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AUXOBRACEUndergraduate Thesis project in collaboration with the National University Hospital
Auxobrace is a rehabilitation device designed for patients who have undergone open heart surgery
Auxobrace has been recognised by the James Dyson Award as the Singapore National Winner & International Top 20
Auxobrace has been presented live on CNA news
Open heart surgery is the process of splitting open the sternum bone for surgeons to have direct access to the heart for complex operations. Full recovery takes around 3 - 4 months when the bone fully fuses back together. Between that time, patients may experience extreme pain and sternum bone movement that could lead to infections if the would opens. Conventional ways to prevent these are compressive forces that could be applied to the sternum bone to create stability
Initial explorations and ideas was to use pneumatics, both inflatables and vacuum to achieve dynamic compression to create the stability needed
In vacuumatics, polystyrene beads were used as the internal substrate to “Jam” to become more of a solid state. This was useful as it was able to transform from a soft to solid material - being a dynamic cast where support is given on demand
As vacuumatics worked the best, next steps were to have more control over the shrinkage forces and pressure point forces needed on the body. Many principles and theories from soft robotics were adopted to successfull achieve what would be ideal
Bending actuator mechanisms similar to those used in soft robotic grippersCell grid mechanisms similar to those used in artifical muscle contractionScaling down of cell grid structures for final designVisualisation of internal mechanism shrinkage [3D printed TPU]
Visualisation of overall shrinkage in desired fabric [3D printed TPU inside TPU bladder]
With this combination of schematic working, design of the final prototype could take shape - Cell grid + Bending actuator
Brace deformation based on volume of air evacuated from the closed system
A proof of concept model was created and tested quantitatively as well as qualitativelyUser testing with healthcare professionals and patients
Auxobrace’s technology has currently been patented. Additional research and development is currently on going to prepare this device for clinical trials (:
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