JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #72 - April/May 2012 - 18

medical
Infusion and prepregs: improved composite blades
Originally, Back in the 90’s, we chose the hand lay-up process, that would give the team a wider potential for fast testing in order to switch from certain types of fabrics to others. Carbon fibre braids were widely used in the sector at that time, and many trials were also made in this direction. The first results were encouraging and we picked up in manufacturing capacity during the 90’s. We also developed anterior composite blade orthoses to provide assistance to patients with certain muscle deficiencies such as spina bifida and anterior/posterior composite blade orthoses to provide new solutions for certain types of polyhandicapped and CP patients (Fig. 6). The changed moments of strengths provided support and assistance in the various gait stances, meeting the specific needs of each patient in regard of his/her functional capacity. Much was accomplished with unidirectional (UD) and multiaxial fabrics using either epoxy or acrylic resins. Very quickly, we felt the need to move on to infusion-processed orthoses, and then to prepreg orthoses. This analysis led us to design a complete workshop with three-way process capability, in order to give the best response to patients in the shortest possible time, which can be critical in some situations. This way, a true “know-how” was developed in terms of manufacturing flexibility and innovations in custom orthopaedic devices, with the sector’s recognition. Along the way, the cosmetic parameter needed to be considered as well. This particular subject gave us a hard time since it appeared fairly difficult to find decorative fabrics in the composite sector to fit into our requirements (Fig. 7). We are still constantly working on it, as cosmetics have become a part of the orthopaedic device acceptation.

Fig. 7: Post blade orthosis

Gait and motion analysis
Fig. 6: Infusion process

BTO, a young team with 70 years of background experience, is a small company that operates in the orthopaedic field, offering advanced composites solutions. The laboratory is recognized for its technical know-how and for its fitting capabilities in patient care, but also for its manufacturing flexibility and innovations in custom orthopaedic devices. Historically (1934) involved with patient care, the lab has developed external prosthetic solutions for amputees, but it is also well known as a pioneer in the field of complex orthotics. Since 1970, the lab has been involved in paraplegic and hemiplegic patient care and working on orthopaedic devices to help them return to walking and develop autonomy. In the late 80’s, while much consideration was given to cerebral palsy and neurologic disorders, BTO was the first to work with medical centre teams in the Greater Lyon area (France) to develop new type of dynamic walking orthoses, changing the way orthoses were designed and helping the sector evolve from static solutions to energy-release composite orthoses using infusion and prepreg manufacturing techniques.

More information

Gait analysis is the systematic study of human motion, using the eye and the brain of observers, augmented by instrumentation for measuring body movements, body mechanics and the activity of muscles. Gait analysis is used to assess, plan and treat individuals with conditions affecting their ability to walk. It is also commonly used in sports biomechanics to help athletes run more efficiently and to identify postureor movement-related problems in people with injuries. The study encompasses a quantification step, i.e. introduction and analysis of measurable parameters of gaits, and an interpretation step. Not only

can you examine the geometry of movement as the limbs travel through space (kinematics), but the force plate makes it possible to study the forces that cause movement (kinetics). Although much early research was done using film cameras, the widespread application of gait analysis to humans with pathological conditions such as cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s disease or neuromuscular disorders became possible with the availability of video camera systems which could produce detailed studies of individual patients within realistic cost and time constraints. The development of treatment regimens, often involving orthopaedic surgery, based on gait analysis results advanced significantly in the 1980s. Many leading orthopaedic hospitals worldwide now have gait labs which are routinely used in large numbers of cases, both to design treatment plans and for follow-up monitoring. Modern computer-based systems were developed independently in several hospitalbased research labs, sometimes through collaborations with the aerospace industry. Commercial development soon followed with the emergence of Vicon Motion Systems and

18 jec composites magazine / No72 April - May 2012

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

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