SYSTEM FOR THE GENERATION OF COMFORTABLE ORTHOSES FOR THE TREATMENT OF TEMPORARY IMMOBILIZATION

Abstract

The present invention focuses on the field of mechatronics, and more specifically on orthopedics. It is a body part digitization system designed to generate three-dimensional models for the subsequent manufacture of splints using additive manufacturing techniques. The system consists of a digitizing sensor, which, together with a counterweight, rotates around the body part to be digitized, obtaining a morphology faithful to the scanned body part. The inventive aspect of this system lies in the fact that with only one degree of freedom of the digitizing system, a sufficiently accurate capture of the body part is achieved with the aid of a counterweight. Furthermore, it allows for the creation of a fully customized splint that improves the quality of life of the wearer during immobilization treatment by permitting activities such as washing and / or wetting the affected area, as well as the application of topical products.

Description

SYSTEM FOR THE GENERATION OF COMFORTABLE ORTHOSES FOR THE TREATMENT OF TEMPORARY IMMOBILIZATION OBJECT OF THE INVENTION The present invention falls within the field of mechatronics, specifically mechatronic devices for health focused on orthoses used for immobilization treatment. BACKGROUND An orthosis is defined as a device that provides external support to the body in order to modify the neuromusculoskeletal structure. This development focuses on creating a mechatronic device capable of generating a universal file for the manufacture of a comfortable orthosis designed to stabilize, correct, and protect a body part without the disadvantages of causing muscle loss, while simultaneously facilitating activities for the patient such as applying skin moisturizers, bathing daily, and even relieving itching. The documents found in the state of the art closest to this development are described below. US Patent No. 10029394 B2 describes a device and method for creating a custom splint for use as an immobilization system. The method involves identifying a region of interest on a limb around which the splint will be placed, positioning markers around the region of interest on the limb, and scanning the region of interest. It requires a 3D scanner, a light filter, supports, a display, and a control system. It is emphasized that this system requires the use of markers during the scanning process. Electrodes and a device for monitoring treatment therapy may be included. Patent EP 3267952 Al, refers to a method for producing an orthopedic device to fix the position of a broken bone in a limb, the method requires capturing an image of the limb in 2 / 8 question, and produce the orthotic device from a 3D print that corresponds to the image of the limb and that is designed to securely enclose the broken limb. It is highlighted in this case that the system is based on taking photographs. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a device that allows the generation of a virtual model of the human body or a part thereof, for the purpose of obtaining a digital orthosis for subsequent manufacture using additive manufacturing techniques. The system consists of an electromechanical device that digitizes the human body or a section thereof. Data processing is then performed to configure the desired geometry of the orthosis, and finally, a universal file compatible with 3D printing machines is created, enabling the production of a customized orthosis using polymers.The digitization system consists of a digitizing sensor (6) that rotates around the scanned body part. This sensor is balanced using a counterweight (3). These elements are coupled by means of a plurality of rigid elements (5) and are in turn directed by an actuator (4) controlled by a series of electronic elements contained in a storage box (2). All the elements rest on a base (1), and the body part to be digitized rests on a support base (10) and can be held by a handle (8). These elements are structured with a plurality of elements (9) and are coupled to the system by means of an auxiliary piece (7).The mechatronic device establishes connectivity with an algorithm housed in an external processor (11) that receives data in a file format that defines the geometry of the scanned body part in three dimensions. Connectivity filtering is then performed, which consists of removing unwanted elements from the scanned object. Subsequently, the scanned object is filtered to smooth the surface and reduce the orthosis printing time. As a final step, the surfaces on which the support orthosis is to be manufactured are defined. 3 / 8 on these surfaces a three-dimensional body is generated that has solid areas and areas with openings to allow the skin to be in contact with the external environment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Fig. 1 Isometric view. It shows the digitizing system along with the software hosted on a PC to receive the digitized body part. Fig. 2 Isometric view. Shows the detailed exploded view of the digitizing system. Fig. 3 Top view and front view of the rest for placing the body part to be scanned. Fig. 4 Top and front view of the piece to stabilize the body part to be scanned. Fig. 5 Isometric view of the piece that acts as a counterweight and serves as a structure for the scanner sensor. Fig. 6 Top view and front view of the coupling piece between the body part to be scanned and the scanner machine. Fig. 7 Flowchart of the operation of the mechatronic device. Fig. 8 Flowchart of the orthosis file generation. ινΐΛ / a / zuzz / uuo i ou 4 / 8 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The system presented here is designed to scan a body part and generate a three-dimensional model. The objective is to create a splint manufactured using additive manufacturing methods. It consists of several elements that together form the structure: a base (1), a storage element (2) for cables and control components, and a counterweight (3) that, when rotated in conjunction with the digitization sensor (6), stabilizes the movement and minimizes the effort required by the actuator (4) that drives the movement. All of these components are coupled by a rigid structure (5). The system includes a support mechanism for the body part to be scanned. This component comprises three base pieces: the coupling piece (7), the handle piece (8), and the support piece (10). These are joined by several elements that pass through all three pieces (9).The piece that functions as a handle (8) has a shape such that, if possible for the patient, the body can surround it to provide stability during the scanning process. The system works as follows: the body part to be scanned must be positioned so that the field of view of the digitizing sensor (6) coincides with the area to be scanned. The algorithm (11) is then initialized to display the body part on the system and initiate the digitization process. Once the body part is correctly positioned, the arm scanner activates the actuator (4), simultaneously rotating the digitizing sensor (6) with the counterweight, thus obtaining the digitization. As soon as the sensor has captured enough images to generate the digitized file of the body part, the actuator returns it to its original position. Once the system has digitized the body part, a three-dimensional object representation file is generated, and the filtering process begins.The first filter used is the connectivity filter, which eliminates unwanted elements around the area of ​​the body being scanned. Then... 5 / 8 performs a smoothing filter. This means that the scanned 3D object may have protrusions that, when copied onto the orthosis surface, are not representative for customization but hinder the printing process. Once the 3D object is filtered, two points are selected between which the solid part of the orthosis will be generated. This process uses the scanned body part as a base and gives it thickness, since up to this point it only represented a surface. The orthosis can be generated in different ways: solid, to provide rigidity to the areas that need support and complete immobilization; or it can have patterns that allow the patient to apply moisturizers, ointments, wash, clean, and even scratch the desired area. It can also be a combination of both, featuring solid areas interspersed with areas without material.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A system comprising a base (1) and a storage element (2) for housing cables and control elements, a counterweight (3), a digitization sensor (6), and an actuator (4) that drives the coupled movement by means of a rigid structure (5), and a base that allows the body part to be scanned to rest, comprising a coupling piece (7), a handle (8), and a piece that has the support function (10), all joined by a plurality of elements (9) that has the purpose of scanning a body part and generating a three-dimensional model through an algorithm housed in an external device (11) that prepares the object to be printed by means of a connectivity filter and smoothing, and in turn, said algorithm allows a selection of the area to generate the solid orthosis and / or with hollow surfaces.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the coupling piece (7) and the handle (8) and the piece having the support function (10) and the plurality of joining elements (9) are represented by a single piece.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the digitizing sensor (6) is fixed.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the digitizing sensor (6) has more than one degree of freedom.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the digitizing sensor (6) communicates wirelessly to the computer program (11).

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the digitizing sensor (6) is wired to the computer program (11) that digitizes the body part.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the function of the counterweight (3) is replaced by a vibration absorber implemented in software.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the orthosis generation algorithm is housed within the same mechatronic device. ινΐΛ / a / zuzz / uuo i ou 7 / 8 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the algorithm does not use smoothing filtering.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the algorithm does not use connectivity filtering.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the algorithm generates the orthosis for all scanned sections without removing any part.

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