device 300, and change the individual orthosis information in response to operations on the individual orthosis information screen (steps S110 to S114). In this case, the functions of the display processing unit 142 and the information changing unit 143 may be performed by the manufacturing management device 300. In this case, the display processing unit 142 generates a web page corresponding to the individual orthosis information screen and displays the individual orthosis information screen on the web browser of the requester terminal 100. In addition, the information changing unit 143 in this case accepts operations on the individual orthosis information screen displayed on the web browser and changes the individual orthosis information.

[0067] Depending on the operation, the manufacturing management device 300 may acquire personal shape information as three-dimensional shape data of the device user obtained by the 3D scanner 200 without going through the client terminal 100.

[0068] In addition, the manufacturing management device 300 may be distributed among multiple devices or multiple servers, each of which is assigned a specific function, and the functions of the manufacturing management device 300 may be realized by the multiple devices and multiple servers working together.

[0069] Note that programs for implementing the functions of the client terminal 100, 3D scanner 200, manufacturing management device 300, facility terminal 400, and orthosis manufacturing device 500 may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the programs may be loaded into a computer system and executed to perform the functions of the client terminal 100, 3D scanner 200, manufacturing management device 300, facility terminal 400, and orthosis manufacturing device 500. Here, "loading a program recorded on a recording medium into a computer system and executing it" includes installing the program on a computer system. The term "computer system" here includes hardware such as an operating system and peripheral devices. The term "computer system" may also include multiple computers connected via a network, including the Internet, a wide area network (WAN), a local area network (LAN), a dedicated line, and other communication lines. The term "computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as a flexible disk, optical magnetic disk, ROM, or CD-ROM, as well as storage devices such as a hard disk built into a computer system. In this case, the recording medium storing the program may also be a non-transitory recording medium such as a CD-ROM. The term "recording medium" also includes internal or external recording media accessible from a distribution server for distributing the program. The program code stored on the distribution server's recording medium may be different from the program code in a format executable by a terminal device. In other words, the format in which the program is stored on the distribution server is not important as long as it can be downloaded from the distribution server and installed in a format executable by a terminal device. The program may be divided into multiple parts, downloaded at different times, and then combined on a terminal device, or each of the divided programs may be distributed by a different distribution server. Furthermore, the term "computer-readable recording medium" also includes a medium that stores a program for a certain period of time, such as volatile memory (RAM) within a computer system that serves as a server or client when a program is transmitted over a network. The program may also be for implementing part of the functions described above.Furthermore, the above-mentioned functions may be realized in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system, that is, a so-called differential file (differential program).

[0070] <Additional Notes> (1) One aspect of this embodiment is an orthosis manufacturing system that includes an information acquisition unit (141) that acquires personal shape information indicating the shape of the part of the body of the orthosis user where the orthosis is to be worn, an information generation unit (321) that generates individual orthosis information indicating the shape of the orthosis to be used by the orthosis user based on the personal shape information, and a manufacturing instruction unit (322) that causes an orthosis manufacturing device (500) using a pellet-type 3D printer that manufactures an orthosis in response to input of orthosis shape information indicating the shape of the orthosis to manufacture the orthosis using the individual orthosis information.

[0071] (2) One aspect of the present embodiment is the prosthesis manufacturing system described in (1), wherein the personal shape information may be three-dimensional scan data of the prosthesis-wearing portion of the body of the prosthesis user.

[0072] (3) One aspect of this embodiment is the orthosis manufacturing system described in (1) or (2), in which the information generation unit may generate individual orthosis information by modifying standard orthosis information that indicates the shape of an orthosis defined as a standard based on the personal shape information.

[0073] (4) One aspect of this embodiment is an orthosis manufacturing system described in any one of (1) to (3), wherein the manufacturing instruction unit refers to facility information for each of a plurality of facilities each equipped with an orthosis manufacturing device, selects a facility (manufacturing facility FC) suitable for manufacturing an orthosis corresponding to the individual orthosis information generated by the information generation unit, and inputs the individual orthosis information to the orthosis manufacturing device equipped in the selected facility.

[0074] (5) One aspect of this embodiment is an orthosis manufacturing system described in any one of (1) to (4), wherein the information generation unit may generate the individual orthosis information that satisfies predetermined specification conditions specified for the orthosis to be manufactured.

[0075] (6) One aspect of this embodiment is the orthosis manufacturing system described in (5), wherein the specification condition is that a decompression portion of the orthosis that does not compress a specified body part has a specified gap from the specified body part, and the information generation unit may generate the individual orthosis information so that the decompression portion of the orthosis to be manufactured has a specified gap from the specified body part.

[0076] (7) One aspect of this embodiment is the orthosis manufacturing system described in (5) or (6), wherein the specification condition is that the manufactured orthosis has a body fixing part for fixing a specified body part, and the information generation unit may generate the individual orthosis information so that the strength of the body fixing part in the manufactured orthosis is increased compared to other parts.

[0077] (8) One aspect of this embodiment is an orthosis manufacturing system described in any one of (1) to (7), which may further include an information change unit that changes the individual orthosis information in response to an operation that changes the shape of the orthosis indicated by the generated individual orthosis information so as to reflect the changed shape.

[0078] (9) One aspect of this embodiment is the orthosis manufacturing system described in (8), wherein the information change unit may perform an operation to change the shape of the orthosis within an allowable range determined according to predetermined specification conditions specified for the orthosis.

[0079] (10) One aspect of this embodiment is an orthosis manufacturing system according to any one of (1) to (9), which may further include a display processing unit that reproduces and displays in three dimensions the orthosis manufactured based on the individual orthosis information generated by the information generation unit.

[0080] (11) One aspect of this embodiment is an orthosis manufacturing method in an orthosis manufacturing system, the method including: an information acquisition step in which an information acquisition unit acquires personal shape information indicating the shape of the part of the body of the orthosis user where the orthosis is to be worn; an information generation step in which an information generation unit generates individual orthosis information indicating the shape of the orthosis to be used by the orthosis user based on the personal shape information; and a manufacturing instruction step in which a manufacturing instruction unit causes an orthosis manufacturing device using a pellet-type 3D printer that manufactures the orthosis in response to input of the orthosis shape information indicating the shape of the orthosis to manufacture the orthosis using the individual orthosis information.

[0081] (12) One aspect of this embodiment is a program that causes a computer in an orthosis manufacturing system to function as an information acquisition unit that acquires personal shape information indicating the shape of the part of the body of the orthosis user where the orthosis is to be worn, an information generation unit that generates individual orthosis information indicating the shape of the orthosis to be used by the orthosis user based on the personal shape information, and a manufacturing instruction unit that causes an orthosis manufacturing device using a pellet-type 3D printer that manufactures an orthosis in response to input of orthosis shape information indicating the shape of the orthosis to manufacture the orthosis using the individual orthosis information. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 100 client terminal, 101 communication unit, 102 operation unit, 103 display unit, 104 control unit, 105 memory unit, 141 information acquisition unit, 142 display processing unit, 143 information change unit, 200 3D scanner, 300 manufacturing management device, 301 input / output interface, 302 control unit, 303 memory unit, 321 information generation unit, 322 manufacturing instruction unit, 331 manufacturing facility information memory unit, 332 standard orthosis information memory unit, 333 individual orthosis information memory unit used, 400 facility terminal, 500 orthosis manufacturing device

Claims

1. an information acquisition unit that acquires personal shape information indicating the shape of the part of the body of the prosthesis user where the prosthesis is attached; a standard orthosis information storage unit that stores standard orthosis information indicating a shape of an orthosis that has been predetermined as a standard; an information generation unit that generates individual orthosis information by modifying the standard orthosis information based on the personal shape information; a manufacturing instruction unit that causes a pellet-type 3D printer-based orthosis manufacturing device that manufactures an orthosis in response to input of orthosis shape information indicating the shape of the orthosis to manufacture the orthosis using the individual orthosis information; An orthosis manufacturing system comprising:

2. an information change unit that changes the individual orthosis information in response to an operation to change the shape of the orthosis indicated by the generated individual orthosis information so that the shape changed by the operation is reflected; The information change unit allows an operation to change the shape of the appliance to be performed within an allowable range determined according to predetermined specification conditions designated for the appliance. The orthosis manufacturing system of claim 1 .

3. The personal shape information is three-dimensional scan data of the part of the body of the user where the prosthesis is worn. The orthosis manufacturing system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the standard orthosis information includes conditions defined for the specifications of the corresponding orthosis and includes specification conditions based on at least predetermined clinical engineering performance; The information generating unit generates the individual orthosis information so that a gap or a fixing portion is formed in accordance with the specification conditions included in the standard orthosis information. The orthosis manufacturing system according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The manufacturing instruction unit selects a facility suitable for manufacturing the orthosis corresponding to the individual orthosis information generated by the information generation unit by referring to facility information for each of a plurality of facilities each equipped with an orthosis manufacturing device, and inputs the individual orthosis information to the orthosis manufacturing device provided in the selected facility. The orthosis manufacturing system according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The information generating unit generates the individual orthosis information that satisfies predetermined specification conditions designated for the orthosis to be manufactured. The orthosis manufacturing system according to claim 1 or 2.

7. The specification condition is that a decompression portion of the brace that does not compress a predetermined body part has a predetermined gap with respect to the predetermined body part, The information generating unit generates the individual orthosis information so that the decompression portion in the orthosis to be manufactured has a predetermined gap with respect to the predetermined body portion. The orthosis manufacturing system of claim 6 .

8. The specification condition is that the manufactured orthosis must have a body fixing portion for fixing a predetermined body portion, The information generating unit generates the individual orthosis information so that the strength of the body fixing portion in the orthosis to be manufactured is increased more than that of other portions. The orthosis manufacturing system of claim 6 .

9. a display processing unit that displays a three-dimensional representation of an orthosis manufactured based on the individual orthosis information generated by the information generating unit; The orthosis manufacturing system according to claim 1 or 2.

10. 1. An orthosis manufacturing method in an orthosis manufacturing system, comprising: an information acquisition step in which an information acquisition unit acquires personal shape information indicating the shape of the part of the body of the prosthesis user where the prosthesis is attached; a storage step in which a standard orthosis information storage unit stores standard orthosis information indicating a shape of an orthosis predetermined as a standard; an information generating step in which an information generating unit generates individual orthosis information by changing the standard orthosis information based on the personal shape information; a manufacturing instruction step in which the manufacturing instruction unit causes an orthosis manufacturing device using a pellet-type 3D printer that manufactures an orthosis in accordance with input of orthosis shape information indicating the shape of the orthosis to manufacture the orthosis using the individual orthosis information; An orthosis manufacturing method comprising:

11. A computer in an orthotic manufacturing system, an information acquisition unit that acquires personal shape information indicating the shape of the part of the body of the prosthesis user where the prosthesis is attached; a standard orthosis information storage unit that stores standard orthosis information indicating the shape of a predetermined standard orthosis; an information generating unit that generates individual orthosis information indicating a shape of an orthosis to be used by the orthosis user based on the personal shape information by modifying the standard orthosis information based on the personal shape information; A manufacturing instruction unit that causes a pellet-type 3D printer-based orthosis manufacturing device that manufactures an orthosis in response to input of orthosis shape information indicating the shape of the orthosis to manufacture the orthosis using the individual orthosis information. A program to function as a

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