The synergy of modern CAD solutions and medical innovations: the Ukrainian clinic “NODUS” created a bionic exoskeleton using the Autodesk Fusion 360 solution.
The history of the creation of the first exoskeleton model begins in 2014 and AutoCAD was used as the main design software, but unfortunately this solution did not become a convenient tool for communication between the development team and clinical experts.
In 2018, the management of “NODUS” decided to introduce Autodesk Fusion 360 into the workflow of its own team of designers. Regarding obtaining licenses, the company turned to Wise IT specialists. The first reason for choosing the software was the compatibility of Autodesk Fusion 360 with AutoCAD, as well as the ease of learning. “For us, doctors, the program turned out to be intuitive and adaptable, and we quickly mastered it,” says Oleksandr Kulyk, Ukrainian neurosurgeon, director of the Nodus clinic. In addition, the program allowed working with 3D scans (the clinic already has a biological 3D scanner that allows doctors to scan different parts of the body and use the data to create individual orthopedic devices). In the future, spline models obtained through 3D scanning can be transferred to Fusion 360 for accurate modeling of individual exoskeletons.
In the three years that have passed since the transition to Autodesk Fusion 360, the “NODUS” team did not have to create a single production element for real tests. Iterations of new products are tested digitally, saving time and resources. One of the main advantages of using Autodesk Fusion 360 is the ability to create exoskeletons that are second to none in the world: they cost twice as much as foreign counterparts, and the quality is just as high.
“The bionic exoskeleton is suitable for the most difficult patients who cannot walk at all due to organic lesions of the spinal cord and brain. Such an exoskeleton, unlike the usual one, does not just support the non-working motor segment of the muscles, but provides a frame. Thanks to it, muscles and organs are located physiologically, as on a real skeleton. In addition, the details of our exoskeleton are so ergonomic that it simply fits on the leg. Under loose clothing, one may not even notice that a person’s leg does not work.” Oleksandr Kulyk comments.
The full version of the success story can be found at the link.
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