Development of Smart Orthopedic Devices Using Shape Memory Textile Composites

Foot Orthopedic Rehabilitation Device

Based on the shape memory fibers, this project will design and develop the smart yarns, textiles and textile composites with electroactive shape memory function, and further develop the innovative smart orthopaedic devices. The details are summarized as follows:

1) Design and fabricate electroactive shape memory yarns and textiles;
2) Control the properties of the electroactive shape memory textile composites, and prepare the tailor-made textile composites for orthopaedic applications.
3) To develop prototypes of the smart orthopedic devices using tailor-made electroactive SM textile composites.
4) To evaluate the performace of the proposed devices from the perspectives of biophysical properties, ergonomic, biomechanics and functional effect.

The proposed project will conduct the research and development of innovative smart orthopedic devices with electroactive shape memory function, which will not only be beneficial to enhancing the competitiveness of the local hospitals and rehabilitation centers, but also can promote the applications of SM textiles in medical field through the intersection among the chemical, textile and medical fields, and boost the innovative capacity of the medical and textile material companies. Thereby, it will promote the development of the high-tech textiles and medical devices.

Project Name (ITF)
Development of Smart Orthopedic Devices Using Shape Memory Textile Composites
Project Number (ITF)
ITP/012/12TP