【3D Printing Application】A Medical Leap Forward! Helping Muscular Dystrophy Patients with Ultimaker?
How Ultimaker helps muscular dystrophy patients? Check out the innovative work of Dr. Matthew and local student Krystyna! Over the past few years, Dr. Matthew Dickinso of the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) in the UK has been involved in the " Junior Engineer MacRobert Award," which recognizes leading creative problem-solvers in engineering innovation. Through this award, Matthew collaborated with a local student, Krystyna, on a research project using the Ultimaker S5, which was recognized at the UN COP26 conference.
Krystyna's cousin has Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), and she came up with an SMA jacket based on the concept of an exoskeleton. She named this design the "exoskeleton," which provides support and extra strength to the patient's back muscles and spine. Her invention was one of only three inventions nationwide to win a gold medal among six recipients!
Krystyna with the exoskeleton model
The initial idea was to build the exoskeleton from aluminum. However, when considering the growth rate of children and the subsequent need for the exoskeleton to adapt, the cost was simply too high. This led Matthew to think: what if he used 3D printing? By producing low-cost 3D printed components, this technology offers a high level of customization and repeatability, making the exoskeleton jacket a solution for injury prevention and rehabilitation.
Matthew initially designed the first generation of the exoskeleton using an Ultimaker 2+ printer and began prototyping with PLA. The results were promising and inspired further development, but the geometries that could be designed and printed were limited by the single print head.
Matthew initially designed the first generation of the exoskeleton using an Ultimaker 2+ printer and began prototyping with PLA. The results were promising and inspired further development, but the geometries that could be designed and printed were limited by the single print head.
To overcome this limitation, Matthew switched to the Ultimaker S5 with its dual print heads, which not only opened up new material combinations and possibilities but also helped advance the project. The second-generation exoskeleton used the S5 to test external materials of nylon and TPU with a PLA core to identify the best performing materials for producing body-conforming components—soft on the outside, rigid on the inside.
Utilizing the Ultimaker system, Matthew optimized the process using Ultimaker Digital Factory software. Its ability to remotely print and monitor progress also allowed Matthew to work from any location. The analytics built into Cura and Digital Factory software calculated material costs and print times, enabling him to plan the exoskeleton's production and research ways to reduce costs in the next generation.
Utilizing the Ultimaker system, Matthew optimized the process using Ultimaker Digital Factory software. Its ability to remotely print and monitor progress also allowed Matthew to work from any location. The analytics built into Cura and Digital Factory software calculated material costs and print times, enabling him to plan the exoskeleton's production and research ways to reduce costs in the next generation.
An exoskeleton is an externally worn assistive mechanical device used to aid movement or prevent injury.
By using the Ultimaker S5, Krystyna's idea to improve her cousin's life went from concept and design to prototyping and manufacturing in just six months. Matthew stated that without the reliability and repeatability of the Ultimaker S5 combined with Ultimaker Digital Factory software, he would not have been able to complete the project in such a short time. After its completion, the project was selected as the inaugural winner of the 2021 Junior Engineer MacRobert Award.
Matthew also became a subcommittee chair member of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), advising on international exoskeleton standards to ensure safe manufacturing of exoskeletons for human use. His involvement with ASTM has allowed him to communicate with international organizations such as Ford, Boeing, NASA, and the UK Space Agency. Matthew and ASTM are working together, hoping to see the accessibility of exoskeletons soar in the near future. He believes that everyone will use 3D printing to replace parts at home, reducing reliance on waiting for manufacturers to produce them.
Did you enjoy this sharing? 3D printing can also shine in the medical field, releasing student ideas while achieving valuable innovation. Industrial technology is within reach, and there are many choices for desktop and industrial models, available for your wide range of applications. 3DMart provides more than just3D printing. Contact us now to learn more application examples.
Follow ourFacebook page and don't miss out on new information:https://www.facebook.com/3dmart.com.tw/
If you're interested in making your own exoskeleton, you can download all the components here.
Reference
Did you enjoy this sharing? 3D printing can also shine in the medical field, releasing student ideas while achieving valuable innovation. Industrial technology is within reach, and there are many choices for desktop and industrial models, available for your wide range of applications. 3DMart provides more than just3D printing. Contact us now to learn more application examples.
Follow ourFacebook page and don't miss out on new information:https://www.facebook.com/3dmart.com.tw/
If you're interested in making your own exoskeleton, you can download all the components here.
Reference