3D-Printed Prosthetics Examples in Real-Life
Prosthetics 3D printing refers to the process of designing and creating artificial, wearable limbs, hands, and arms using 3D printers. In comparison to conventional manufacturing techniques, this one is quite recent. 3D-printed prosthetics offer a viable solution for patients worldwide because the materials required to make them are readily accessible and relatively lightweight.
Many businesses are now investing in 3D-printed prosthetics, with the goal of making them accessible to everyone who needs them. The cost of a home 3D printer is significantly lower than that of a conventional prosthetic limb, and there are even do-it-yourself options that don't require any initial investment to build.
This post will focus on the top 3D-printed prosthetics currently available, highlighting their potential and successful features. What follows will astound you.
What Are 3D-Printed Prosthetics?
Artificial limbs and assistance devices created using 3D printing technology are known as 3D-printed prostheses. The production of conventional prosthetics can be a lengthy and costly process; in contrast, 3D-printed prosthetics enable rapid customization at a significantly lower cost. The demands and purposes of the device dictate the material choice for these prosthetics, which can range from metals to polymers and resins.
Compared to traditional prosthetics, 3D-printed prosthetics offer several advantages. Due to their great adaptability, they can be fine-tuned to match the specific anatomy of each user. Improved convenience and ease of use are the results of this personalization. Additionally, people in low-income areas or those without proper health insurance can afford prosthetics due to the decreased production costs. Particularly important for people in critical need, the rapidity of production ensures that prosthetics will reach patients promptly.
Types of Common 3D-Printed Prosthetics
Patients can choose from a wide range of 3D-printed prostheses tailored to their specific needs. The following case studies provide detailed information about some of the most common types.
1. 3D-Printed Hands and Arms
Prosthetic limbs made from 3D printing are very popular. These gadgets can range from as basic as a design to as complex as a prosthetic that moves in tandem with the user's natural hand. It is possible to type, grip a pen, and grasp objects with the help of several of these prosthetics, as they incorporate mechanical or electronic components.
Real-Life Example: The "Hero Arm" by Open Bionics
Currently, 3D printing is the most preferred method for developing prosthetic limbs. They can be as small as a design on a piece of paper or as complex as a robotic-like prosthetic with dexterity comparable to that of a human hand. Some of these prosthetics incorporate mechanical or electronic features, enabling the user to type or pick up a pen, among other activities.
For instance, the company Open Bionics produces a rather sophisticated cyberopian called the “Hero Arm” that is made through 3D printing. Not only does this device feature a multi-grip design, but it can also be helpful for individuals who have lost an arm below the elbow, such as when washing dishes, gardening, or using a time-tested technique like breaking eggs. It contains a number of sensors; the pre-set grips are controlled by the muscle activity desired in the residual limb.
An example is a British girl, Tilly Lockey, who lost her hands due to meningitis that attacked her when she was only 15 months old.
Tilly is one of the first young patients to use Hero Arm, which has helped her become more confident and independent, making daily activities easier. Adding to her confidence, she had prosthetic hero arms, which were painted to resemble superheroes, as she loved Them. Tilly previously advocated for 3D-printed prosthetics and is currently an ambassador for the Hero Arm, making a difference through accessible, adjustable, and affordable prosthetics for young people. The story of the Hero Arm demonstrates that with 3D printing, it is possible to create prosthetics that not only improve movement abilities but also help boost the patient's mental state.
2. 3D-Printed Legs and Feet
People who have had their lower limbs amputated can regain mobility in their feet and legs with the help of prostheses made using 3D printing technology. These prosthetics can range from very basic, allowing the user to walk, to highly complex, enabling the user to run or even climb stairs. Strength, durability, and portability are the defining characteristics of the materials utilized to construct these prosthetics.
Real-Life Example: Project Daniel in South Sudan
Innovative programs like Project Daniel utilize 3D printing to create prosthetic limbs for individuals in war-torn areas who have lost a limb. When Not Impossible Labs founder Mick Ebeling heard about a youngster named Daniel Omar from South Sudan who had lost both arms in a blast, he knew it was time to start a project to help him.
An explosion severed Daniel's arms when he was only fourteen years old. Daniel, who lived in a rural region with few medical facilities, would likely never have the chance to receive conventional prosthetic limbs. After much deliberation, Mick Ebeling and his group chose to act. They traveled to South Sudan, established a 3D printing facility, and taught local residents how to use the machines to create prosthetic limbs at a low cost.
Daniel was the first person to receive a 3D-printed arm as a result of this initiative. Since the prosthetic was tailor-made for him, he is now able to feed himself and perform other vital activities. As a result of Project Daniel's success, the team is now making prosthetic limbs for other amputees in the area. Not only has the project helped people like Daniel physically, but it has also empowered local communities to create similar devices by providing them with the necessary knowledge and resources.
3. 3D-Printed Finger Prosthetics
A method to regain partial hand function for those who have lost a finger or more is through the use of a 3D-printed finger prosthesis. The user can perform tasks such as typing or grasping small objects with the help of these prosthetics, which are often simple yet effective. Custom-fitted finger prosthetics can enhance functionality and create the illusion of having more natural fingertips.
Real-Life Example: Kieran's 3D-Printed Finger
A little boy named Kieran from the United Kingdom was born with symbrachydactyly, a disorder that leaves one hand deficient in digits. Kieran's parents were hell-bent on finding a way to make life more normal for their kid. Because of the high cost and limited selection of traditional prosthetics, they resorted to 3D printing.
Team UnLimbited volunteers helped fit Kieran with a 3D-printed finger prosthetic. The lightweight and functional prosthetic allowed Kieran to take part in activities that were previously difficult for him, such as playing with toys and grasping items. They also made sure it looked good so Kieran would feel good about himself in social settings.
This case study demonstrates the potential of 3D printing to meet unique customer needs by developing personalized solutions. Having a 3D-printed finger has greatly improved Kieran's quality of life by giving him more freedom and allowing him to participate more actively in his environment.
4. 3D-Printed Prosthetic Eyes
Another less prevalent use of this technology is the 3D printing of prosthetic eyes. These artificial eyes are primarily for display; they closely mimic the appearance of real eyes. To create a 3D-printed eye, one must first scan the natural eye and use the scan data to design a lifelike replacement. Even though they cannot restore lost vision, these prosthetics can make a significant difference in how a person feels about themselves after losing an eye.
The First 3D-Printed Prosthetic Eye: A Real-Life Example
In November 2021, a man from the United Kingdom, Steve Verze, was the first person to decide to have a fully 3D-printed prosthetic eye. For someone who had been wearing an acrylic prosthetic for many years as a result of an eye injury in childhood, creepy eyes, as they are referred to in a traditional prosthetic procedure, were relatively slow to create and took weeks to fit. However, the 3D-printed eye of his character was made within two weeks and fitted only once. A click of Steve’s eye socket was conducted and then converted to a digital format where an actual eye was designed by the 3D printer in a similar mannerism as the real one.
A high-resolution scan of Steve’s eye socket was initially taken to help generate a detailed model of it. Due to this model, a high resolution of 3D printer was used, and an artificial eye was successfully made. Therefore, he was able to have a prosthetic eye that did not even look fake and was almost indistinguishable from a real eye.
To sum up, it is safe to say that the 3D-printed eye had a tremendously positive impact on Steve. More than feeling satisfied with his old acrylic eye, he said he felt relatively secure with the prosthetic. The fact that this 3D prosthetic eye is created faster, more comfortably, and is visually more appealing than the traditional artificial eye makes this prosthetic eye a giant leap in the field of ocular prosthetics.
If you would like to prepare prosthetics in CAD software or to slice them, you can use SelfAD. SelfCAD is a user-friendly 3D design program that provides a range of features and tools to help you create files from scratch or edit existing ones. You can also import 3D scans and edit and clean them up in the software. The video below shows how to clean 3D scans in SelfCAD.
The software also comes with an in-built online slicer that you can use to slice your designs and generate the G-code to send to your 3D printer.
Transforming Prosthetic Care with 3D Printing
Three-dimensional prosthetics are cheap, flexible, and readily available, and they are transforming lives. In 3D printing, numerous options are available for prosthetic equipment, including limbs, eyes, legs, hands, and arms. Some examples of the real-world impacts of this technology on society include the Hero Arm, Project Daniel, and the world’s first prosthetic eye printed by a 3D printer. If future development in restoring barriers and making affordable 3D printing prosthetics available to everyone is to occur, then the concepts of innovation and collaboration will form the basis of our progress.
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