Application of 3-D Technology in Occupational Therapy to Enhance Safe Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD) for Patients with Renal Disease

Technology is a common element in our everyday lives. The goal of occupational therapy is to enhance or enable meaningful participation in the occupations (activities) important to the clients served. Occupational Therapist prescribes assistive technology device to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.

Ultra-bag Connecting Device (UC Device) was first invented and developed in 2006 through the conjoint effort of the Occupational Therapy Department and the Renal Team of United Christian Hospital (UCH). The device helps renal patients with impairment in eye hand function to perform Self-continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) in a safe and independent way. With the guidance of UC device, patients with hand tremor and visual impairment can perform continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) with lower risk of contamination. It also promotes the better quality of life, increase the independency of patient and hence reduce caregiver stress and burden. Until now, there were over 200 patients in Hong Kong benefit from UC Device and the device was widely recognized among health care professionals. UC Device was awarded Excellent Award in Asia Hospital Management Awards 2013 and the device was widely reported by press on 4/2013.

Since 2017, UCH Occupational Therapy Department has applied 3D printing technology in renal device fabrication. The digital model of the UC device is created with computer aided design (CAD) software. Different parts of subsets were then 3D printed with dual extruder and 100-micron layer resolution using Polylactic acid (PLA) filaments. With the assistance of 3D technologies, the renal devices can be fabricated more accurate and precise, also less expensive and less manpower required. In the future, more new renal devices can be invented to apply in different dialysis systems and benefit more patients. With the rapid development of 3D printing technology, it can promote more new creative assistive device invention to serve our patient needs.