Osteoid: Revolutionizing Fracture Healing

Deniz Karasahin's Innovative 3D Printed Medical Cast

Deniz Karasahin, a visionary designer, has created a medical cast that is not only comfortable and practical but also accelerates healing. Inspired by the geometry of cancellous or spongy bone, Karasahin's design, named Osteoid, is a 3D printed medical cast that offers a new approach to treating fractures.

Unlike traditional casts, the Osteoid medical cast is designed with the patient's comfort in mind. Traditional casts are often bulky, heavy, and limit the patient's exposure to water. They also lack proper ventilation, leading to discomfort and unpleasant odors. However, the Osteoid cast, made from 3D printed ABS, a material commonly used in food containers, is lightweight, slim, and water-resistant. It also features ventilation holes, eliminating the common issues of itching and bad smell associated with conventional casts.

But the Osteoid cast isn't just about comfort. It's also about speeding up the healing process. The cast can be combined with a low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) bone stimulator system. This system, when used for 20-minute daily sessions, promises to reduce the healing process by up to 38% and increase the heal rate up to 80% in non-union fractures. The ventilation holes in the Osteoid cast allow the LIPUS probes to be placed directly over the injured area, something that wasn't possible with traditional casts.

The production of the Osteoid cast involves advanced technology. The patient's limb is first scanned with a 3D body scanner. This data is then transferred to a modeling software where the size and geometry of the cast are determined based on the medical situation. The final CAD data, including the ventilation holes and LIPUS probe adapters, are then 3D printed. The cast is made from two pieces that fit together like a jigsaw puzzle, with a flexible pin inserted through a central hole to connect the pieces tightly.

The Osteoid medical cast is the result of a four-month study in Izmir, Turkey. The design has been recognized for its innovation and potential to revolutionize the treatment of fractures. In 2014, it was awarded the Golden A' 3D Printed Forms and Products Design Award, a prestigious accolade granted to outstanding and trendsetting creations.

In conclusion, Deniz Karasahin's Osteoid medical cast is a testament to the power of design and technology in improving healthcare. It offers a fresh perspective on treating fractures, focusing on patient comfort and accelerated healing. The Osteoid cast is indeed a remarkable innovation, paving the way for future advancements in medical technology.