[Survey of carbon fiber reinforced plastic orthoses and occupational and medical problems based on a questionnaire administered to companies involved in the manufacture of prosthetics and orthotics].

Abstract

We surveyed carbon fiber reinforced plastic orthoses (carbon orthoses) and their associated occupational and medical problems based on a questionnaire sent to 310 companies which were members of the Japan Orthotics and Prosthetics Association. Of all the companies, 232 responded: 77 of the 232 companies dealt with ready-made carbon orthoses, 52 dealt with fabricated custom-made orthoses, and 155 did not dealt with carbon orthoses. Although the total number of custom-made carbon ortheses in Japan was 829/ 5 years, there was a difference by region, and one company fabricated only 12 (per 5 years) custom-made carbon orthoses on average. The advantages of the carbon orthosis were the fact that it was "light weight", "well-fitted", had a "good appearance", and "excellent durability", while the disadvantages were that it was "expensive", "high cost of production", of "black color", and required a "longer time for completion", and "higher fabrication techniques". From the standpoint of industrial medicine, "scattering of fine fragments of carbon fibers", "itching on the skin" and "health hazards" were indicated in companies that manufacture the orthosis. In order to make the carbon orthosis more popular, it is necessary to develop a new carbon material that is easier to fabricate at a lower cost, to improve the fabrication technique, and to resolve the occupational and medical problems.

• Authors: Yuko Kaneshiro, Nami Furuta, Kenichiro Makino, Futoshi Wada, Kenji Hachisuka
• Journal: Journal of UOEH (J UOEH) Vol. 33 Issue 3 Pg. 231-6 (Sep 01 2011) ISSN: 0387-821X [Print] Japan
• PMID: 21913380 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Carbon Fiber
• Plastics
• Carbon

Topics

• Braces
• Carbon
• Carbon Fiber
• Equipment Design
• Humans
• Japan
• Orthotic Devices (economics, standards, statistics & numerical data)
• Plastics
• Surveys and Questionnaires