This paper proposes an innovative approach of manufacturing optical fibers using nozzle-mask-aided additive manufacturing. Nozzle-masks ease 3D-printing of optical fibers allowing the manufacturing or drawing of optical fibers of up to 10 μm diameter. These nozzle-masks feature a suction mechanism to prevent clogging of printhead and mask. The extrusion of Polymethyl-methacrylate material through the print-head and nozzle-mask simplifies the rapid prototyping of the optical fibers.
The ability to manufacture complex 3D-objects directly from its CAD model is the important reason why additive manufacturing is being widely used to fabricate cost-efficient prototypes and preferred over conventional manufacturing methods. Moreover, it portrays as a bridging technology to connect different scientific and industrial fields, e.g. Engineering, Medicine, etc. Consequently, additive manufacturing finds its applications in the production of patient-specific orthoses. This paper discusses the development of a pressure sensor based on an optical waveguide principle manufactured using stereolithography apparatus process to embed into a below-knee orthosis. For Orthopedic patients, the below-knee orthosis must be adjusted to the lower leg at regular intervals due to anthropometric changes in patient’s body to achieve proper mobility and correct load. Currently, this alteration relies on the patient’s estimation of support load which is only sub-optimal. Hence, the concept of developing an intelligent orthosis with a novel embedded optical system to monitor the exact support load at the neuralgic is proposed.
Additive manufacturing enables direct prototyping of complex 3D-objects that are difficult to manufacture using conventional methods. It is widely used to fabricate cost-efficient prototypes and portrays as a bridging technology to connect different scientific and industrial fields, e.g. Engineering, Medicine, etc. Consequently, additive manufacturing finds its applications in the production of patient-specific orthoses. This paper discusses the application of the stereolithography apparatus process to develop a pressure sensor based on an optical waveguide principle to embed into a below-knee orthosis. For Orthopaedic patients, the below-knee orthosis must be adjusted to the lower leg at regular intervals due to anthropometric changes in patient’s body to achieve proper mobility and correct load. Currently, this alteration relies on the patient’s estimation of support load and is only sub-optimal. Hence, the concept of developing an intelligent orthosis with a novel embedded optical system to monitor the exact support load at the neuralgic is proposed.
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