Exoskeleton and lower limb prostheses: psychosocial aspects and acceptance of body image with the help of 3D printing

Abstract

The new technologies that involve prostheses and exoskeletons have had a cutting-edge development in their mechanical, technological and functional nature, but studies on the subject involving the psychosocial impact of their users are not yet so advanced. This article studies ways to achieve greater acceptance and higher self-esteem on the part of the patient with a lower amputation, who uses a transfemoral or transtibial prosthesis. The proposal was to introduce the use of custom 3D printed skins for prostheses provided by the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS by its acronym in Portuguese). It was used a CAD (Computer Aided Design) and 3D Printing Software Technologies to create a prototype piece of Cover for Prosthetic Coating, with a design that highlights the beauty of the piece, with design and creativity in additive printing. Men and women wearing inferior prostheses can be the goal regardless of age. These contacts were obtained through the registration of the waiting list to attend the discipline or compulsory supervised internship of the Degree in Physiotherapy in orthopedics and traumatology at the Clínica Escola de Saúde do Centro Universitário Estácio de Santa Catarina. As for the materials, plastic or polylactic acid (PLA) was used, which is an economic material and suitable for conceptual projects for prototypes, like this one, which do not have a mechanical function but only a coating. 3D technology combined with a differentiated design can provide a welcoming and social reintegration, minimizing depression and low esteem for people who carry robust equipment attached to them in the simplest daily tasks. These materials and all of these concepts can also be used with exoskeletons components.