Structural and Thermal Optimization of Thoracic Lumbar Sacral Orthosis

Abstract

The project concerns an external thoracic brace designed for individuals with scoliosis (curvature of the spine). The traditional brace, known as a Thoracic Lumbar Sacral Orthosis (TLSO), remains uncomfortable to many wearers for a variety of reasons such as sweating, internal heat concentration, and high uniformly distributed stiffness. The project goal is to design an improved TLSO version that incorporates many pattern holes (to lessen sweat/heat load/reduced thickness) without unduly compromising the required stiffnesses of the brace. The 450 team will model and optimize this design concept and then 3D print a working prototype. Evaluation of the optimized design consists of analytical and physical prototype testing.