Undergraduate Project
Class
Vertically Integrated Projects: 3D Printed Biomedical Devices
Completion Date
Key Skills
Rhino 3D · Prototyping
Project Summary
Designed a low-cost, customizable 3D-printed brace for patients with cerebral palsy and muscular disorders.
Developed an occupational therapy tool to improve hand function and support rehabilitation exercises.
Focused on enabling patients to perform bimanual tasks and increase independence through assisted hand movement.
Goals/Requirements
Create an affordable and adaptable brace for different patient sizes and needs.
Use skin-safe materials such as PLA or TPU for patient comfort and safety.
Support the thumb while preventing excessive extension.
Assist patients in opening their fingers to practice grasping and stabilization tasks.
Design a lightweight, comfortable device suitable for repeated therapeutic use.
Outcome
Generated a custom 3D model using a scan of a patient's arm.
Designed a forearm support, cuff, tensioning system, and flexible finger guards.
Developed spring-inspired finger components to assist finger extension and hand opening.
Split the forearm structure into two sections for easier customization, removal, and application.
Enabled therapy exercises focused on holding and stabilizing objects with the affected hand
Conclusion
Demonstrated the potential of additive manufacturing for personalized rehabilitation devices.
Created a scalable approach for producing affordable, patient-specific occupational therapy tools.
Identified future improvements including lower-friction tensioning systems, extended forearm support, customized I-bar designs, neoprene comfort layers, and simplified patient measurements.
https://ultimaker.com/learn/empowering-student-innovation-at-the-nyu-tandon-school-of-engineering/
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