Now that 3D printing has permeated the public consciousness and we're learning how much can really be done with the advanced technology, it was only a matter of time until someone tried printing some prosthetic limbs.
The story of this little boy and his robot hand should give you a warm and fuzzy feeling all over. Little Liam from South Africa was sadly born without fingers on his right hand. Thanks to Richard van As and Iwan Owen of Washington, the five year old boy was given a new robotic prosthetic limb that gave him use of his right hand for the first time ever. Thanks to the revolutionary 3D printing techniques, what normally would have cost upwards of $10,000 per finger only cost $150 to produce.
So not only is this an awesome story due to a young boy getting to use his hand for the first time thanks to prosthetic limbs printing, but he also gets to be Luke Skywalker from Star Wars!
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Affordable 3D Printed Prosthetics
- The use of 3D printing technology to create prosthetics for individuals at a lower cost than traditionally manufactured prosthetics.
- Customized 3D Printed Prosthetics
- The ability to create personalized prosthetic limbs tailored to the specific needs and preferences of each individual through 3D printing technology.
- Innovative 3D Printed Prosthetics
- The advancement of 3D printing technology and materials to create prosthetic limbs with advanced capabilities and features that were previously not possible.
Where This Applies
- Healthcare Industry
- 3D printing technology presents an opportunity for healthcare providers to offer affordable and customizable prosthetic limbs to their patients.
- Manufacturing Industry
- The use of 3D printing technology to create prosthetic limbs presents a disruptive innovation opportunity for manufacturers to offer cost-effective and personalized solutions.
- Technology Industry
- The development and advancement of 3D printing technology for prosthetic limbs presents an opportunity for the technology industry to invest in and innovate within the healthcare sector.
