Enhance comfort, freedom, and respiration with a soft TPU body jacket
You are probably familiar with the corsets made in polypropylene (PP) for treating scoliosis, mainly teenagers. We have experienced a lot of traction in 3D-printed correction braces as a lightweight product that incorporates zones for correction and comfort for the end user.
However, some users have other needs. This includes young kids, who aim to prevent their spinal condition from worsening and make life more comfortable.
This is the topic of the conversation with Eleftherios Samoitis from Ortholife, with whom we have worked on producing 3D-printed braces in flexible thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) to make them softer than traditional braces in PP and to focus on the special needs of young children with neuromuscular scoliosis (NMS) diagnosis.
Eleftherios explains: “Braces for young children are problematic because they are too stiff and difficult to fit. Gaps occur, and the anatomy, in general, is difficult. A brace made of softer material is easier to fit and much more comfortable. It also makes accepting the treatment easier for patients and their families.”
Fact box:
NMS, or neuromuscular scoliosis, is caused by neurological or muscular conditions affecting muscle control and spinal support. Unlike idiopathic scoliosis, which has no known cause, NMS arises from underlying neuromuscular diseases.
Key characteristics of NMS include early onset, often appearing in childhood or adolescence as the underlying condition progresses. The spinal curvature can worsen rapidly, especially during growth periods, and may present as a single “C”-shaped curve or a double “S”-shaped curve. Pelvic obliquity, where the pelvis becomes uneven, can also affect sitting balance and mobility. These conditions weaken or imbalance the muscles, making it difficult for the spine to maintain proper alignment.
Neuromuscular scoliosis is commonly caused by conditions like cerebral palsy, which affects movement, muscle tone, and posture due to early brain damage. Muscular dystrophy leads to progressive muscle weakness, while spinal muscular atrophy results in nerve cell damage and muscle wasting. Other causes include spina bifida, where the spine doesn’t form properly, traumatic spinal cord injuries that lead to paralysis or weakness, and polio, which causes muscle weakness and spinal curvature. Muscular dystrophy, a genetic disorder affecting peripheral nerves, also contributes to muscle imbalances and scoliosis.
Soft body jacket for young patient
The first 3D-printed soft corset was made for a unique young patient in Cyprus who has NMS and spends many hours in a wheelchair daily. This results in a child’s inactive lifestyle and limits family flexibility. Neither the patient nor the family accepted the traditional correction brace. As professionals working with spinal treatment may recognize, the biggest issue with treatment plans is when the braces are not worn enough. Eleftherios and his team identified the need to design an alternative to help this young patient.
At their facility in Athens, Greece, Ortholife has the Embrace CorsetMaker solution, where he and the team enjoy the freedom to customize and create unique devices. This gave him the idea to make a soft brace in TPU. The 3D printers are specialized production systems, and printing the brace in a different material requires a completely new configuration. Therefore, he contacted the research and development department at Create it REAL to discuss his idea, and we started the project.
Immediate result
A few weeks later, a happy patient received the new soft brace, which immediately improved breathing and head position. It also led to more time outside the wheelchair, as it supported the patient’s posture outside the positioning seat. The patient and the family appreciated the soft material and saw it could prevent the child’s spinal condition from worsening. After a few days, the family stated that it had made their life easier:
- The improved head position, better breathing, and food ingestion were a relief and favorable overall. Although most hours are still spent in the wheelchair, the position is better.
- Using a regular stroller for public transportation or airport transfers is now possible, offering new freedom for the family, who can now more conveniently consider going on trips and vacations together.
Eleftherios and his team are not resting on their success. We may need to make the soft body jacket even lighter to gain acceptance from physiotherapists and caregivers, although this may not be a problem since most young patients are in wheelchairs. We look forward to improving the concept.
Could this be of use to you? If so, you will need to contact us. The soft corset is still a research and development product and is only available through our 3D print service.
