PROBLEM:
The orthosis currently used to correct clubfoot is difficult to don and occasionally slips off the child.
Our client, Jeremy Uronis, a prosthetist and orthotist at Lurie Children’s Hospital, asked us to design a brace for clubfoot that would be more user-friendly and secure than what is currently available.
The Rear-Entrance Orthosis makes it easy for parents to put on the brace and keeps the foot from coming out.
Purpose and Requirements:
The objective of this design is to create an easier-to-use and more secure orthosis for clubfoot that does not minimize its therapeutic effect. Additionally, the design should be safe and comfortable for the child.
Design:
Our design, the Rear-Entrance Clubfoot Orthosis, involves a redesign of the structure, introducing a back opening to the brace.
Living Hinge
The living hinge connects the base piece to the back and allows the back portion of the brace to hinge open, so that the child’s foot can slide in from behind. This way, only the ankle strap needs to be fastened when donning the brace, because the foot can be slid into the prefastened diagonal/toe straps.
Adjustable Straps
Adjustable straps can be easily tightened or loosened to the required tension and keep the brace secure on the child’s foot.
Child-safe Side Release Buckle
The child-safe side release buckle and smaller side-release buckles also help ensure security of the brace on the foot. They are easy to undo for the parent, but require too much dexterity and force for the child to open.
ABS Plastic Back and Sole
The ABS plastic back and sole are the skeleton of the orthosis and they are connected by the living hinge.
