In California, an industrial design student has created a breathable medical cast concept using plant extracts, “recycled” food, and bioplastics.
Dubbed AXO, Aadhya Krishna says the 3D-printed cast is comfortable, easy to use, and recyclable. “The goal of the project was to find new sustainable methods to design and manufacture medical casts, to reduce the need for check-ups and avoid the possibilities of further tissue, muscle, or bone damage,” Krishna tells Design Boom.
The design features flexible triangle components to address the many annoyances of casts, including sweat, stink, rigidity and itch. “The triangular pattern was decided on the basis of strength, tolerance, and ability to provide flexibility without damaging the form,” she adds.
The concept recently won Krishna and collaborators Tri Duong and Jiayi Zheng gold at the Design For Society Prize of the International Design Awards.