| EPSRC Reference: |
EP/L505134/1 |
| Title: |
Additive manufacture value chain to deliver bespoke orthotics within 48 hours with greatly improved health economics |
| Principal Investigator: |
Nester, Professor C |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Researcher Co-Investigators: |
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| Project Partners: |
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| Department: |
Sch of Health Sciences |
| Organisation: |
University of Salford |
| Scheme: |
Technology Programme |
| Starts: |
01 November 2013 |
Ends: |
31 January 2017 |
Value (£): |
261,452
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Manufacturing Machine & Plant |
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| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
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| Panel History: |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
The NHS and health care sector provide orthotics (sometimes called "supports" or "braces") for people's feet and lower
limbs in order to help treat a wide range of problems associated with walking. People with diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis
sometimes experience excessive pressure under their feet and this can leads to devastating foot problems and even
amputation. Health professionals use orthotics to protect the feet. However, these orthotics need to be adjusted
(customised) for each individual patient and this is a complex, costly, and slow process prone to error.
The research in this project seeks to use innovative manufacturing techniques to combine foot shape with other data (e.g.
pressure under the foot) to design novel foot orthotics. The most innovative part of the project is that the orthotics will be
"printed" rather than using traditional hand-made techniques. The new "printing manufacture" method allows the shape of
the insoles and the properties materials used to be altered to exactly match the needs of the foot and patient, in an almost
infinite number of ways. It also reduces the risk of error and makes reproduction of exactly the same product possible. The
outcome of the project will be a new supply chain for foot orthotics into the NHS, using East Lancashire NHS Trust as a
beacon site for the technology and its implementation.
FDMDS are a 3D technology printing company and they will combine their additive manufacturing expertise with the foot
orthotics knowledge from Salfordinsole Healthcare, an existing supplier of foot orthotics to the NHS. The University of
Salford will research how different orthotic shape and materials used affect the foot. East Lancashire NHS Trust will be the
primary clinical site for orthotic testing and prescription.
The proposal will leave a legacy for FDMDS to use their printing technology for the orthotic sector beyond orthotics for feet.
FDMDS will work with the East Lancashire NHS Trust to develop a plan for how this new "printing" method might have
other advantages in health care. This may involve working with occupational therapists and prosthetists.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.salford.ac.uk |