How 3D Printed Prosthetics Are Changing Lives

When people think of 3D printing, they usually imagine personalized home decorations, customized jewelry, and even 3D printed food. What many don’t realize, though, is that this technology is becoming widely used in various industries. One of the most inspiring examples of the capabilities of this technology can be seen in the medical field, specifically in the creation of prosthetics for those have lost a limb.

Benefits Of 3D Printing Prosthetics

The technology of prosthetics has been steadily improving over the years. It has evolved from wooden toes in Ancient Egypt and heavy iron hands in the 16^th century (and of course the wooden legs we all know pirates had) to contemporary custom-fit prosthetics that have microprocessors as well as pneumatic and hydraulic controls to promote natural movement.

These are evidence of the prosthetic industry’s steady progress, but it’s important to note that it doesn’t stop there. The entire sector has been revolutionized by the arrival of 3D printing, leverages modern technology to change the lives of ordinary people, many of whom could never have afforded conventional high-tech prosthetics.

Removing Barriers by Reducing Costs

As of 2013, the cost of a prosthetic is estimated to be around $5,000 to $50,000, depending on the level of sophistication. If that doesn’t already seem prohibitive, consider that according to the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, even expensive prosthetics are only designed to handle a maximum of five years’ worth of wear and tear.

What do this mean for amputees? For kids and teens who have lost a limb, it could result in a huge financial burden on their parents. Children grow up so fast, so they’d need to change their prosthetics every few years (or even months) to ensure that their artificial limb matches their height as well as the size and shape of their body. Add this to the fact that most kids are active and have the tendency to break things, and it’s easy to see that families will have to spend a lot on prosthetics — if they can afford to spend at all. For low-income families that are barely struggling to feed themselves, paying for an artificial limb is simply not an option.

Of course, the financial burdens are no less severe for adult amputees. This is where 3D printed prosthetics come in.

3D printers have become less and less expensive over the years (with some costing less than $500), allowing ordinary folks to have access to them. Even those who can’t afford a printer can still get a prosthetic with the help of organizations that have dedicated themselves to helping amputees in need. The Enable Community Foundation (ECF), for example, creates a prosthetic hand for those in developing countries.

Amazingly, they can produce these hands for only $50 per unit. And these aren’t simply hand-shaped: these things actually move. The fingers can be opened and closed, restoring a degree of movement and control that might otherwise have been lost forever. This would probably not be possible without 3D printing.

Giving Access to More People Access

The reduction in prosthetic costs greatly increases its accessibility. Lower 3D printer prices, for one thing, allow more people to buy their own printer, or at least means that access to 3D printers is easier to come by. Once they have access to a 3D printer, anyone can can download free files from various organizations like e-NABLE. All that is needed to create their own prosthetics is to feed the CAD design into a 3D printer.. It also offers instructions, workflows and other resources as well as tutorial videos for those who want to make their own prosthetic hand.

Of course, 3D printers are not available everywhere. Still, their reduced prices means that organizations providing free prosthetics can reach more people in developing countries. ECF, for instance, has recently visited Haiti and offered its services to people who lost their limbs because of the 2010 earthquake as well as for other reasons. Their 3D-printed hands have given many Haitians a new lease of life — something that would have been difficult (if not impossible) if ECF did not have access to 3D printing technologies.

Improving Physical Independence

Losing a limb will always result to physical and mobility problems; hand amputees will have problems with picking up objects, while leg amputees will have difficulties with maintaining balance and getting around. Nothing will ever replace real limbs, but prosthetics are the next-best thing. They make it easier for people to regain their balance, do basic tasks, and be on the road to independence. And they’re getting better and better.

The good news is that everyone can enjoy greater independence with 3D printing technologies. Many 3D printed hands, for instance, have a grasping motion that allows people to pick up cups, toys, and other small objects. 3D printed legs, of course, help with balance and movement. As a result, mobility and physical independence are no longer limited to those who can afford to get a traditional prosthetic and replace it with a new one once it’s worn or broken. Anyone who has access to a 3D printer, or knows of an organization that does, can now have a prosthetic that will allow them to do things on their own.

Helping Heal Emotional Pain

Losing a limb is far from easy. Children have to deal with the fact that they can no longer be as active as before and may even have to endure teasing and bullying from their peers. Adults, meanwhile, will have to find ways to stay productive and efficient and maintain their self-esteem when they no longer have their hand or leg.

It’s even worse for people in certain countries and cultures. Haitians, for example, often face stigma in a society that looks down on people who are not “whole” and may even have to deal with abandonment from their own family. This lack of emotional care, not to mention physical support, can make life even harder for people who are still reeling from the loss they have suffered.

Fortunately, 3D printing can help alleviate the emotional suffering that amputees face. The fact that they can now regain a degree of mobility and independence can give their self-esteem a boost and make them more confident in themselves and their abilities. This, in turn, allow them to imagine a better future and motivate themselves to achieve their goals.

The Future of 3D Printed Prosthetics

With the advantages listed above, it can’t be denied that 3D printing has become an important part of the prosthetics industry. The best thing about this is that the technology is not static; it’s steadily evolving as new discoveries are made and existing methods are improved with innovative methods. Here’s what we can expect from 3D printed prosthetics in the future:

New Technologies

Traditional prosthetics are getting a makeover with bionic propulsion systems, processors that predict the user’s movements, and other innovations. Ultimately, these exciting technologies will make their way to 3D printed prosthetics, allowing people to have access to these improvements and enjoy better mobility and more control over their life.

More Support From Advocacy Groups

With the increasing availability of 3D printed prosthetics, it’s highly likely that organizations such as e-NABLE and the Enable Community Foundation will continue their work. In fact, there’s a chance that more organizations will be formed once more people realize the impact that 3D printing prosthetics have. This, in turn, means that more people will have access to low-cost but highly effective prosthetics that can change their lives.

Improved and More Customized Designs

When we say “design”, we actually talk about both form and function. In terms of appearance, 3D printed prosthetics are far from ugly. In fact, many units nowadays can come in various colors that delight kids, and some can be made to match the skin tone of the wearer, which often appeals to adults.

It’s fair to say, though, that improvements in technology will make prosthetics even more visually appealing. They can be made to look exactly like real limbs so that the wearers won’t stand out from the crowd and feel self-conscious. They can also be decorated with artistic designs, such as the elegant swirls that Natasha Hope-Simpson has on her prosthetic leg. Hope-Simpson was involved in a hit-and-run accident that led to the amputation of her leg, but she decided to bounce back by wearing a prosthetic that featured intricate artwork.

Conclusion

Creating customized designs for 3D printed prosthetics is already happening. Over the next few years, it can become the norm. While ready-made designs are amazing, the ability for people to create customized pieces like Hope-Simpsons opens up a whole new vista of possibilities.

One of the best way to do this is to hire a medical device designer from Cad Crowd. We have a large network of freelancers who have worked = individual inventors and large corporations on all kinds of projects, from medical devices to electrical engineering. Clients just have to tell us their ideas for their prosthetic, and we’ll connect them with a pre-qualified designer whom we believe can bring their concepts to life. Our clients can even hold crowdsourced design competitions if they want to get different creative ideas from different designers.

If you need help with customized prosthetics and other medical devices, contact us here at Cad Crowd and get a quote. It’s free and doesn’t come with any obligation; it’s simply a way for us to understand how we can assist you and provide you with the best possible services. We’ll analyze your project and connect you with one of our top-tier design freelancers whose skills and experience match your requirements.