Orthosis production system, orthosis production method, and program

Abstract

Provided is an orthosis production system comprising: an information acquisition unit that acquires individual shape information indicating the shape of a body site of an orthosis user to which an orthosis is attached; an information generation unit (321) that generates, on the basis of the individual shape information, individual orthosis information indicating the shape of the orthosis to be used by the orthosis user; and a production instruction unit (322) that causes an orthosis production device, employing a pellet-based 3D printer which produces an orthosis according to an input of orthosis shape information indicating the shape of the orthosis, to produce the orthosis using the individual orthosis information.

Description

Orthosis Manufacturing System, Orthosis Manufacturing Method, and Program

[0001] The present invention relates to an orthosis manufacturing system, an orthosis manufacturing method, and a program. This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-161191 filed in Japan on September 18, 2024, and incorporates its content herein by reference.

[0002] There is known a technique of constructing a three-dimensional model of a subject's torso from CT or MRI image data, designing a torso orthosis based on the three-dimensional model, and manufacturing the torso orthosis by a 3D printer based on the design (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2022-179210

[0004] As an orthosis, it is required to be as high-quality as possible and manufactured efficiently.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to enable efficient manufacture of high-quality orthoses in consideration of the above problems.

[0006] One aspect of the present invention that solves the above problems is an orthosis manufacturing system including an information acquisition unit that acquires personal shape information indicating the shape of an orthosis wearing site on the body of an orthosis user, an information generation unit that generates individual orthosis information indicating the shape of the orthosis used by the orthosis user based on the personal shape information, and a manufacturing instruction unit that causes a pellet-based 3D printer for manufacturing an orthosis to manufacture the orthosis using the individual orthosis information in response to an input of orthosis shape information indicating the shape of the orthosis.

[0007] One aspect of the present invention is an orthosis manufacturing method in an orthosis manufacturing system, including an information acquisition step in which an information acquisition unit acquires personal shape information indicating the shape of an orthosis wearing site on the body of an orthosis user, an information generation step in which an information generation unit generates individual orthosis information indicating the shape of the orthosis used by the orthosis user based on the personal shape information, and a manufacturing instruction step in which a manufacturing instruction unit causes a pellet-based 3D printer for manufacturing an orthosis to manufacture the orthosis using the individual orthosis information in response to an input of orthosis shape information indicating the shape of the orthosis.

[0008] One aspect of the present invention is a program that causes a computer in an orthotic device manufacturing system to function as an information acquisition unit that acquires personal shape information indicating the shape of the orthotic device attachment site on the orthotic device user's body; an information generation unit that generates individual orthotic device information indicating the shape of the orthotic device used by the orthotic device user based on the personal shape information; and a manufacturing instruction unit that causes an orthotic device manufacturing apparatus using a pellet-type 3D printer, which manufactures orthotic devices in response to the input of orthotic device shape information indicating the shape of the orthotic device, to manufacture an orthotic device using the individual orthotic device information.

[0009] According to the present invention, the effect is obtained that high-quality orthotic devices can be manufactured efficiently.

[0010] This figure shows an example of the overall configuration of the orthotic device manufacturing system in this embodiment. This figure shows an example of the functional configuration of the client terminal in this embodiment. This figure shows an example of the functional configuration of the manufacturing management device in this embodiment. This figure shows an example of manufacturing facility information in this embodiment. This figure shows an example of standard orthotic device information in this embodiment. This figure shows an example of individual orthotic device information in this embodiment. This figure shows an example of processing procedures performed by the orthotic device manufacturing system in this embodiment in relation to the manufacturing of orthotic devices.

[0011] Figure 1 shows an example of the overall configuration of the orthotic device manufacturing system of this embodiment. The orthotic device manufacturing system in the figure is a system that corresponds to the manufacture of orthotic devices. The orthotic devices here may be used for treatment or rehabilitation after the symptoms have stabilized. Specifically, such orthotic devices include upper limb orthotics, lower limb orthotics, trunk orthotics, and shoe-type orthotics. Upper limb orthotics include shoulder orthotics, elbow orthotics, long opposterior orthotics, short opposterior orthotics, gripping orthotics, dorsiflexion orthotics, MP extension and flexion orthotics, and finger orthotics. Lower limb orthotics include hip orthotics, long leg orthotics, short leg orthotics, knee orthotics, plantar orthotics, twisters, congenital hip dislocation orthotics, and insoles. Trunk orthotics include cervical orthotics, thoracic orthotics, lumbar orthotics, sacroiliac orthotics, and scoliosis correction orthotics. Shoe-type orthotics include low boots, chukka boots, mid-calf boots, and boots. In this embodiment, the term "orthotic device" may be interpreted to include not only the various orthotic devices as finished products exemplified above, but also the components (orthotic device components) that make up these various orthotic devices as finished products.

[0012] In Figure 1, the client terminal 100 is a terminal owned by each client who requests the manufacture of orthotic devices. The client may be, for example, a prosthetist or orthotist. The client terminal 100 may be, for example, a personal computer, a tablet, or a smartphone. In addition, each client who requests the manufacture of orthotic devices also owns a 3D scanner 200. The client who requests the manufacture of orthotic devices has the 3D scanner 200 scan the body shape of the orthotic user, who is a patient undergoing treatment or rehabilitation using the orthotic device. The 3D scanner 200 may be, for example, a standalone dedicated device, an external scanner attached to a tablet or smartphone (e.g., an infrared sensor, a stereo camera unit), or a software-based method that estimates and generates 3D shapes using the camera function built into these terminals (so-called photogrammetry, etc.), or a method that directly measures 3D shapes using a depth sensor (e.g., a ToF sensor, LiDAR), etc. Furthermore, scanners can take on a variety of forms, including desktop, handheld, stationary, or attachment types that are mounted on tablet devices or smartphones, or types that utilize sensors built into these devices.

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

[0014] The client terminal 100 generates primary orthotic device manufacturing request information, including the input 3D shape data. The primary orthotic device manufacturing request information may include information indicating the corresponding orthotic device manufacturing requester (orthotic device manufacturing requester ID), information indicating the corresponding orthotic device user (orthotic device user ID), information indicating the type of orthotic device (orthotic device type specification information), delivery date, etc. Furthermore, the primary orthotic device manufacturing request information may include request information (an example of specification conditions) that reflects the orthotic device user's wishes. The request information may include breathability, weight reduction, color, transparency, material, font, texture, etc. Such request information may be obtained by the orthotic device manufacturing requester inputting the requests received from the orthotic device user into the client terminal 100. Furthermore, the primary orthotic device manufacturing request information may also include physical attribute information that describes predetermined attributes, such as the physical characteristics of the orthotic device user. Physical attribute information may include, for example, the user's gender, age, height, weight, sitting height, head circumference, chest circumference, waist circumference, kyphosis, lumbar lordosis, decompression sites, medical history, and surgical history. Kyphosis refers to the degree of curvature of the spine, lumbar lordosis refers to the degree of curvature of the lumbar spine, and decompression sites are areas where the pressure applied by the orthosis is reduced.

[0015] The client terminal 100 and the manufacturing management device 300 are connected, for example, via a network to enable communication. The client terminal 100 transmits the generated primary orthotic device manufacturing request information to the manufacturing management device 300.

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

[0017] The manufacturing management device 300 generates information (individual orthotic device information) indicating the specifications of an orthotic device that is likely to fit the corresponding orthotic device user, based on the received primary orthotic device request information. The individual orthotic device information includes the individual orthotic device shape, which reflects the three-dimensional shape data (personal shape information) contained in the received primary orthotic device request information.

[0018] The manufacturing control device 300 stores standard orthotic device information, for example, which shows the standardized specifications of orthotic devices for each type of orthotic device. The specifications of the orthotic device shown in the standard orthotic device information may include, for example, the standardized shape (standard orthotic device shape) for the corresponding orthotic device, and the clinical engineering performance (an example of specification conditions) defined for the corresponding orthotic device.

[0019] Specifically, clinical engineering performance may include the provision of a pressure-relieving area in the corresponding orthosis that does not compress a specified body part, and that has a predetermined gap between the pressure-relieving area and the body part. Furthermore, clinical engineering performance may include the provision of a body fixation area in the corresponding orthosis for fixing (including fixing in a corrective state) a specified body part. The personal shape information in the individual orthosis information may be generated such that the body fixation area of ​​the manufactured orthosis has increased strength compared to other areas, for example, by increasing its thickness.

[0020] The manufacturing management device 300 acquires the three-dimensional shape data included in the received primary orthotic request information as personal shape information indicating the shape of the individual as the corresponding orthotic user. The manufacturing management device 300 may generate individual orthotic shapes by modifying the standard orthotic shape information indicated in the standard orthotic information for the corresponding orthotic type based on the personal shape information. Furthermore, the generation of individual orthotic shapes by the manufacturing management device 300 may include a process of setting the shape of the target orthotic based on the content of the request indicated in the request information included in the received primary orthotic request information.

[0021] Furthermore, individual orthotic device information may include specification information (an example of specification conditions) that specifies the specifications of the orthotic device, such as the color, material, and gaps to be formed in the orthotic device. In addition, the specification information may include information that specifies the shape and material of the orthotic device so as to satisfy the clinical engineering performance indicated in the standard orthotic device information for the same type of orthotic device as indicated in the received primary orthotic device request information.

[0022] The manufacturing management device 300 may allow the person requesting the manufacture of the orthotic device to confirm the contents of the generated individual orthotic device 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 orthotic device information. The person requesting the manufacture of the orthotic device displays an individual orthotic device information screen on the requester terminal 100 that shows the contents of the individual orthotic device information included in the confirmation request received by the requester terminal 100. The individual orthotic device information screen may display a 3D image of the orthotic device that reproduces the shape, color, and material of the individual orthotic device included in the individual orthotic device information. The viewpoint of the 3D image of the orthotic device may be arbitrarily changed according to the operation of the person requesting the manufacture of the orthotic device. Furthermore, when displaying the orthotic device as a 3D image, a 3D image of the body shape of the orthotic device user, created based on the personal shape information of the corresponding orthotic device user, may also be displayed. In addition, for example, according to the operation of the person requesting the manufacture of the orthotic device, it may be possible to display the 3D image of the orthotic device overlaid with the 3D image of the body shape of the orthotic device. This type of display makes it easier to compare the body shape of the orthotic device with that of the orthotic device itself, allowing for detailed verification of whether the device's shape matches the intentions of the orthotic device manufacturer and satisfies the user's requirements. Furthermore, the individual orthotic device information screen may also display various specifications included in the individual orthotic device information using text, icons, etc.

[0023] The client who orders the manufacture of an orthotic device can change the information of the individual orthotic device by operating the individual orthotic device information screen. Specifically, the client can perform operations to change the shape of the orthotic device displayed as a 3D image. Specifically, for example, the client can change the shape of the pressure relief area of ​​the orthotic device displayed as a 3D image by increasing or decreasing the size of the gap between it and the body part. In addition, the client can change the degree of fixation of the fixation area of ​​the orthotic device displayed as a 3D image, which is used to fix or force the body part, by increasing or decreasing it as needed. Furthermore, the client may also be able to change the color, transparency, material, etc. of the orthotic device as shown on the individual orthotic device information screen.

[0024] The client terminal 100 modifies the individual orthotic device information in response to operations performed on the individual orthotic device information screen as described above. The client terminal 100 transmits secondary manufacturing request information, including the modified individual orthotic device information, to the manufacturing management device 300 in response to operations performed by, for example, the orthotic device manufacturing client. In this way, in this embodiment, the orthotic device manufacturing client can modify the individual orthotic device information generated by the manufacturing management device 300 and then resubmit a request for orthotic device manufacturing to the manufacturing management device 300.

[0025] The manufacturing control device 300 may determine the manufacturing process for the orthotic device in response to the receipt of secondary manufacturing request information. The information indicating the determined manufacturing process for the orthotic device (manufacturing process information) may include information specifying the manufacturing facility FC that will manufacture the corresponding orthotic device (facility designation information). The manufacturing control device 300 may select a manufacturing facility FC from among the manufacturing facilities FC that is capable of manufacturing the target orthotic device and, for example, can deliver it within the delivery time indicated in the primary orthotic device manufacturing request information, and include facility designation information indicating the selected manufacturing facility FC in the manufacturing process information.

[0026] Furthermore, the manufacturing process information may include quality verification processes. Quality verification processes are processes for verifying quality. Quality verification processes may include processes for verifying the shape of the manufactured orthotic device, processes for verifying the operating status and processing results of the orthotic device manufacturing apparatus 500 during the process of manufacturing the orthotic device using the orthotic device manufacturing apparatus 500, and processes for verifying the assembly results.

[0027] Furthermore, the manufacturing process information may include the transportation process for the orthotic device. The transportation process may include, as necessary, information instructing transportation between manufacturing facilities (FCs) and information instructing transportation from the manufacturing facilities (FCs) to the destination of the orthotic device. In addition, if the orthotic device is composed of multiple parts, the manufacturing process information may include information instructing the transportation of each of the multiple parts.

[0028] The manufacturing management device 300 manages the manufacturing process so that the orthotic device is manufactured in accordance with the manufacturing process information. In manufacturing management, the manufacturing management device 300 requests the manufacturing of the orthotic device corresponding to the manufacturing facility FC indicated by the facility designation information included in the manufacturing process information. When manufacturing the orthotic device, the manufacturing management device 300 may generate tertiary manufacturing request information and transmit the generated tertiary manufacturing request information to the facility terminal 400 of the manufacturing facility FC. The tertiary manufacturing request information may be generated based on the information contained in the corresponding primary and tertiary manufacturing request information. Specifically, it may include the orthotic device manufacturing requester ID, orthotic device user ID, orthotic device type designation information, delivery date, individual orthotic device information, etc. Furthermore, the tertiary manufacturing request information may include manufacturing process information corresponding to the target orthotic device.

[0029] At the manufacturing facility FC, the facility terminal 400 instructs the orthotic device manufacturing apparatus 500 to input the individual orthotic device information included in the received tertiary manufacturing request information. The orthotic device manufacturing apparatus 500 then manufactures the orthotic device using the input individual orthotic device information. The input of the tertiary manufacturing request information from the facility terminal 400 to the orthotic device manufacturing apparatus 500 may be performed by a manufacturing staff member involved in orthotic device manufacturing at the facility FC, or it may be performed in response to a predetermined trigger, such as reaching a predetermined time or the orthotic device manufacturing apparatus 500 becoming ready to manufacture the next orthotic device.

[0030] In this embodiment, the orthotic device manufacturing apparatus 500 may be an apparatus utilizing additive manufacturing technology. Specifically, the orthotic device manufacturing apparatus 500 may be a pellet-type 3D printer. By manufacturing orthotic devices using the orthotic device manufacturing apparatus 500 as a 3D printer, variations in the quality of orthotic devices caused by, for example, variations in the skills of prosthetists and orthotists can be eliminated, and stable, high-quality orthotic devices can be manufactured efficiently. Furthermore, with a 3D printer, it is easy to manufacture orthotic devices that reflect the user's requests, body type, and other characteristics, such as color, design, and fine shape. Moreover, by using a pellet-type 3D printer, the time required to manufacture orthotic devices is significantly reduced compared to, for example, a filament-type printer, and costs can also be significantly reduced, making it possible to provide orthotic devices quickly and at a low cost.

[0031] After the orthotic device is manufactured by the orthotic device manufacturing apparatus 500, subsequent manufacturing processes may be carried out according to the corresponding manufacturing process information, such as delivery to other manufacturing facilities for other processes such as verification and polishing, or delivery to the client who requested the orthotic device to be manufactured.

[0032] Figure 2 shows an example of the functional configuration of the client terminal 100. The client terminal 100 in the figure may be configured with hardware such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), and storage devices such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive). The client terminal 100 may also be equipped with a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) as hardware. The functions of the manufacturing management device 300 shown in the figure are realized by the CPU and GPU in the client terminal 100 executing programs.

[0033] The client terminal 100 in the figure comprises 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 for communication. The operation unit 102 includes operators and input devices provided in the client terminal 100, or input devices connected to the client terminal 100, and accepts operations performed by the user (orthotic device manufacturing client). The display unit 103 displays images according to the control of the control unit 104. The operation unit 102 and the display unit 103 may be equipped with touch panels that allow operation of the display surface.

[0034] The control unit 104 performs various controls on the client terminal 100. The control unit 104 includes an information acquisition unit 141, a display processing unit 142, and an information modification unit 143. The functions of the display processing unit 142 and the information modification unit 143 may be realized, for example, by executing an orthotic device 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 corresponding body part of the orthotic device user (patient). The information acquisition unit 141 transmits the 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 orthotic device indicated by the individual orthotic device information transmitted from the manufacturing management device 300 to display a three-dimensional image of the orthotic device on the display unit 103.

[0037] The information modification unit 143 modifies the individual orthotic device information in response to an operation to change the specifications (dimensions, color, material, etc.) of the orthotic device based on the three-dimensional image displayed on the display unit 103. The information modification unit 143 transmits secondary manufacturing request information, including the modified individual orthotic device information, to the manufacturing management device 300.

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

[0039] Figure 3 shows an example of the functional configuration of the manufacturing control device 300. The manufacturing control device 300 in the figure may be configured with hardware such as a CPU, ROM, RAM, and storage devices such as an HDD or SSD. The manufacturing control device 300 may also be equipped with a GPU as hardware. The functions of the manufacturing control device 300 shown in the figure are realized by the CPU and GPU provided in the manufacturing control device 300 executing programs.

[0040] The manufacturing control 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 the part that performs data input and output with external devices such as the client terminal 100 and the facility terminal 400. The input / output interface 301 may be configured so that data is input and output via communication over a network, or it may be configured so that data is input and output 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 as the information generation unit 321 and the manufacturing instruction unit 322 may be realized as functions in the fitting manufacturing request application.

[0043] The information generation unit 321 generates individual fitting information used for manufacturing a fitting based on the personal shape information included in the primary manufacturing request information transmitted from the requester terminal 100.

[0044] The manufacturing instruction unit 322 causes the fitting manufacturing apparatus 500 to manufacture a fitting using the individual fitting information. For this purpose, the manufacturing instruction unit 322 transmits tertiary manufacturing request information including the individual fitting information to the facility terminal 400 of the manufacturing facility FC. When the individual fitting information included in the tertiary manufacturing request information received by the facility terminal 400 is input to the fitting manufacturing apparatus 500, the fitting manufacturing apparatus 500 manufactures a fitting having the three-dimensional shape indicated by the input individual fitting information.

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

[0046] The manufacturing facility information storage unit 331 stores manufacturing facility information for each manufacturing facility FC. Figure 4 shows an example of manufacturing facility information stored by the manufacturing facility information storage unit 331 corresponding to one manufacturing facility FC. The manufacturing facility information in the figure includes fields for facility ID, facility name, location, business days, available orthotic devices, worker information, and manufacturing orthotic device reservation schedule. The facility ID field stores the facility ID indicating the corresponding manufacturing facility FC. The facility name field stores the name (facility name) of the corresponding manufacturing facility FC. The location field stores the location of the corresponding manufacturing facility FC. The business days field stores the business days of the corresponding manufacturing facility FC. The available orthotic device field stores the types of orthotic devices that can be manufactured at the corresponding manufacturing facility FC. The worker information field stores information (worker information) about workers who work at the corresponding manufacturing facility FC. The worker information corresponding to one worker may include information such as worker ID, name, and available orthotic device types.

[0047] Let's return to the explanation in Figure 3. The standard orthotic information storage unit 332 stores standard orthotic information for each orthotic type. Figure 5 shows an example of standard orthotic information stored by the standard orthotic information storage unit 332 corresponding to one orthotic type. The standard orthotic information in this figure includes fields for orthotic type ID, standard shape data, and specification conditions. The orthotic type ID field stores the orthotic type ID indicating the orthotic type of the corresponding standard orthotic. The standard shape data field stores the standard shape data indicating the three-dimensional shape of the corresponding standard orthotic. The specification conditions field stores usage conditions indicating conditions such as clinical engineering performance defined for the specifications of the corresponding orthotic.

[0048] Return to FIG. 3. The individual prosthetic device information storage unit 333 stores individual prosthetic device information used in the manufacture of prosthetic devices up to now. FIG. 6 shows an example of the individual prosthetic device information stored in the individual prosthetic device information storage unit 333 corresponding to one prosthetic device. The individual prosthetic device information in the figure includes a prosthetic device user ID, a manufacturing date, and a field of individual prosthetic device information. The field of the prosthetic device user ID stores the prosthetic device user ID indicating the prosthetic device user who uses the prosthetic device manufactured using the corresponding individual prosthetic device information. For example, an insurer number or the like may be used as the prosthetic device user ID. The field of the manufacturing date stores the date (manufacturing date) on which the prosthetic device was manufactured using the corresponding individual prosthetic device information. The field of the individual prosthetic device information stores the individual prosthetic device information used in the manufacture of the corresponding prosthetic device.

[0049] Referring to the sequence diagram of FIG. 7, an example of the processing procedure executed by the prosthetic device manufacturing system of the present embodiment in relation to the manufacture of prosthetic devices will be described.

[0050] Step S100: Prior to the manufacture of the prosthetic device by the prosthetic device manufacturing user No. 1, the patient as the prosthetic device user receives a doctor's diagnosis at a medical institution. When the doctor determines that a prosthetic device is required for the treatment and rehabilitation of the patient, the doctor prescribes a prosthetic device. In response to the prescription of the prosthetic device, the prosthetist causes the 3D scanner 200 to scan at least the body part where the prosthetic device is to be worn on the body of the patient who is the prosthetic device user. The 3D scan by the 3D scanner 200 generates three-dimensional shape data of the body part of the prosthetic device user.

[0051] Step S102: In the requester 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 three-dimensional shape data thus acquired 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 personal shape information acquired in step S102. The primary manufacturing request information may also include information about the prosthetist as the client corresponding to the client terminal 100, and information about the orthotic user corresponding to the 3D 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 in step S104 may be performed each time 3D shape data is acquired in step S102, or it may be performed in response to the occurrence of a predetermined trigger, corresponding to one or more 3D shape data stored in the storage unit 105. In this case, the predetermined trigger may be, for example, an operation by the user (orthotic device manufacturer requester: prosthetist) to transmit primary manufacturing request information, or it may be the arrival of a predetermined time.

[0054] Step S106: In the manufacturing management device 300, the information generation unit 321 generates individual orthotic device information using the personal shape information included in the primary manufacturing requester information transmitted in step S104. Specifically, the information generation unit 321 identifies the type of orthotic device to be manufactured as specified in the primary manufacturing requester information. The information generation unit 321 obtains standard orthotic device information associated with the identified orthotic device type from the standard orthotic device information storage unit 332. The information generation unit 321 may generate individual orthotic device shape data indicating the shape of the orthotic device for the corresponding orthotic device user by modifying the standard shape data included in the acquired standard orthotic device information based on the shape indicated by the personal shape information. In this case, the information generation unit 321 may generate individual orthotic device shape data such that gaps, fixing parts, etc., are formed according to the specification conditions included in the acquired standard orthotic device information. In addition, the information generation unit 321 may generate individual orthotic device shape data such that the shape reflects the requests of the orthotic device user indicated by the request information in the primary manufacturing requester information. In this case, for example, if the request information indicates requests for weight reduction, breathability, etc., the information generation unit 321 may generate individual orthotic device shape data by providing holes in the orthotic device or adjusting the thickness of the orthotic device so that weight reduction and breathability can be achieved. In this case, the number and size of holes, the thickness of the orthotic device, etc. may be set within the range that satisfies the clinical engineering performance indicated by the standard orthotic device information for the corresponding orthotic device type. The information generation unit 321 generates individual orthotic device information including the individual orthotic device shape data generated as described above. The individual orthotic device information may also include information regarding the specifications of the orthotic device, such as color, transparency, and material, as indicated in the request information included in the primary manufacturing request information received in step S104.

[0055] Step S108: The information generation unit 321 sends a confirmation request to the requester terminal 100, the source of the primary manufacturing request information, requesting confirmation of the contents of the individual orthotic device information generated in step S106. The confirmation request includes the individual orthotic device information generated in step S106.

[0056] Step S110: In the client terminal 100, the display processing unit 142 displays an individual orthotic device information screen that reflects the contents of the individual orthotic device information included in the confirmation request transmitted in step S108. The display processing unit 142 may generate a three-dimensional orthotic device object by rendering using the individual orthotic device shape data in the individual orthotic device information included in the confirmation request. The display processing unit 142 may also render the orthotic device as a 3D object so that the colors, textures, etc., indicated by the request information are reflected. The display processing unit 142 may display the 3D object of the orthotic device rendered as described above in three-dimensional space in the individual orthotic device information. The viewpoint of the 3D object of the orthotic device placed in this manner may be freely changed according to the operation. The display processing unit 142 may also display the dimensions of each part of the orthotic device indicated by the individual orthotic device shape data in a predetermined manner on the individual orthotic device information screen. The display processing unit 142 may also display information indicating the prescription details of the orthotic device for the orthotic device user on the individual orthotic device information screen. Information regarding the prescription may be provided by the physician when a request for an orthotic device prescription is received from the physician, and may be stored in the requester's terminal 100.

[0057] Step S112: The orthotic device manufacturer can modify the individual orthotic device information by operating on the individual orthotic device information screen. Specifically, the orthotic device manufacturer can modify the individual orthotic device shape data in the individual orthotic device information by specifying the part to be modified in the 3D object of the orthotic device placed on the individual orthotic device information screen and performing an operation to change the shape. In other words, the orthotic device manufacturer can check the shape of the 3D object of the orthotic device and make slight modifications to the shape according to the body shape and preferences of the orthotic device user. Such changes to the shape of the orthotic device may also be possible by changing numerical values ​​indicating the dimensions of the orthotic device, in addition to changing the shape of the 3D object of the orthotic device. Furthermore, the orthotic device manufacturer may also change, for example, the color and texture of the orthotic device. The 3D object of the orthotic device may reflect the changed color and texture in addition to the changed shape. Thus, in this embodiment, the individual orthotic device information generated by the manufacturing management device 300 can be modified by the orthotic device manufacturer. By enabling the generation and modification of individual orthotic device information in this way, it becomes possible, for example, to improve the function and quality of the orthotic device by utilizing the experience and skills of the client, such as a prosthetist or orthotist, and to create an orthotic device that accurately reflects the requests and circumstances of the orthotic device user. The information modification unit 143 of the client terminal 100 accepts operations to modify the individual orthotic device information as described above.

[0058] Step S114: The information change unit 143 changes the individual appliance information according to the operation received in step S112.

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

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

[0061] Step S118: In the manufacturing management device 300, the manufacturing instruction unit 322 determines the manufacturing process for the orthotic device 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 orthotic device. 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 refers to the information on compatible orthotic devices (Figure 4) in the manufacturing facility information stored in the manufacturing facility information storage unit 331 to identify a manufacturing facility FC capable of manufacturing orthotic devices of the type to be manufactured. The manufacturing instruction unit 322 may also refer to the location (Figure 4) in the manufacturing facility information to further identify a manufacturing facility FC that is within a certain distance from the address of the orthotic device manufacturing requester. The manufacturing instruction unit 322 may also refer to the business days and orthotic device manufacturing reservation schedule (Figure 4) of the identified manufacturing facility FC to further identify a manufacturing facility FC that can manufacture the orthotic device by the deadline, for example. The manufacturing instruction unit 322 may select one of the manufacturing facilities FCs identified in this manner as the manufacturing facility FC for manufacturing the target orthotic device.

[0062] Step S120: The manufacturing instruction unit 322 generates tertiary manufacturing request information that includes individual orthotic device information included in the secondary manufacturing request information transmitted in step S116 and the manufacturing process determined in step S118. The tertiary manufacturing request information may further include the delivery date, information of the orthotic device manufacturer, etc. The manufacturing instruction unit 322 transmits the generated tertiary manufacturing request information to the facility terminal 400 of the selected manufacturing facility FC.

[0063] Step S122: When the facility terminal 400 receives the tertiary manufacturing request information transmitted in step S120, it obtains individual orthotic device information from the received tertiary manufacturing request information. At the manufacturing facility FC, for example, a worker plans a schedule to manufacture the orthotic device by the delivery date indicated by the obtained individual orthotic device information. The worker also prepares materials such as resin pellets according to the material, color, etc. of the orthotic device indicated by the obtained individual orthotic device information. The facility terminal 400 inputs the individual orthotic device shape data included in the obtained individual orthotic device information into the orthotic device manufacturing device 500, which is also located in the same manufacturing facility FC, for example, in response to an operation by a worker.

[0064] Step S124: The orthotic device manufacturing apparatus 500 manufactures an orthotic device with the shape indicated by the individual orthotic device shape data entered in step S122.

[0065] Although the following steps will not be illustrated, the manufactured orthotic device may be subjected to the following processes according to the manufacturing process determined in step S118, such as inspection, transportation for other processes at other manufacturing facilities FC, and transportation to the orthotic device manufacturer.

[0066] The manufacturing management device 300 may also have a web server function that provides a website (website for requesting the manufacture of orthotic devices) that corresponds to the service for requesting the manufacture of orthotic devices. In this case, the requester terminal 100 can access the website for requesting the manufacture of orthotic devices using a web browser, thereby enabling the uploading of primary manufacturing request information from the requester terminal 100 to the manufacturing management device 300 (step S104), the display of an individual orthotic device information screen corresponding to the individual orthotic device information generated by the manufacturing management device 300, and the modification of the individual orthotic device information in response to operations on the individual orthotic device information screen (steps S110 to S114). In this case, the functions of the display processing unit 142 and the information modification 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 orthotic device information screen and displays the individual orthotic device information screen on the web browser of the requester terminal 100. In this case, the information modification unit 143 accepts operations on the individual orthotic device information screen displayed on the web browser and modifies the individual orthotic device information.

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

[0068] Furthermore, the manufacturing management system 300 may be distributed across multiple devices and servers, each assigned a predetermined function, and the functions of the manufacturing management system 300 may be realized through the cooperation of multiple devices and servers.

[0069] Furthermore, programs for realizing the functions of the aforementioned client terminal 100, 3D scanner 200, manufacturing management device 300, facility terminal 400, and orthotic device manufacturing device 500 may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the programs recorded on this recording medium may be loaded into a computer system and executed to perform the processing of the aforementioned client terminal 100, 3D scanner 200, manufacturing management device 300, facility terminal 400, and orthotic device manufacturing device 500. Here, "loading the programs recorded on the recording medium into a computer system and executing them" includes installing the programs into the computer system. Here, "computer system" includes hardware such as the OS and peripheral devices. Also, "computer system" may include multiple computer devices connected via a network including communication lines such as the Internet, WAN, LAN, and dedicated lines. Also, "computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, ROMs, CD-ROMs, and storage devices such as hard disks built into the computer system. Thus, the recording medium on which the program is stored may be a non-transient recording medium such as a CD-ROM. Furthermore, the recording medium includes internal or external recording media accessible from the distribution server for the purpose of distributing the program. The program code stored on the distribution server's recording medium may be different from the program code in an executable format for the terminal device. In other words, the format in which it is stored on the distribution server is irrelevant as long as it can be downloaded from the distribution server and installed in an executable format for the terminal device. It is also acceptable for the program to be divided into multiple parts, downloaded at different times, and then combined on the terminal device, and for each of the divided programs to be distributed by a different distribution server. Moreover, "computer-readable recording medium" includes volatile memory (RAM) within computer systems that act as servers or clients when a program is transmitted over a network, which retains the program for a certain period of time. Furthermore, the program may be intended to implement only a part of the functions described above.Furthermore, the above-mentioned functions may be implemented in combination with programs already recorded in the computer system, such as so-called differential files (differential programs).

[0070] <Note> (1) One aspect of this embodiment is an orthotic device manufacturing system comprising: an information acquisition unit (141) that acquires personal shape information indicating the shape of the orthotic device attachment site on the orthotic device user's body; an information generation unit (321) that generates individual orthotic device information indicating the shape of the orthotic device used by the orthotic device user based on the personal shape information; and a manufacturing instruction unit (322) that causes an orthotic device manufacturing apparatus (500) using a pellet-type 3D printer to manufacture an orthotic device using the individual orthotic device information in response to the input of orthotic device shape information indicating the shape of the orthotic device.

[0071] (2) One aspect of this embodiment is the orthotic device manufacturing system described in (1), wherein the personal shape information may be three-dimensional scan data of the orthotic device attachment site on the body of the orthotic device user.

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

[0073] (4) One aspect of this embodiment is an orthotic device manufacturing system according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the manufacturing instruction unit may, by referring to facility information for each of a plurality of facilities each equipped with an orthotic device manufacturing device, select a facility (manufacturing facility FC) suitable for manufacturing the orthotic device corresponding to the individual orthotic device information generated by the information generation unit, and input the individual orthotic device information to the orthotic device manufacturing device provided in the selected facility.

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

[0075] (6) One aspect of this embodiment is the orthotic device manufacturing system described in (5), wherein the specification condition is that a pressure-relieving portion of the orthotic device that does not compress a predetermined body part has a predetermined gap with respect to the predetermined body part, and the information generation unit may generate the individual orthotic device information such that the pressure-relieving portion of the orthotic device to be manufactured has a predetermined gap with respect to the predetermined body part.

[0076] (7) One aspect of this embodiment is the orthotic device manufacturing system described in (5) or (6), wherein the specification is that the orthotic device to be manufactured is provided with a body fixation part for fixing a predetermined body part, and the information generation unit may generate the individual orthotic device information such that the strength of the body fixation part in the orthotic device to be manufactured is increased compared to other parts.

[0077] (8) One aspect of this embodiment is an orthotic device manufacturing system according to any one of (1) to (7), further comprising an information modification unit that modifies the individual orthotic device information in accordance with an operation to change the shape of the orthotic device indicated by the generated individual orthotic device information, so as to reflect the shape changed by said operation.

[0078] (9) One aspect of this embodiment is the orthotic device manufacturing system described in (8), wherein the information changing unit may be configured such that the operation to change the shape of the orthotic device is performed within an allowable range determined according to predetermined specification conditions specified for the orthotic device.

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

[0080] (11) One aspect of this embodiment is a method for manufacturing an orthotic device in an orthotic device manufacturing system, comprising: an information acquisition step in which an information acquisition unit acquires personal shape information indicating the shape of the orthotic device attachment site on the orthotic device user's body; an information generation step in which an information generation unit generates individual orthotic device information indicating the shape of the orthotic device used by the orthotic device user based on the personal shape information; and a manufacturing instruction step in which a manufacturing instruction unit causes an orthotic device manufacturing apparatus using a pellet-type 3D printer, which manufactures orthotic devices in response to the input of orthotic device shape information indicating the shape of the orthotic device, to manufacture an orthotic device using the individual orthotic device information.

[0081] (12) One aspect of this embodiment is a program that causes the computer in the orthotic manufacturing system to function as an information acquisition unit that acquires personal shape information indicating the shape of the orthotic attachment site on the orthotic user's body, an information generation unit that generates individual orthotic information indicating the shape of the orthotic used by the orthotic user based on the personal shape information, and a manufacturing instruction unit that causes an orthotic manufacturing apparatus using a pellet-type 3D printer to manufacture an orthotic using the individual orthotic information in response to the input of orthotic shape information indicating the shape of the orthotic.

[0082] 100 Client terminal, 101 Communication unit, 102 Operation unit, 103 Display unit, 104 Control unit, 105 Storage unit, 141 Information acquisition unit, 142 Display processing unit, 143 Information modification unit, 200 3D scanner, 300 Manufacturing management device, 301 Input / output interface, 302 Control unit, 303 Storage unit, 321 Information generation unit, 322 Manufacturing instruction unit, 331 Manufacturing facility information storage unit, 332 Standard orthotic device information storage unit, 333 Individual orthotic device information storage unit, 400 Facility terminal, 500 Orthotic device manufacturing device

Claims

1. An orthotic device manufacturing system comprising: an information acquisition unit that acquires personal shape information indicating the shape of the orthotic device attachment site on the orthotic device user's body; an information generation unit that generates individual orthotic device information indicating the shape of the orthotic device used by the orthotic device user based on the personal shape information; and a manufacturing instruction unit that causes an orthotic device manufacturing apparatus using a pellet-type 3D printer, which manufactures orthotic devices in response to input of orthotic device shape information indicating the shape of the orthotic device, to manufacture an orthotic device using the individual orthotic device information.

2. The orthotic device manufacturing system according to claim 1, wherein the personal shape information is three-dimensional scan data of the orthotic device attachment site on the body of the orthotic device user.

3. The orthotic device manufacturing system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the information generation unit generates individual orthotic device information by changing standard orthotic device information that indicates the shape of an orthotic device defined as a standard based on the personal shape information.

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

5. The orthotic device manufacturing system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the information generation unit generates individual orthotic device information that satisfies predetermined specification conditions specified for the orthotic device to be manufactured.

6. The orthotic device manufacturing system according to claim 5, wherein the specification condition is that a pressure-relieving portion of the orthotic device that does not compress a predetermined body part has a predetermined gap with respect to the predetermined body part, and the information generation unit generates the individual orthotic device information such that the pressure-relieving portion of the orthotic device to be manufactured has a predetermined gap with respect to the predetermined body part.

7. The orthotic device manufacturing system according to claim 5, wherein the specification condition is that the orthotic device to be manufactured is provided with a body fixation part for fixing a predetermined body part, and the information generation unit generates the individual orthotic device information such that the strength of the body fixation part in the orthotic device to be manufactured is increased compared to other parts.

8. The orthotic device manufacturing system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising an information modification unit that modifies the individual orthotic device information in response to an operation that modifies the shape of the orthotic device indicated by the generated individual orthotic device information, so as to reflect the shape modified by said operation.

9. The orthotic device manufacturing system according to claim 8, wherein the information changing unit ensures that the operation to change the shape of the orthotic device is performed within an allowable range determined according to predetermined specification conditions specified for the orthotic device.

10. The orthotic device manufacturing system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a display processing unit that reproduces and displays in three dimensions an orthotic device manufactured based on the individual orthotic device information generated by the information generation unit.

11. A method for manufacturing an orthotic device in an orthotic device manufacturing system, comprising: an information acquisition step in which an information acquisition unit acquires personal shape information indicating the shape of the orthotic device attachment site on the orthotic device user's body; an information generation step in which an information generation unit generates individual orthotic device information indicating the shape of the orthotic device used by the orthotic device user based on the personal shape information; and a manufacturing instruction step in which a manufacturing instruction unit causes an orthotic device manufacturing apparatus using a pellet-type 3D printer, which manufactures orthotic devices in response to the input of orthotic device shape information indicating the shape of the orthotic device, to manufacture an orthotic device using the individual orthotic device information.

12. A program to cause a computer in an orthotic device manufacturing system to function as: an information acquisition unit that acquires personal shape information indicating the shape of the orthotic device attachment site on the orthotic device user's body; an information generation unit that generates individual orthotic device information indicating the shape of the orthotic device used by the orthotic device user based on the personal shape information; and a manufacturing instruction unit that causes an orthotic device manufacturing apparatus using a pellet-type 3D printer, which manufactures orthotic devices in response to input of orthotic device shape information indicating the shape of the orthotic device, to manufacture orthotic devices using the individual orthotic device information.

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