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WASPmedical is revolutionizing scoliosis treatment with

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Nov 14, 2016 | By Nick

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 An Italian doctor is taking on orthopedic scoliosis with the help of a Delta WASP 4070 3D printer and a
holistic approach that includes 3D scanning and modeling software.

In 2014, renowned scoliosis specialist Lelio Leoncini began to experiment with the Delta WASP 4070 to
produce orthopedic corsets. Now, the former Medical Director of Rionera in Vulture-based Medical Center
Sanatrix, has joined WASPmedical on a full-time basis. Leoncinis mission is simple: he wants to develop an
affordable, comfortable and reliable treatment for scoliosis sufferers around the world and he believes that
3D printing could be the key.

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The Italian doctor, a specialist in physical therapy and physical medicine, has already produced a series of
different weaves for 3D printed corsets that provide support for scoliosis sufferers. He has also produced
tailored insoles, which can help balance the sufferers body and combat the onset of advanced scoliosis.

The most common form of scoliosis is a spinal curvature that is often progressive and can leave the
sufferer permanently disabled. This crippling condition starts as a slight curve in the spinal column. Over
time the condition gets worse and the curvature can become so severe that the bones in the spine can
displace internal organs and cause a variety of life-threatening complications. It can also cause
excruciating pain in the arms and legs as the bones put pressure on the nerves.

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 In the US alone, more than 600,000 people seek treatment every year for scoliosis and many more cases
go undetected. Once a doctor has identified the condition, the treatment is often expensive and producing
bespoke corsets is an arduous task that puts a strain on health services around the world.

That means some people simply dont get the support they need and the treatment is always reactive and
distinctly low-tech. The current fitting process involves taking a full-body plaster cast, which is time
consuming and expensive. Its also a clumsy, low-tech solution that often means the final corset is not a
perfect fit.

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Leoncini believes that a holistic approach with the help of 3D scanners and modeling software means he
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scanner, he said. This allows us to shape the corset in a very precise way. You can amend and revise of
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the model, which would be impossible using the traditional plaster cast.
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 Leoncini is perfecting a model that will help him predict the onset of the disease with a virtual program that
will help him develop better corsets to restrict the problem areas and provide additional support where
required. This means that the corset should do a better job, it should be more effective at preventing the
diseases progression and the patient wont need constant replacements. It is also cheaper to make in the
first place.

The production costs decrease considerably and you speed up production, so a technician can hand-
make a couple of corsets a day, said Leoncini. Using 3D printing you can double the quantity and
produce better quality.

The Italian doctor is determined to test and improve every part of the 3D printed corset. That includes
testing different filaments before settling on TreeDFilaments Shogun. This works much like PLA, but it can
be thermoset more than once and that means the doctors and specialists can make last-minute alterations
to the corset when they fit it to the patient.

Leoncini is also working with different weaves to ensure that he has the best combination of strength,
support and comfort. He also wants to ensure they can wear the support constantly, too, as many
sufferers simply cannot wear their brace all the time and that takes its own toll.

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 In recent months, he has hit upon the Cheneau Model, which is a punched weave that can be used in
unstressed parts of the corset. The Italian has also produced an exoskeletal corset, which fits to the
underarm and pelvic regions to provide additional support for those with collapsed vertebrae, or to provide
support and help a patient get back on their feet after surgery. He has also created a rigid chair support
to help give disabled scoliosis sufferers the best possible quality of life.

He has also developed a line of lightweight wrist supports that help alleviate the pressure on the nerves
and provide lightweight, comfortable and stylish supports for patients with problems in their extremities.

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 Leoncini is hoping to change the way the medical profession looks at scoliosis and his custom approach to
each case is tailor-made for the world of 3D printing. Its fascinating to see how one determined doctor
can make such radical strides with the support of WASP 3D and we look forward to hearing more about his
determined fight against a crippling condition.

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