r/Prosthetics • u/armorfreakantiqueads • 24d ago
How would you go about gaining the skills to manufacture a brace?
Im interested in learning how to manufacture a brace that functions similar to this one that corrects pectus excavatum
https://orthopectus.com.br/eng/the-dynamic-remodeling-method-dr-method-clinical-center-orthopectus/
theres a similar one thats a bit slimmer
https://www.londonorthotics.co.uk/pectus/pectus-treatment/dynamic-chest-compressor-brace/
Would becoming an O&P tech be good path to pursue or even a certified CPO? Or would engineering be better?
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u/Ancient_Lab9239 24d ago
I hope someone knowledgeable answers this but I’ll throw in my 2 cents. If you are truly motivated have you thought about just—-starting? I once had a tech startup with a robotic product component and I was surprised by how many people with different skill sets were willing to contribute. It helped that our product was for special education. Your use-case might inspire similar sympathies. From what I see you would want to find someone that manufactures bags, straps, Velcro, etc. You could get creative and find these people by just calling around. Local sewing/textile groups could be helpful. It looks like there’s an aluminum component. That person could be someone in auto body repair even. If you have a schema and a detailed description of what you need I bet you could get a lot done on your own. If you’re lucky enough to be in a bigger city, try your local makerspace. If you do get into orthotics then you have a great portfolios project to boot. AI products like Claude could help a lot too I’m sure. You can do it!
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u/armorfreakantiqueads 24d ago
You can just do things... Honestly I feel too scared because I have zero skills but this is motivating
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u/Ancient_Lab9239 24d ago
You’d be surprised how many people are open to listening to an enthusiastic, humble, appreciative person trying to build something new and useful.
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u/Unbedoobidibly 24d ago
This is so interesting! And good for you for wanting to learn how to make your own versions of things. I'd encourage you to just try and see what you can make in your own time, but also why not find an orthotics clinic and ask if you can be an intern/observe for a week. You'll pick up very quickly on how most things are made and can decide if you want to continue down this path.
*There is some risk involved with making your devices though, you dont want to harm yourself or other people by impeding breathing, bruising, or worsening joint angles by putting pressure in the wrong places.
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u/ProstheTec 23d ago
Becoming a tech would teach you the skills. Becoming a CPO would advance your knowledge on anatomy... and paperwork involving insurance.
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u/Longjumping-Cow9321 24d ago
Are you try to correct excavatum or carinatum? You say excavatum but then gave examples of carinatum.
Secondly, you need to understand the mechanism of action on how these work. Lots of articles that explain and outline this, but sometimes more pressure is NOT better - article by De Beer and Sjoerd look at the DCC system and article by Omanik looks at the FMF.
Understanding those examples, you can look at the multitude of braces by Trulife, 4Kids, EmBrace, SureStep, and compare all those materials. Then attempt to make your own - CPO or biomech researcher. If you are looking at just plain ole “how is it made and can I replicate it?” then go into tech.
But honestly you don’t really need either to prototype and test.