A study on the four-phase design and development process of 3D printed foot-operated safety nail clipper for people with stroke hemiplegia.

Abstract

Purpose: Cutting nails is an essential activity of daily living. In this study, a foot-operated safety nail clipper for people with stroke hemiplegia was developed in four phases using three-dimensional (3D) printing technology.

Materials and methods: A user was identified to develop a foot-operated, safe nail clipper for people with stroke hemiplegia (Phase 1). A single user repeatedly used the technology to determine necessary improvements (Phase 2). Then, the usability was evaluated by four people with disabilities (Phase 3) before the clipper was manufactured at multiple institutions to determine its reproducibility (Phase 4).

Results: The foot-operated safe nail clipper was upgraded during each phase. The Version 2.0 comprises twenty 3D printing materials and five readily-available materials.

Conclusions: A foot-operated safety nail clipper was developed for people with stroke hemiplegia. The number of parts increased as the device was upgraded via the use of 3D printing and available materials. Based on a small-scale usability test, the device was best suited for people with stroke hemiplegia. The assistive device was shared with the assistive technology open platform as an open source. The four-phased process can be used to develop appropriate assistive technology devices through the Makers Movement in the future.