OrbitalGuard
Scan • Print • Play (learn more...)
Injuries to the orbital bones are surprisingly common in sports where helmets and face masks are not worn during general play (basketball, cycling, field hockey, and soccer to name a few). The OrbitalGuard is designed to protect athletes from injuries to the orbital area of the face and is especially important for athletes who have already been injured. The OrbitalGuard is produced by a commercial 3-D printer from a 3-D scan of the patient's face. The scan captures the unique contours and proportions of the patient's face so the OrbitalGuard fits the patient's face perfectly. This allows athletes to resume activities within a few weeks that they would otherwise be barred from for many months. The tensile strength of the Nylon PA12, which is used to make the OrbitalGuard, is 50 MPa. That is 3.8 times stronger than the ultimate tensile strength of the orbital bones, according to the National Library of Medicine. Because the OrbitalGuard is smooth and closely follows contours of the face, it is legal to wear during competitions and doesn't interfere with the athlete's vision.
OrbitalGuard
Calista Boos, USA U18 Women's National Team Member, suffered an orbital injury in December 2023. Before being allowed to return to play, she was scanned for the first OrbitalGuard shipped to a player in the USA. The photograph, on right, was taken in January 2024, during her first tournament for which she was cleared to play.
The OrbitalGuard is $400, including shipping. Click here to purchase your OrbitalGuard.
Preparing to scan
An ultra-high-resolution camera is attached to an iPad and a special application is run to certify proper calibration.
Scanning app
After proper calibration is confirmed, a scanning app is opened on the iPad and the patient's information is added.
Image capture
A 3-D image that records all of the unique contours and proportions of the patient's face is captured by the app and the file is sent to a commercial 3-D printer.
OrbitalGuard printing
Padding and straps are added and the completed mask is sent to the patient so they can resume activities within a few weeks that they would otherwise be barred from for many months.
The OrbitalGuard is $400, including shipping. Click here to purchase your OrbitalGuard.
Special application
The OrbitalGuard can be produce with only one eye opening for athletes who would otherwise like to wear an eye patch. The OrbitalGuard accomplishes this while providing protection for the athlete's working eye.
The OrbitalGuard is $400, including shipping. Click here to purchase your OrbitalGuard.
Are you based in the USA and do you have patients who need an OrbitalGuard? If so, we would like to hear from you. Please complete this form.
