Building better braces for children with cerebral palsy

An Auckland University researcher is using virtual reality, 3D printing, and real-time data to design and create leg braces for children with cerebral palsy, that are more comfortable. Cerebral palsy affects 1 in 500 New Zealand children, and 7000 New Zealanders currently live with cerebral palsy. It generally appears in very early childhood as the result of brain damage that occurs before or during a baby's birth, and the main symptoms are related to movement and posture. About half of children with cerebral palsy need ankle-foot braces to help them walk and prevent muscle tightening, but they can be bulky and uncomfortable. Sara Chami worked as a clinical orthotist in Tehran fitting braces for children. And also studied prosthetics. She's now with Auckland University's Bioengineering Institute and researching if the braces can be built better.