使用快速成型(Rapid Prototyping, RP)技術製造之義肢承筒已經實現，但是目前為止，仍未見快速成型義肢承筒可以讓膝下截肢患者安心地在日常生活中使用；原因在於目前的快速成型機都是將材料以疊層之方式接合成需求形狀之物品，致以快速成型機製作之膝下義肢承筒很難避免沿疊層位置破裂。為改善此特殊破裂現象，本研究發展出於RP雛型承筒外圍包覆不飽和聚酯樹脂層，用來強化膝下義肢承筒的抗彎強度。由於RP包覆樹脂強化層之承筒強度的影響參數包含有：RP雛型承筒之厚度、不飽和樹脂層之厚度、快速成型材料之種類以及RP雛型承筒成型之方向。本研究使用田口實驗設計方法，及ASTM D790三點式彎曲強度測試法，由一系列試片之彎曲強度實驗值，依田口方法之分析結果來決定強度較佳的參數，設計製作出RP包覆樹脂強化層之承筒。
為驗證RP包覆樹脂強化層之膝下義肢承筒的實用性，經復健師及截肢患者確認可以舒適地穿戴的承筒，量測站立及在三種步行速度(正常步行狀態、稍慢及稍快)之步程週期(stance phase)，殘肢的可受壓及非受壓區域與承筒之間的界面壓力；分析得到之界面壓力值可提供義肢師了解在殘肢於使用承筒時之受力狀態，作為設計與製造承筒的之依據。
本研究也同時建立電腦輔助設計義肢承筒設計製作的製程，經由掃瞄殘肢的點資料來決定殘肢外型，再依照殘肢上的受壓區和非受壓區來編修殘肢形狀，經編修而且確認過的殘肢模型即可用來設計製造出截肢患者專屬的義肢承筒。本研究初步成果顯示，整合電腦輔助設計製造系統、逆向工程及快速成型技術，應可改善傳統方法義肢承筒製造方法品質不穩定的缺點。

In this study the feasibility of fabricating prosthetic socket using rapid prototyping (RP) has been verified. However, no RP prosthetic socket can normally be used by a transtibial amputee. The reason is that current RP machines use a layer-based process to manufacture products, so that the bounding strength of any object made by RP material is different. This result in RP products liable to break along layers once bending moment is applied. To prevent RP prosthetic socket from breaking, this thesis proposes wrapping a layer of unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) around the prosthetic socket to reinforce its strength. Factors affecting the strength of the resin-reinforced RP socket include thickness and forming orientation of the preliminary RP socket, thickness of the UPR layer, and type of material used to make the preliminary RP socket. This study employed Taguchi experimental design to design a series of test specimens for use by the 3-point bending test. Based on analysis of the results of the bending strength test, the design parameters for a resin-reinforced transtibial socket of appropriate strength can be determined. The preliminary RP socket for a specific transtibial amputee is fabricated using an FDM machine and then wrapped with a reinforcing layer of UPR.
To confirm the applicability of the resin-reinforced socket developed in this study, the measurement of interface pressures between the residual limb and the socket was implemented at standing and during the stance phase at three walking speeds. Analysis of the result of this measurement would assist a prosthetist to realize the distribution of interface pressures at the pressure-tolerant (PT) and pressure-relief (PR) areas of the residual limb while the resin-reinforced RP socket is being worn. If the database of pressure distribution at various PT/PR areas can be well established and provide the required information, than shape modification of the socket during the design of a prosthetic socket would be much easier to achieve. In addition, a CAD-based procedure for the design and manufacture of the prosthetic socket has also been proposed. The result of this study demonstrates that by integrating a CAD system, reverse engineering and RP technologies, a qualified resin-reinforced RP socket can be fabricated taht meets the requirements of a transtibial amputee. The quality uncertainty of sockets can be improved if the proposed socket and the corresponding production procedure are adopted to replace the traditional manual method of fabrication.

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