The European research project MBrace is developing an innovative scoliosis corset made from modern composite materials. Designed to be lighter, more flexible and fashion-conscious, it improves the wearing comfort, mobility and treatment compliance of young patients. The design was developed at the HTWD. The recently released project film documents the work process.

Scoliosis is a lateral curvature of the spine. In children and adolescents, it can be corrected with an orthosis. Conventional scoliosis orthoses are rigid and restrict natural movement, but must be worn for up to 23 hours a day. This makes it particularly difficult for young patients to continue their treatment.

The European joint project MBrace, in which the TU Dresden, the Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden (IPF), the University of Kielce (Poland), research institutes in Belgium and the HTW Dresden were involved, has set itself the goal of changing this. The researchers developed a corset made from modern composite materials. By combining multi-matrix composites, modern high-performance fibres, AI-supported monitoring and fashion-conscious design, MBrace transforms orthoses into lighter, more flexible and more comfortable support aids, thereby improving mobility, well-being and therapy compliance.

User-centred design from the Faculty of Design at HTWD

The corset not only offers improved wearing comfort, but is also more orientated towards the needs of adolescent patients. The HTWD designers were responsible for the design of the corset. It was not just about the purely aesthetic aspect. The challenge was to integrate the different ways of thinking and research findings of the partners while keeping the needs of those affected in mind.

The project was funded by M-ERA.NET. The European network supports research in the field of material and battery technologies in order to promote the European Green Deal.