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Analysis of institutional authors

Haro, FbAuthorD'Amato, RCorresponding Author

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August 16, 2021
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Development of a Smart Leg Splint by Using New Sensor Technologies and New Therapy Possibilities

Publicated to: SENSORS. 21 (15): 5252- - 2021-08-01 21(15), DOI: 10.3390/s21155252

Authors:

De Agustin Del Burgo, Jose Maria; Haro, Fernando Blaya; D'Amato, Roberto; Blaya, Alonso; Juanes Mendez, Juan Antonio
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Affiliations

Univ Europea Madrid, Dept Fisioterapia, Madrid 28670, Spain - Author
Univ Politecn Madrid UPM, ETSIDI Dept Ingn Mecan Quim & Diseno Ind, Ronda Valencia 3, Madrid 28012, Spain - Author
Univ Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, Salamanca 37007, Spain - Author
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Abstract

Nowadays, after suffering a fracture in an upper or lower limb, a plaster cast is placed on the affected limb. It is a very old and efficient technique for recovery from an injury that has not had significant changes since its origin. This project aims to develop a new low-cost smart 3D printed splint concept by using new sensing techniques. Two rapidly evolving Advanced Manufacturing (AM) technologies will be used: 3D scanning and 3D printing, thus combining engineering, medicine and materials evolution. The splint will include new small and lightweight sensors to detect any problem during the treatment process. Previous studies have already incorporated this kind of sensor for medical purposes. However, in this study it is implemented with a new concept: the possibility of applying treatments during the immobilization process and obtaining information from the sensors to modify the treatment. Due to this, rehabilitation treatments like infrared, ultrasounds or electroshock may be applied during the treatment, and the sensors (as it is showed in the study) will be able to detect changes during the rehabilitation process. Data of the pressure, temperature, humidity and colour of the skin will be collected in real time and sent to a mobile device so that they can be consulted remotely by a specialist. Moreover, it would be possible to include these data into the Internet of Things movement. This way, all the collected data might be compared and studied in order to find the best treatment for each kind of injury. It will be necessary to use a biocompatible material, submersible and suitable for contact with skin. These materials make it necessary to control the conditions in which the splint is produced, to assure that the properties are maintained. This development, makes it possible to design a new methodology that will help to provide faster and easier treatment.
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Keywords

3-d printing3d printersAdvanced manufacturingAm techniqueBiocompatibilityCustomized medicineHealth monitoringHumidityImmobilization processInflammationIontophoresisIotLevel laser therapyLightweight sensorsLower extremityLower limbMedicinePainPlaster castsPrinting, three-dimensionalRehabilitation therapySensing techniquesSensor technologiesSmart splintSplintSplintsTemperatureTendinopathyThree dimensional printingTreatment processUltrasound

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal SENSORS due to its progression and the good impact it has achieved in recent years, according to the agency Scopus (SJR), it has become a reference in its field. In the year of publication of the work, 2021, it was in position , thus managing to position itself as a Q1 (Primer Cuartil), in the category Instrumentation.

Independientemente del impacto esperado determinado por el canal de difusión, es importante destacar el impacto real observado de la propia aportación.

Según las diferentes agencias de indexación, el número de citas acumuladas por esta publicación hasta la fecha 2026-04-08:

  • WoS: 1
  • Scopus: 3
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Impact and social visibility

From the perspective of influence or social adoption, and based on metrics associated with mentions and interactions provided by agencies specializing in calculating the so-called "Alternative or Social Metrics," we can highlight as of 2026-04-08:

  • The use, from an academic perspective evidenced by the Altmetric agency indicator referring to aggregations made by the personal bibliographic manager Mendeley, gives us a total of: 41.
  • The use of this contribution in bookmarks, code forks, additions to favorite lists for recurrent reading, as well as general views, indicates that someone is using the publication as a basis for their current work. This may be a notable indicator of future more formal and academic citations. This claim is supported by the result of the "Capture" indicator, which yields a total of: 41 (PlumX).

With a more dissemination-oriented intent and targeting more general audiences, we can observe other more global scores such as:

  • The Total Score from Altmetric: 2.
  • The number of mentions on the social network X (formerly Twitter): 2 (Altmetric).

It is essential to present evidence supporting full alignment with institutional principles and guidelines on Open Science and the Conservation and Dissemination of Intellectual Heritage. A clear example of this is:

  • The work has been submitted to a journal whose editorial policy allows open Open Access publication.
  • Assignment of a Handle/URN as an identifier within the deposit in the Institutional Repository: https://oa.upm.es/92725/

As a result of the publication of the work in the institutional repository, statistical usage data has been obtained that reflects its impact. In terms of dissemination, we can state that, as of

  • Views: 33
  • Downloads: 17
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Leadership analysis of institutional authors

the author responsible for correspondence tasks has been D'Amato, Roberto.

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