Abstract:

The cost of Healthcare and Medicare for inpatients with spinal disorders and injuries, back and neck procedures, and cervical spine fusions has significantly increased. From 2002 to 2003, total hospital charges have increased by $420 million from $2.02 billion to $2.44 billion and Medicare reimbursements have increased by $58 million from $642 million to $701 million. The relevance of this research to public health is to create a cervical thoracic orthosis (CTO) that will be more medically effective and reduce hospital costs for the above inpatient services. The objective of this research is to refine the design of an existing prototype to create a more medically effective CTO. The specific aims of this research are to: apply anthropometric data; optimize the existing prototype design for manufacturing ability, fit, and to reduce the likelihood of pressure sores.

The 1988 Anthropometric Survey of U.S. Army Personnel was selected as the best database to use for the research. From the data, additional anthropometric measurements were derived that were necessary to define the geometry of the orthosis. The brace was optimized to minimize the contact surface area of the orthosis and ensure that the capillary closing pressure (CCP) of the skin would not be exceeded. Finally 3D CAD models were made using the dimensions obtained through this research. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)