PENANG, 14 December 2020– The Mobile USM Custom Fit Wrist Brace is a custom-made external optimum support that provides stability and allows motion, and which caters to the process of healing and rehabilitation of wrist joint injuries. 

It was the brainchild of a group of researchers led by Professor Dr. Wan Faisham Nu’man Wan Ismail from the USM School of Medical Sciences.

According to Faisham, the innovation is a custom-fit thermoplastic external support that can provide stability with coaptation over bony prominence, which allows movement for early rehabilitation of wrist joint problem. 

“As it is strong and durable for early rehabilitation, it is useful in its application to avoid prolonged immobilisation; stable for early wrist exercise while offering comfort and safety,” he said. 

Regarding the potential for commercialisation, Faisham emphasised that the rehabilitation process is applicable for osteoporosis fracture in the elderly, complex high velocity wrist fracture in the young and sport wrist injuries.

“Thus, with the fast transfer of data and 3D printing, together with established courier networks, it will allow this technology to be shared and distributed worldwide,” he added.  

Alongside Faisham are his team members, Sahran Yahaya, Nor Azman Mat Zin, Syurahbil Abdul Halim, Muhammad Hafiz Hanafi, Mohd Salman Abu Mansor, Mohd Badri Shah Mat Yusoff, Al Hafiz Ibrahim, Mohd Hadizie Din, Rosli Mohamed Sayuti and Zolkifli Jusoh. 

Recently, the Mobile USM Custom Fit Wrist Brace won a gold medal at the 31^st International Invention, Innovation and Technology Exhibition (ITEX 2020) held in Kuala Lumpur.

This year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was held in a unique manner which required all participants to submit a video to demonstrate and explain their invention, following a new norm exhibition format and competition curated by the organisers of ITEX.

Despite the worldwide pandemic, the exhibition still managed to attract a large number of participants from 15 countries which represented 21 local universities, 5 research institutes and 1 corporate body.

Text: Hafiz Meah Ghouse Meah