Development of 3D-printed customized facial padding for burn patients

摘要

Purpose This paper aims to develop 3D-printed customized padding to increase pressure at the zero pressure region. This padding is specifically intended for facial areas with complex contours in pressure therapy treatment of hypertrophic scars. Design/methodology/approach To carry out this study, a full-face head garment was fabricated by a local occupational therapist, and pressure measurements were conducted to establish the pressure exerted by this head garment and to determine the zero pressure region. Furthermore, an additional manufacturing method was used to construct customized padding, and pressure measurements were performed to measure the pressure exerted after application of this customized padding. Findings The results reveal that 3D-printed customized padding can increase pressure at the zero pressure region, which occurs on complex contour surfaces with a spatial gap because of non-contact of the head garment and facial surfaces.