Fabrication of total-contact burn masks by use of human body topography and computer-aided design and manufacturing.
Total-contact burn masks are used to treat scar tissue hypertrophy of the face. The mask should conform very closely to the contours of the face and provide evenly distributed pressure. The mask is worn continually throughout wound maturation. Lack of fit because of an inability to obtain exact facial contours by use of an alginate material diminishes the effectiveness of the mask. A multidisciplinary team representing physical therapy, CAD/CAM (computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing), biomedical engineering, and prosthetics has advanced the method of developing total-contact burn masks by use of human body electronic imaging, computer graphics, and numerically controlled milling processes. High-resolution surface scanning and CAD/CAM have been used successfully to accurately fabricate three such masks. The methodology and preliminary results from use of these state-of-the-art techniques are described in this article.
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH 45433-7022, USA.
J J
JJ
Whitestone
R L
RL
Richard
T C
TC
Slemker
K L
KL
Ause-Ellias
S F
SF
Miller
D002056:Burns / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D017439:Cicatrix, Hypertrophic / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003196:Computer Graphics; D005151:Facial Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008397:Masks; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011312:Pressure