Thermoformable Splints

This #FreePrintFriday we are sharing a family of flat-printed, thermoformable splints and immobilizers for rapid, low-resource fabrication in relief settings. Each part prints flat, is warmed in hot water, with a heat gun, or any suitable heat source, and molds directly to the wearer. The open lattice is designed to be light and breathable. Inspired by the recent Maker community's humanitarian efforts to help aid those injured in the earthquakes in Venezuela.

Wrist Splint — stabilization for wrist
Finger Splint (Long and mid section) — stabilization for fingers
Knee Immobilizer — limits knee flexion and keeps the joint extended

-Files included

STEP files — for direct printing or import into any CAD package
Original Rhino file — the native source geometry, open for editing and remixing
Grasshopper (GH) definition — the parametric tool used to generate consistent strut thickness across all designs in the system

The Grasshopper definition was built with the help of the Reer AI plug-in. Thanks to the Reer AI team for the tool that made the parametric strut-thickness workflow possible.

-Intended purpose — temporary bridge use only

These splints are designed for temporary stabilization while proper medical care is being sought, or where such care is delayed or unavailable, such as in disaster and relief settings. They are not a substitute for a professionally applied cast, brace, or definitive medical treatment. They are intended to help protect and immobilize an injury until the wearer can be seen by a qualified medical professional, not to replace that care. Seek proper medical evaluation as soon as it is available.

-Inspiration & credit

Wrist Splint in this system was re-derived using Ostec3D's splint as an ergonomic reference, the design Ostec3D generously shared with the 3D-printing community for earthquake relief in Venezuela. Its fit and silhouette follow the anatomical requirements any thumb-spica splint must meet; the lattice and internal structure are re:3D's own, developed for a specific post-thermoforming stiffness behavior. Full credit and thanks to Ostec3D for the inspiration and for leading the way.

link to Ostec3D's original: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1IsRXzkUHA0u5EKhz9YXHzAYcEHha0H0u

-How to use:

Print flat, then heat until pliable using warm water, a heat gun, or any suitable heat source, and mold to the limb. Secure by bandaging or strapping through the slots, either works. If applicable always use padding beneath the splint, and re-heat and re-form as swelling changes.

-Important: skin & burn safety

If the wearer has open wounds, scratches, or sensitive skin, bandage or wrap the limb before thermoforming so the skin is protected from material that may still be too warm. Always confirm the material has cooled to a safe, comfortable temperature against intact skin before molding it onto a person. Heated material can burn sensitive or broken skin.

-Disclaimer:

These products are not medical devices and are not a replacement for a medical cast, brace, or professional treatment. They are intended only for temporary stabilization as a bridge until proper medical care can be obtained. They have not been approved, cleared, or registered by any regulatory authority. They shall not substitute professional medical treatment, and improper use can cause injury. Always consult a qualified physician for personalized medical advice before use. re:3D makes no warranty of fitness for any medical purpose and assumes no liability for use of these files or objects printed from them.

-License:

Released free for non-commercial and humanitarian use (CC BY-NC). Please keep the credit to Ostec3D intact in any re-share. If you adapt or redistribute, attribute both re:3D and Ostec3D.

-Other ways the community can help:

Printing is only one way to support earthquake relief in Venezuela. Please also consider:

-Follow the maker relief effort — PrintForHelp. PrintForHelp is a nonprofit community platform coordinating the 3D-printing relief response, with collection centers and live part requests. Follow along to see what's currently needed and how to help, needs shift over time, so check their latest requests before you print.

-Donate — Cáritas de Venezuela. Cáritas is running one of the largest on-the-ground earthquake responses in Venezuela, delivering aid and assisting affected families directly. Financial donations reach people that printed parts alone cannot.