Title: Design and evaluation of a new composite spine support

Authors: Simin Nasseri; Mohammad Jonaidi; Salim Kortobi; Timothy Plowman; George Williams

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering Technology, Kennesaw State University, Georgia, USA ' Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering Technology, Kennesaw State University, Georgia, USA ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering Technology, Kennesaw State University, Georgia, USA ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering Technology, Kennesaw State University, Georgia, USA ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering Technology, Kennesaw State University, Georgia, USA

Abstract: Many patients suffering from back deformity, such as scoliosis, kyphosis and Scheuermann's diseases can benefit from a novel spine support designed to non-invasively correct posture in the entire spinal column. The proposed model, constructed of polymer sleeves and a solid support beam, is light and strong and allows for size and position adjustments. Hence it can be used for any patient presenting with moderately distorted posture. The proposed support is based on previously designed composite finger and foot supports and was selected to have the least effect on the user's everyday life while still providing correction for the patient. In this proposal, the solid support beam is constructed of aluminium or steel, allows rotatability and its length can be adjusted to accommodate the height of various people. Computer simulations using SolidWorks© have been performed to validate the maximum displacement in the beam and also the maximum Von-Mises stress developed.

Keywords: spine; structure; orthosis; finite element analysis; composite.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPSQ.2023.133667

International Journal of Product Sound Quality, 2023 Vol.1 No.1, pp.78 - 90

Received: 07 Apr 2023
Accepted: 22 Jun 2023
Published online: 28 Sep 2023 *