Humeral Brace(NFC )

This is an updated version of the 3D printed humeral brace which is designed to increase effectiveness of the fracture treatment by providing customized solutions as an alternative to conventional solution.  The inner and outer part of the brace ensure better air circulation and weight reduction compared to plaster of Paris and local made humeral braces, without compromising the strength of the brace.

This brace is equipped with an NFC (Near Field Communication) tag. By scanning the tag  with an NFC-enabled device such as smartphones. Users are conveniently able to access 3D files of the brace, instructions on how to use the brace, design specifications and other relevant information that can help ensure the proper and safe use of the brace.

Installation of the NFC tag: 

Create a pause print at the 6th layer of the model in the slicer, place the tag in the model and then resume the print.

Step-by-step guide on how to use an Android NFC tag reader:

1. First you need to create a whatt.io account.
2. Create a new product.
3. Fill the form and save it.
4. Ensure that your device has NFC capabilities by checking your device's settings.
5. Install a NFC tag reader app from the Google Play Store. Some popular options include NFC TagReader, NFC Tools, and NFC TagInfo. We are using the whatt.io app.
6. Launch the NFC tag reader app.
7. Login with your credentials.
8. Click “Read”, and hold your device close to the NFC tag you wish to read.
9. The app will automatically detect the tag and display the information stored on it. You can also write or edit the data on the tag using the app.
10. If the app prompts you to select an action, such as opening a website choose the action.
11. Once you are done reading or writing to the tag, you can close the app or continue reading other tags.

To write to the NFC tag using the whatt.io app

1. First you need to create a whatt.io account.
2. Login with your credentials.
3. Ensure that your device has NFC capabilities by checking your device's settings.
4. Install a NFC tag reader app from the Google Play Store. Some popular options include NFC TagReader, NFC Tools, and NFC TagInfo. We are using the whatt.io app.
5. Launch the NFC tag reader app.
6. Login with your credentials.
7. Click “Write”
8. To write to an NFC tag using an Android device, simply hold the device close to the tag. The app will automatically detect the tag and begin the writing process to the chip.
9. For more info see whatt.io.

Disclaimer:  This product has not been validated by an external authorizing
body and or independent source. Only use this product according to country specific legislation and
with advice from an authorizing agency or institution. The creator of this product is not responsible
for any damage or injury that may occur from the use of this product.
Do not use our design to treat patients without prior validation of the product by an authorizing
body, agency or institution.

Humeral brace product use procedures:

1. Assessment by the qualified surgeon
2. Taking measurements of the patient and customizing the 3D design for the particular patient (if necessary)
3. Manufacturing the braces
4. Soaking in the hot water and thermoforming around the patient’s arm
5. Attaching by Velcro straps
6. Check-ups, assessment and readjusting during the treatment

Given the success of the humeral brace, successfully used to treat 3 fractures so far, other brace/splint concepts are in the works including finger splints.

ADVANTAGES :

• Full customization based on the patient's needs. The procedure from assessment of patient’s needs until having the full customized product ready takes less than 8 hours. The product can be customized based on the nature of the patient's fracture, size and shape of the arm as well as color preferences of the patient. Customization is done in collaboration with manufacturer, designer and surgeon. Standardized sizes and shapes can be readily available in the hospitals.
• Certified antimicrobial properties of the skin contact approved material Copper3D PLACTIVE that ensures prevention of infections and no odors caused by bacteria's. This material has been certified even for coronavirus.
• Water resistant material allows the patient to keep the brace during shower and does not limit the person in the rainy weather.
• Easy readjustment during the treatment is achieved due to repeated possibility of thermoforming of the brace as the patient’s arm becomes swollen or opposite, as well as multiple patient use which decrease the economic implications for the patient.
• Voronoi pattern holes in the inner and outer part of the brace ensure better air circulation and weight reduction compared to plaster of Paris without compromising the strength of the splint.

PRODUCT LINK TO WHATT.IO: https://whatt.io/humeral-brace-1030/53:70:e6:7c:10:00:01

Print settings:

• Print flat on the heat bed
• 0.3mm layer height
• 100% infill
• Print without skirt - in print setings set to 0,
• Support pattern spacing 1.6,
• Support pattern angle 45,
• First four layers Copper3D PLACTIVE, rest regular PLA. It can be printed fully from PLACTIVE, however due to economic reasons we combine two materials

Note:

• Scale up and down according to you printer capabilities and patient needs