日本福祉工学会誌 論文 概要

日本福祉工学会誌 Vol. 21, No. 2, pp. 69-76 (2019)

デジタル技術を活用した胸部エピテーゼの製作と評価

阿佐美 翼,向井 伸治

The Fabrication and Evaluation of Breast Epithesis Utilizing Digital Technology

Tsubasa AZAMI and Shinji MUKAI

This study represents an attempt to utilize digital technology to fabricate a breast epithesis. Using 3D scan data of a unilateral breast deficient patient, we create a method of developing a 3D epithesis mold mirroring the patient's intact breast and with a surface matching the patient's body. The silicone epithesis uses a mold made with ABS resin by a 3D printer. Upon evaluation of the epithesis' shape by a skilled technician, it is concluded that the epithesis could be put to practical use. Conventional manual work for creating a breast epithesis has the following issues: (1) At the time of the mold's creation, the shape of the patient's body deforms due to the weight and pressure of the impression material. This consequently reduces the accuracy of the mold. (2) The quality of the work depends on the skill of creator. These problems can be mitigated, however, by applying digital technology. In addition to solving the aforementioned issues, digital epithesis fabrication also has numerous advantages, including the ability to produce miniature models for customer presentation.

Key words:Epithesis, Prosthesis, Mammaplasty, Digital Fabrication