The Shapeways Blog: 3D Printing News & Innovation
Shapeways Blog
Tuesday, September 7. 2010
3D Printed MediBrace: Taking (some) of the Pain out of an IV Drip
1. No protection for the top of the wrist where the IV was, causing much anxiety on my part on whether the dude was gonna knock his wrist against anything and dislodge the IV needle, etc (wince!)
2. Total lost of dexterity in the hands due to the support block
Rather than sit by wincing in helpless emapthy, Juniortan designed a Medibrace prototype in an attempt to ease the suffering.
The prototype proposed to accomplish the following:
1. immobilization of the wrist from the top instead, secured by velcro bands (currently testing using velcro cable ties)
2. top of the wrist is protected by the Y arms of the brace, while still allowing the palm area to be secured by yet another velcro band
3. Fingers can still move (a lot more than before), without compromising the IV placement4. A lot faster to deploy
Here we see how the simple design works with off the shelf velcro straps, and below, a happier child.. Perfect outcome.
You can get the Medibrace 3D printed from Shapeways starting at just over $19, or download the STL from Thingiverse, although it is to large to be printed in a MakerBot.
