【3D Printing Applications】Agile 3D-Printed Fingers: A "New Start" in Life Is No Longer a Dream!
New Year, new progress, a good omen for 2020! The development of medical prosthetics has continuously advanced from merely mimicking appearance to integrating rehabilitation functions. Now, with 3D printing technology, these medical aids can be customized to individual differences. A new sensing system will combine with 3D printed components to provide patients with more detailed functionalities:
Medical myoelectric prostheses can effectively assist in rehabilitation and are also very suitable for adults with fully developed muscles. However, for young children under three years old who are still developing, bulky prostheses can make them difficult to use. Moreover, each type of prosthesis has a specific purpose, and if it doesn't match the patient's individual differences (e.g., height, weight), it can become a physical burden.
If young children do not wear prostheses from an early age, incorrect gripping methods can affect the development of motor nerves. The University of Lincoln in the UK has developed a new approach for 3D printed prosthetics for children under three.
The prosthesis shown below is 3D printed using an Ultimaker S5 with ABS filament. It is combined with a 3D scanner and sEMG system (a technology that places electrodes on the skin to detect muscle activity) to create an ergonomic pediatric myoelectric prosthesis (SIMPA). This makes the rehabilitation process easier for young children, and the earlier the prosthesis is used, the greater the chance of full recovery.
This 3D printed prosthetic arm is equipped with sensors that detect muscle activity, allowing for natural arm lifts, free finger movement, and gripping functions. It prevents other growth problems caused by incorrect muscle use, such as asymmetrical posture and musculoskeletal pain.
At the same time, using a 3D scanner can quickly simulate or measure the dimensions of the prosthetic arm, allowing for customized adjustments according to patient needs and replacing the discomfort caused by traditional plaster casting. 3D printed prosthetics are relatively low-cost and fast, and in the future, there is potential to develop more medical devices, enabling lower-income countries to adopt new assistive devices more easily.
As 3D printing continues to advance rapidly, in addition to general industrial applications, it is also creating new value in the medical industry, helping more students and patients gain a new lease on life and bringing them new possibilities. (Further reading: Smart Assistive Robot Wins "Million Maker" Award!)
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