Three-dimensional (3D) printing technology is one method of digital fabrication. Currently, various types of 3D printers are being developed in the world. The 3D printing method involves lamination shaping, which has the advantage of being able to print even a single product with intricate shapes that is difficult to mold using other processing methods. It has great potential for coping with various individual needs that are essential in assistive technology service. The main methods are as follows : Stereolithography (SLA), Material Jetting (MJ), Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), Binder Jetting (BJ) and Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM). The FDM method is also known as desktop 3D printing. This paper outlines the features of 3D printers and the process from 3D modeling to printing and describes the required skills for effectively using 3D printing technology.

This paper reports on the design and development of new cosmetic gloves for a powered prosthetic hand which provide realistic appearance and flexible motion of a robot hand. The main design issues are divided in five as follows : appearance, gripping performance, durability, texture, and flexibility. The appearance denotes shape, wrinkling, finger stamp, nail, and color, all of which aim to simulate the properties of human body characteristics. The durability is evaluated by adaptability to daily living, and flexible materials without prevention of finger motion. Furthermore, the gripping performance is improved by the thickness map of the palm which is well fit to gripping objects. The experiment shows the results of the performance test applied to the pick-and-place task by using a powered prosthetic hand in order to evaluate the total properties of the developed cosmetic gloves.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of two types of arm weight support orthoses for the single joint type of hybrid assistive limb (HAL-SJ). We used Portable Spring Balancer (PSB) and HAL-SJ tabletop mount (HSTM) with HAL-SJ for upper limb rehabilitation in stroke patients with hemiplegia. Eight cases were included in this study. The evaluation was performed using Brunnstrom recovery stages (BRS) and patients impressions, and the wave patterns of bioelectrical signals on monitor with a HAL-SJ controller. In the case of BRS III and IV, patients’ /impressions were better with the HSTM method compared with PSB. Concerning the bioelectrical signal patterns, the PSB method had a tendency toward extensor predominance. On the other hand, the HSTM method showed flexor predominance. This study demonstrated that each rehabilitation method has advantages and disadvantages. Based on these results, stroke rehabilitation using HAL-SJ may be tailor-made using these methods for each patient at different stages of hemiparesis.

A new ankle foot orthosis (AFO) that can recreate dorsiflexion of the metatarsophalangeal joint was produced experimentally using soft carbon fiber reinforced plastics. This case study aimed to assess the effects of this newly developed AFO on gait in a child with spastic hemiplegia cerebral palsy. By using a motion analysis system that was synchronized with a force plate, 3 gait tasks performed by the subject while walking barefoot or using the newly produced AFO or the conventional AFO were recorded and examined. Compared with the conventional AFO, use of the newly developed AFO significantly increased the angle of ankle dorsiflexion during the gait cycle. Moreover, the vertical ground reaction force at loading response was significantly decreased (p<0.05) while that at terminal stance was significantly increased (p<0.01). These findings demonstrate that the newly developed AFO may help to perform gait more efficiently.

We reported on the prosthetic rehabilitation of a person with purpura fulminans (PF) who underwent quadruple amputation. A patient was a 57-years-old man, who suffered from PF with symmetrical peripheral gangrene of the upper and lower limbs. He underwent quadruple amputation (bilateral transradial (TR)/bilateral transtibial (TT) amputation). During the rehabilitation program, we faced the prosthesis-related challenges : restoration of locomotion and self-donning/-doffing of lower limb prostheses. To manage such challenges, he required special modification for their prostheses and the use of assistive devices. He acquired the ability to use the upper limb prostheses and developed a prosthetic gait without any serious medical problems. We have experienced rehabilitation of two patients with PF before. Compared to the previous two cases, the rehabilitation program was successfully performed in this case because he was a person with TR and TT amputation and there were no physical (range of motion and muscle strength) or dermatological problems on his residual limbs, and we could use our own experience to adapt appropriate prostheses for the persons with quadruple amputation.

The two generally accepted treatments for scoliosis are the use of a brace and surgical intervention. Brace treatment has been shown to be especially effective for children with idiopathic scoliosis. The inclusion criteria for brace treatment of idiopathic scoliosis consist of the following : age is 10 years or older, Risser 0-2, primary curve angles 25-40 degrees, and if female, either premenarchal or less than 1 year postmenarchal. To prescribe a more efficient brace, curve pattern, the apex vertebra, correction rate, and coronal balance of spine are carefully evaluated using X-ray. In our institute, the success rate for brace treatment (5 degrees or less curve progression) is 74%. Furthermore, the rate of curve improvement (5 degrees or more curve improvement) is 22%.