Design and Fabrication of Medial Knee Unloader Via Reverse Engineering

Project Title

Design and Fabrication of Medial Knee Unloader Via Reverse Engineering

Project Area of Specialization RoboticsProject Summary

Osteoarthritis is a common disease in the world. 53% of the people in Pakistan are suffering from it. We as engineers have targeted this social problem and through reverse engineering we shaped a new orthotic device. It is a uni compartment medial knee brace. We selected a brace to apply reverse engineering and redesigned it on auto CAD, through this we changed its shape and the area where the forces are applied. After the deep practical study of lower limb we attained this new site to apply forces with the assistance of physiologists. Our fabricated model is applied on healthy patients with their consent. A protocol is prepared to test on patients in which instability without brace and stability provided by fabricated and two commercial braces are examined. In our test we worked on the forum of static balance. The results elaborates  that our brace is successful in reducing AP SWAY and to some extent it also minimizes ML SWAY so it increases the static balance of the patient which assist him to do his routine activities effortlessly. After the validation study of our model, it can be used effectively by the patients.

                                                                                                

Project Objectives

Ingenious approach to develop mechanical model of knee brace via reverse engineering. This fabricated brace is a prototype which is used in industrial maufacturing through which its price decreases. We have to ,make sure that it is lower than the price of commercial braces (COMPACT, AUTOBOX). It is our aim to make it reachable to ordinary people. 

Project Implementation Method

Firstly we selected the model of the brace for reverse engineering. This selective brace has a universal size which all patients can wear easily. By applying reverse engineering we redesigned on AUTOCAD its shape and the area where straps force is applied, which is fabricated on CNC machine. The next phase is to test it by compareing it two other braces. A force plate plateform is used to check patient's static balance to analyse its anterior posterior and medial lateral sway

Benefits of the Project

Our prototype is designed according to the living standards of Pakistan. The results are very positive which we have tested on patients. This ingenious approach can be produced on an industrial level through which it will be in the range of every patient. Before this all the braces were imported. If this is manufactured in Pakistan then it will be the first one.

In future we can further develop it on automation and the patients data can be processed through the internet, so that the doctors can examine the patient more easily and effectively. 

Technical Details of Final Deliverable

The brace is fabricated on CNC machine and its structure is made up  of aluminum, coated with outdoor powder coat which help to maintain optimum temperature. Its starps are made up of the combining of three materials which are leatherite, (assist in applying force) TP foam, ( provide cushion to skin and decrease pressure beneath the starp which refraid skin problems and muscle oxidation done properly) and velcro ( gives adhesiveness while tighting the strap)

Final Deliverable of the Project Hardware SystemType of Industry Medical Technologies OthersSustainable Development Goals Good Health and Well-Being for PeopleRequired Resources

Item Name	Type	No. of Units	Per Unit Cost (in Rs)	Total (in Rs)
			Total in (Rs)	79500
brace of fabrication	Equipment	1	15000	15000
3D scanning	Equipment	1	5000	5000
scaled model printing	Equipment	1	5000	5000
CNC fabrication	Equipment	1	35000	35000
straps material	Equipment	3	2000	6000
strap manufacturing	Equipment	1	4000	4000
traveling	Miscellaneous	2	2500	5000
write-up printing and bindings	Miscellaneous	3	1500	4500