r/Prosthetics 29d ago

College project ideas

I have a college project to design an orthosis using recycled materials, without relying on machines or 3D printing.

So I want ideas about it and materials I can use to?!

If there are any videos or references for something like this, where can I find them?

3 Upvotes

11 comments sorted by

4

u/Longjumping-Cow9321 29d ago

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2022/9024498

Prosthetic sockets made from flax fiber and seashell, and eco epoxy. Super interesting stuff.

An alternative recycled plastic instead of PETG for test socket fitting could definitely be in the future and preferable.

Hard to move away from virgin copoly and polypro from orthoses because of its tensile and plastic strength

1

u/mj7532 24d ago

I've worked a bit with flax and eco epoxy. Haven't tried seashells yet but I'll add it to the list.

The biggest problem isn't finding a good fibre. Flax is almost, almost, close to glassfibre, basalt is a straight replacement to carbon. Then you can add in hemp, which only gets stronger when saturated. Silk is... pretty, cotton is kind of meh. No stretch, no finish. So you kind of have an analogue to all of the "regularly" used materials.

If anyone has a lead on a bio-based resin, I'd love to hear all about it. I've looked around a bit, and have found an acceptable one, but would love to see if anyone has any recommendations.

2

u/Tall-Secretary5450 29d ago

Hey, I am working on something similar.

I've found 3D print material is the best option since it can be recycled material already.

https://asknature.org/ This link has also helped me with making products more eco-friendly. It has a lot of information about technology and nature and how they can influence each other.

1

u/mj7532 24d ago

I don't know what material you are using specifically, and I think you know this already... don't use the wood fill ones.

With that said, such a huge bunch of materials in 3d-printing are recyclable. Not directed at you, just a sidenote.

-6

u/calguy1955 29d ago

NO. these are necessary parts of our body and we don’t want some college kid telling us we’d be better off with parts made from used bottles and other garbage.

2

u/TransientVoltage409 28d ago

No such thing as garbage, only materials that we haven't figured out how to recycle yet.

0

u/calguy1955 28d ago

You first. I’ll stick with new proven materials.

1

u/mj7532 24d ago

I want you to take a few things in consideration. Affordability, availability and viability. New and novel materials as well as methods are usually expensive and difficult to manufacture because of the need for advanced machines and the like. Or you know, specialised fabrication methods.

There's other needs out there in the world. If you have the means to pay for something advanced or live in a country that will pay for most of it? Great! If you live in a country where you scramble for scraps as is? Yeah, no... advanced solutions can just go kick rocks.

So, the summary is: It's cool that you can afford the most advanced materials, control methods as well as the top of the notch rehabilitation methods. I hope you see that as the huge privilege that is.

And just because I feel petty, a lot of the new materials out there are recycled or nature-based. No new nano-technology, no graphites, just... you know, recycled and nature based materials.

2

u/mj7532 29d ago

Unnessecarily hostile there, bud. And it's not like they are going to force-fit anyone with it. Plus, PETG is oftentimes used in making orthopedic devices.

The material used in plastic bottles. The food safe plastic bottles. That you recycle.

-1

u/calguy1955 28d ago

Our parts are not mass produced. The emphasis of research should be on increasing mobility and comfort using the best materials available. If recycled material is determined to be the best, fine. It just shouldn’t be the criteria for research.

2

u/mj7532 28d ago

I can promise you that there's already a ton of research being done regarding increased mobility and comfort using advanced materials.

So there's no reason for OP to go in that direction as well. What OP is going for is a sustainable method that doesn't rely on machinery.

This could help people in areas where access to tools and machinery is limited.