Estudiante/s
Miriam Mur Domper - Patricia Lomba Silvestre - Lídia Solés - Paula Gómez Alemany
Promoción
2026
Basic info
WHAT IT DOES
Cal-ma is a custom splint system designed to relieve hand arthritis pain. It combines a daytime base splint that unloads thumb strain with nighttime resting splints that align fingers to prevent morning stiffness upon waking up.
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YOUR INSPIRATION
Researching arthritis, which severely limits hand mobility, we found that traditional thermoplastic or plaster hospital splints trigger rejection. They are bulky, unhygienic, and cause chafing due to poor fit, leading patients to stop wearing them despite the pain. After interviewing users and therapists, we decided to transform a punitive medical device into an aesthetic self-care accessory. We wanted to prove that 3D printing technology could restore dignity and daily autonomy without compromising on design.
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HOW IT WORKS
Cal-ma operates through an integrated, digital-to-analog custom workflow. By scanning the hand with a smartphone camera to get exact anatomical dimensions, we 3D print the kit in Polyamide 12 using high-precision HP Multi Jet Fusion technology.
By day, the patient wears the base splint: an ultra-thin 1.5 mm structure secured with an elastic cotton strap and an ergonomic, easy-to-fasten Velcro. Its geometry stabilizes the thumb joint, reducing pain under load.
At night, the patient slides on resting splints using a simple ``ring`` system. These splints keep fingers aligned in a natural position, mechanically preventing involuntary fist-closing. By neutralizing internal friction in the joints, painful morning stiffness and numbness are eliminated.
Tutores
Estudio
Máster en diseño y desarrollo de producto
