This document summarizes a design project aimed at developing an external rib bracing system to help heal rib fractures. It provides background on rib fractures, outlines the focus of a systematic literature review on using external rib bracing, and summarizes some research findings supporting pain relief from rib belts. Initial concept designs are presented, including a compression shirt and adhesive patches. An initial foam prototype is developed and tested against a rib belt, finding it can apply comparable concentrated force for stabilizing injured ribs. Further material and design refinements are recommended.

1. SUHEL DAHIWAL
QUINN BOESLEY
JAY MALLINSON
ENGGEN 770 Design Project
Presentations:
Group 6

2. Background
 Common
cause : Direct
blow to chest
due to car
accident
 1.2 million
people killed
every year
(WHO report)
 At least 4
weeks to heal

3. Focus of the Systematic Review
Aim:
To find evidence relating to the use of external rib
bracing for the treatment of rib fracture injuries
Question:
“For patients with non-flail rib fractures, how much
does the use of an external reinforcing member
reduce the healing time compared with patients who
don’t use any reinforcing.”
 Population
 Intervention
 Comparison
 Outcome

4. Search
strategy

5. Research Results
 3 RCT’s (Quantitative)
 2 Case and 1 cohort studies (Qualitative)
 Pain relief using RIB BELTS
- Two groups (pain relief tablets and rib belts)
- 25 % reduction in pain (pain scale)
- Low sample size (no statistical difference P=0.28)
 Pulmonary complications

6. Design Requirements
 Limit torso movement to reduce patients
pain
 Minimise impact on respiratory function
 Widely applicable to a variety of patients
 Be easy to use

7. Initial Concepts
Compression Shirt / Singlet
Rigid Support with Elastic Binding
Rib Belt with Light Material over Intercostal

8. Initial Concepts Continued
Multiple Rib BeltsInjection Moulded / 3D Printed
Adhesive Patch with Polymer Inserts

9. Combined MART Analysis

10. Initial Prototyping
• Difficult to stretch foam across rib injury
Elastic Foam Top
Velcro Base
Adhesive on underside

11. Prototype Development
Cut-outs in Foam for more Elasticity

12. Experimental Setup
 Compare the force at a point applied by our prototype
to that applied by a circumferential belt.

13. Calibrating the Sensor
V
Piezo-Resistive
Sensor Schematic

14. Test Protocol
 Mount sensor
 Apply compression device
 Sample force
measurements

15. Test Results
Test Applied Force (N)
Rib Belt 609
Rib Belt > 800
Velcro Base Only 216
Velcro + Foam 316
Velcro + Foam 342
Velcro + Foam 483
Velcro Base Only 471
Velcro + Foam 589
Velcro + Foam > 800

16. Conclusions and Future Considerations
 Achieved comparable force (800 N) at a point with
both the rib belt and our prototype.
 More realistic testing analogue.
 Experiment with different materials and shapes for
the Velcro attachment.