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Grand Challenges Canada

Bold Ideas with Big Impact®

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Provision of Orthotic Care for Children using 3D Printed Devices

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Start Date: 31/03/2017- End Date: 30/06/2019


Project Lead(s): Nikolai Dechev

If left untreated in young children, skeletal deformities like clubfoot and early-onset scoliosis can grow to become major life handicaps, preventing full participation in society due to stigma and a lack of employment opportunities.

This project will address this challenge by 3D printing high-quality, lightweight, low-cost orthotic devices. These will include corrective braces for treatment of clubfoot and torso braces for treatment of scoliosis. The goal is to create orthotics which are comparable in comfort, fit, and compliance to standard braces. The project will train local skilled clinical partners to produce the orthotics, allowing for local production of the advanced devices directly in-country.

Embracing a non-profit, sustainable business model, the project will sell the 3D printed orthotic devices to clients in high-income countries and use the net revenue to fund its activities in low- and middle-income countries. The project will start in Nepal and aims to expand to other countries. 

Image Gallery

  • Clubfoot Brace Unassembled - Photo credit - Michael Peirone
  • Final Brace Open - Photo credit - Derek Bell
  • Clubfoot Brace Assembled - Photo credit - Michael Peirone
  • Final Brace Back - Photo credit - Derek Bell
  • Innovation Overview
    Program

    Stars in Global Health

    Institution

    University of Victoria

    Institution Country

    Canada

    Implementation Country

    Nepal

    Implementation Region

    South Asia

    Priority

    Congenital abnormalities, Newborn Conditions, Other, Post-natal care

    Platform

    Health Provider training, Medical Device

Grand Challenges Canada’s programs are primarily undertaken with the financial support of the Government of Canada provided through Global Affairs Canada.

Government of Canada
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