JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - 17

human section concerned is produced by filling up the negative. The certified prosthetist/orthotist (CPO) then makes various types of modifications to correct theaxis, volumes, support and fulcrums. Comfort and cosmetic aspects are considered at each step. The second mould called the “positive” is thus obtained. CAD/CAM software is slowly replacing plaster in the CPO’s everyday work. Making a plaster mould on the patient can sometimes be avoided using 3D modelling techniques, a camera or a 3D scanner. Over the last 15 years, CAD/CAM has been experimented worldwide and after a long testing period, this technology has seen significant progress. Its reliability and productivity are no longer an issue today (Fig. 3). The resulting 3D shape is then analysed using CAD software to design the orthopaedic equipment adapted to the patient (corset, prosthesis, orthosis). In terms of materials, the first breakthrough was the use of Plexiglas in spinal braces. Polyethylene and polypropylene were then used in all types of orthoses (Fig. 4). They came as a large sheet of material that was heated in a special oven prior to

Fig. 5: Energy storage and release orthosis in gait cycle

vacuum thermoforming upon a plaster mould representing the section of the patient to be fitted. Cosmetic aspects were very important, mostly with kids. In the late 80’s, ink paper was proposed to the patient to customize their braces. Functional aspects were the most difficult part, and this remained the major problem for years.

Orthoses in motion: a world of changes
One of the most difficult goals for the patient is to walk again. So let’s concentrate on the below-the-knee level (called AFO for “ankle foot orthosis”) and see what the problem was. Historically, all orthoses were rigid to give a good basis to the patient. The natural mobility of the ankle joint was not allowed, and neither plantar flexion nor extension was possible. When walking was possible, it would give a very rigid type of walking, the same way we all do with snow boots. To avoid this, the first solution was to add articulated joints to the brace, usually riveted on the outside of the material. But thrusts and locks were also added most of the time in order to help with the discrepancy. This was a real problem due to the

weight applied at the distal end of the leg and the additional energy consumption. All of these being way off in regard to cosmetic requirements. This is how our team started to think differently, and look in other directions with multidisciplinary medical teams. We felt to use carbon fibres and resins as reinforcement products in workshops and to study the “elastic” properties of composites. In the meantime, the idea of blocking the ankle of a person appeared in our mind, more and more inappropriate in the framework of rehabilitation. All indicators were pointing to the urgent need for a change of approach. In 1990, we started working on fibres, trying to find out how we could give the required support to the leg, help in the care of the discrepancy and use the energy storage and release principle associated to composites to help in the gait phases.

The first energy-storage and release orthosis
The real breakthrough came from our idea of a “composite blade” ideally placed at the back of the leg that could bend at the same time as the physiologic ankle joint would articulate. The initial research was done in this direction, and was fairly complex. The No72 April - May 2012

Fig. 4: Thermoplastic orthosis

posterior blade was stitched between two rigid parts: the foot plate, that needed to be very rigid due to the deficiency, and the calf part, that needed to maintain the axis and provide support. The blade in itself was to accompany the physiological ankle joint: a bending blade to accept a “rolling” joint (Fig.5). Needless to say that many tests were made with different types of material, fabrics and braids, fibres, resins and prepregs. Many options were also considered in terms of blade shape, but also in terms of positioning. Carbon fibres were very attractive and were widely tested along with epoxy. Various trials were also carried out with acrylic; glass fibres were added, and aramid fibres as well. Calculating the moments of strength was a crucial step in the study, and the choice for the implantation of the blade’s neutral position had to be reconsidered many times. The joint approach with medical teams, including rehab doctors, physiotherapists and occupational therapists, was essential to the progress. The first breakthrough came with young patients with cerebral palsy (CP). It helped us think ahead for adult patients with drop foot, and many other pathologies that are now being treated with success.

/ jec composites magazine 17



JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012

Cover
Edito
Point of view: Toray believes in Europe
Contents
Agenda of Events
COMPANY & BUSINESS
- In Brief
- Wind energy
APPLICATIONS
- Medical
MARKET
- Carbon survey
- Human ressources
FEATURE AEROSPACE
- Advancement
- Nano
- Thermoplastics
- Autoclave
- Fibre placement
- Lamination
- CNC
- Holding
- Manufacturing
- Sustainability
RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
- SMPs
- Damage
TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATIONS
- Coating
- Filament winding
- Natural fibre
Special JEC Asia
- JEC Asia 2012, the place to be
- Aerospace
- Carbon
- Indonesia
Index
In the world
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - Cover
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - 2
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - Edito
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - Point of view: Toray believes in Europe
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - 5
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - Contents
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - 7
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - 8
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - 9
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - Agenda of Events
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - 11
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - - In Brief
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - 13
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - - Wind energy
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - - Medical
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - 16
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - 17
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - 18
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - 19
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - 20
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - - Carbon survey
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - 22
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - 23
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - 24
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - - Human ressources
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - 26
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - 27
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - - Advancement
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - 29
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - 30
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - - Nano
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - 32
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - 33
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - - Thermoplastics
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - 35
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - 36
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - 37
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - - Autoclave
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - 39
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - 40
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - - Fibre placement
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - 42
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - 43
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - - Lamination
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - 45
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - 46
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - - CNC
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - - Holding
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - - Manufacturing
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - 50
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - 51
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - - Sustainability
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - 53
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - 54
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - 55
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - - SMPs
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - 57
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - 58
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - - Damage
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - 60
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - 61
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - - Coating
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - 63
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - 64
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - - Filament winding
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - - Natural fibre
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - 67
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - Index
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - In the world
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - - JEC Asia 2012, the place to be
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - 71
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - - Aerospace
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - 73
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - 74
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - 75
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - - Carbon
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - 77
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - 78
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - - Indonesia
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - 80
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - 81
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - 82
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - 83
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - 84
https://www.nxtbook.fr/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm2211_148
https://www.nxtbook.fr/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm2209_147
https://www.nxtbook.fr/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm2206_146
https://www.nxtbook.fr/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm2204_145
https://www.nxtbook.fr/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm2201_144
https://www.nxtbook.fr/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm211_143
https://www.nxtbook.fr/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm2109_142
https://www.nxtbook.fr/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm2107_141
https://www.nxtbook.fr/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm2105_140
https://www.nxtbook.fr/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm2103_139
https://www.nxtbook.fr/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm-experts-digest-additive-manufacturing-2020
https://www.nxtbook.fr/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm2101_138
https://www.nxtbook.fr/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm2011_Special_Issue4
https://www.nxtbook.fr/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm2011_137
https://www.nxtbook.fr/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm2009_136
https://www.nxtbook.fr/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm2007_135
https://www.nxtbook.fr/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm_2020_Q1_Innovation_Report
https://www.nxtbook.fr/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm2005_Special_Issue3
https://www.nxtbook.fr/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm2005_134
https://www.nxtbook.fr/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm2003_133
https://www.nxtbook.fr/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm2001_132
https://www.nxtbook.fr/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1911_Special_Issue2
https://www.nxtbook.fr/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1911_131
https://www.nxtbook.fr/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1909_130
https://www.nxtbook.fr/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1907_129
https://www.nxtbook.fr/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1905_128
https://www.nxtbook.fr/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1903_Special_Issue1
https://www.nxtbook.fr/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1903_127
https://www.nxtbook.fr/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1901_126
https://www.nxtbook.fr/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1811_125
https://www.nxtbook.fr/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1810_124
https://www.nxtbook.fr/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1808_123
https://www.nxtbook.fr/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1807_122
https://www.nxtbook.fr/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1805_121
https://www.nxtbook.fr/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1804_120
https://www.nxtbook.fr/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1803_119
https://www.nxtbook.fr/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1802_119-Supplement_Innovation_Report
https://www.nxtbook.fr/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1801_118
https://www.nxtbook.fr/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1711_117
https://www.nxtbook.fr/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1710_116
https://www.nxtbook.fr/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1708_115
https://www.nxtbook.fr/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1707_114
https://www.nxtbook.fr/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1706_113
https://www.nxtbook.fr/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1704_112
https://www.nxtbook.fr/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1703_111
https://www.nxtbook.fr/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1701_110
https://www.nxtbook.fr/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1611_109
https://www.nxtbook.fr/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1610_108
https://www.nxtbook.fr/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1608_107
https://www.nxtbook.fr/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1607_106
https://www.nxtbook.fr/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1605_105
https://www.nxtbook.fr/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1604_104
https://www.nxtbook.fr/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1603_103
https://www.nxtbook.fr/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1601_102
https://www.nxtbook.fr/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1511_101
https://www.nxtbook.fr/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1510_100
https://www.nxtbook.fr/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1509_99
https://www.nxtbook.fr/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1507_98
https://www.nxtbook.fr/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1505_97
https://www.nxtbook.fr/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1504_96
https://www.nxtbook.com/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1503_95
https://www.nxtbook.com/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1501_94
https://www.nxtbook.com/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1412_93
https://www.nxtbook.com/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1410_92
https://www.nxtbook.com/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1409_91
https://www.nxtbook.com/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1406_90
https://www.nxtbook.com/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1405_89
https://www.nxtbook.com/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1404_88
https://www.nxtbook.com/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1403_87
https://www.nxtbook.com/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1401_86
https://www.nxtbook.com/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1311_85
https://www.nxtbook.com/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1310_84
https://www.nxtbook.com/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1308_83
https://www.nxtbook.com/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1307_82
https://www.nxtbook.com/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1305_81
https://www.nxtbook.com/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1304_80
https://www.nxtbook.com/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1303_79
https://www.nxtbook.com/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1301_78
https://www.nxtbook.com/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1212_77
https://www.nxtbook.com/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1210_76
https://www.nxtbook.com/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1208_75
https://www.nxtbook.com/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1207_74
https://www.nxtbook.com/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1206_73
https://www.nxtbook.com/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1204_72
https://www.nxtbook.com/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1203_71
https://www.nxtbook.com/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1201_70
https://www.nxtbook.com/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1111_69
https://www.nxtbook.com/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1110_68
https://www.nxtbook.com/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1108_67
https://www.nxtbook.com/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1107_66
https://www.nxtbook.com/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1105_65
https://www.nxtbook.com/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1104_64
https://www.nxtbook.com/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1103_63
https://www.nxtbook.com/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1101_62
https://www.nxtbook.com/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1011_61
https://www.nxtbook.com/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1010_60
https://www.nxtbook.com/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1009_59
https://www.nxtbook.com/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1006_58
https://www.nxtbook.com/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1005_57
https://www.nxtbook.com/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1004_56
https://www.nxtbook.com/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1003_55
https://www.nxtbook.com/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm1001_54
https://www.nxtbook.com/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm0911_53
https://www.nxtbook.com/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm0910_52
https://www.nxtbook.com/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm0909_51
https://www.nxtbook.com/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm0907-08_50
https://www.nxtbook.com/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm0906_49
https://www.nxtbook.com/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm0904_48
https://www.nxtbook.com/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm0903_47
https://www.nxtbook.com/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm0901_46
https://www.nxtbook.com/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm0811_45
https://www.nxtbook.com/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm0810_44
https://www.nxtbook.com/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm0809_43
https://www.nxtbook.com/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm0807_42
https://www.nxtbook.com/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm0806_41
https://www.nxtbook.com/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm0805_40
https://www.nxtbook.com/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm0803_39
https://www.nxtbook.com/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm0801_38
https://www.nxtbook.com/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm0712_37
https://www.nxtbook.com/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm0710_36
https://www.nxtbook.com/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm0709_35
https://www.nxtbook.com/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm0707_34
https://www.nxtbook.com/newpress/jeccomposites/jcm0706_33
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com