Abstract: Orthotics and methods for forming orthotics are described. The orthotics can be designed with a patient-specific design and can include variation in hardness across the orthotic so as to satisfy clinical need. An orthotic can be a custom-designed orthotic formed according to an additive manufacturing process such as a 3-D printing methodology. Through utilization of on-site formation methods such as 3-D printing, an orthotic can be designed, formed and fit at the point of care in a much shorter time period than traditional orthotics. The orthotics can include a layer that includes a plurality of cells across the layer. The layer can exhibit variable hardness across the layer through variation in cell void volume and optionally material of formation across the layer.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 18, 2016
Date of Patent:
April 2, 2019
Assignees:
Clemson University Research Foundation, Ability Prosthetics & Orthotics, Inc.
Inventors:
John DesJardins, Scott Edward Stanley, Breanne Przestrzelski, Timothy C. Pruett, Steve L. Hoeffner, Brian Daryl Kaluf