In contrast to cosmetic or passive prosthetic devices, these active prostheses make the most of technology to provide people with disabilities better flexibility, sensations, control and an enhanced range of motions in their daily lives.
Before 3D printing was used to create custom prostheses, typically the process was costly in terms of time and money, especially if the aids were quickly outgrown. This technology now makes it possible for anyone to create their own bespoke designs, such as Fraser Leid's Printed Prehensile concept, which mimics the structure of the 27 bones that make up the human hand to closely recreate how this part of the skeleton looks and functions.
Other noteworthy innovations include artificial limbs developed by Austrian scientists that are capable of being bonded to nerve endings to reduce the feeling of having phantom limbs. Additionally, the Bebionic3 arm enables 360-degree wrist rotations and precise finger movements for better control.
30 High-Tech Prosthetic Devices
30
Elegant 3D-Printed Prosthetics
The Exo-Prosthetic Leg is Designed To Be Functional and Beautiful
29
Superhero-Inspired Hand Replacements
Bubba's 3D Printed Prosthetic Limb is Modelled After Iron Man
28
Heroic Limb Replacements
3D Printing Engineers Create Inspiring Superhero Prosthetic Arms for Kids
27
Stylish Prosthetic Covers
These Prosthetic Leg Covers Offer Opportunity for Self-Expression
26
Feeling-Restoring Prosthetic Hands
This Bionic Hand Restores the Feeling of Touch to Amputees
25
Bionic Prosthetic Limbs
This Bionic Arm is a Muscle-Controlled Prosthetic Limb
24
Smart Hand Prosthetics
The Handiii 3D Printed Bionic Arm Uses a Smartphone to Control Movement
23
Chic Prosthetic Covers
This Bulgarian Company is Merging Contemporary Fashion with Leg Prosthetics
22
Lifelike Artificial Limbs
These Futuristic Prosthetic Hands Closely Resemble the Human Form
21
Streamlined Prosthetic Flippers
The Elle Swimming Suit Enables Amputees to Compete and Swim Meets
20
Female-Friendly Prosthetics
These Bebionic Hands Are Designed For Women and Teens
19
Customizable Athletic Prosthetics
The Versa Foot is a Custom Prosthetic Foot for Extreme Sports
18
Rock Climber Prosthetic Legs
Klippa by Kai Lin Allows Disabled to Indulge Their Outdoor Passions
17
Bionic Prosthetic Hands
The LifeHand 2 Artificial Arm May Bring Back Feelings That Were Once Lost
16
Growing Leg Prosthetics
The FIT Adjustable Prosthetic Grows with Its User
15
Futuristic Prosthetic Limbs
The i-Limb Ultra Revolution is an Amazingly Advanced Prosthetic Device
14
Impressive Football Prostheses
The Impetus Soccer Prosthesis Enables Amputees to Play More Sports
13
Mind-Controlled Prosthetics
These Prosthetic Arms Are Controlled By Amputees' Minds
12
Prosthetic Musical Instruments
Prosthetic Advancements are Bringing Music Back to Amputees
11
Brain-Operated Bionic Arms
This Mind-Controlled Prosthetic is From the Inventor of the Segway
10
DIY Free-Sourced Prosthetics
These Prosthetic Hand Designs Will Help Out Any Family in Need
9
Affordable Prosthetic Nipples
Michelle Kolath-Arbel Created an Affordable Way to Cope Post Surgery
8
DIY Building Block Limbs
Christina Stephens Creates Her Own Prosthetic Leg out of LEGO
7
3D-Printed Jaws
This 3D-Printed Jaw Was Made For An Indian Cancer Patient
6
Arm-Replacing Robotic Limbs
The ‘Arduino Robotic Arm’ is Realistically Simulates Arm M
5
Printed Superhero Prosthetics
A Group of Eighth Graders Created This 3D-Printed Arm for a Child
4
Mind-Controlled Prosthetic Arms
This Robotic Arm Reacts Faster Than Other Thought-Controlled Arms
3
Mind-Controlled Prosthetics
This Prosthetic Arm Attaches Directly to Patients' Skeletons
2
Thought-Controlled Bionic Legs
Ossur's Prosthetic Leg is Controlled By Subconscious Thoughts
1
Sensation-Restoring Prosthetics
These Artificial Limbs are Rewired to a Patient's Nerve Endings
Related Ideas
Elegant 3D-Printed Prosthetics
The Exo-Prosthetic Leg is Designed To Be Functional and Beautiful
Anatomical Thumb Drives
The USB Finger is a Clever Comment on Practical Tech-Age Prosthetics
Superhero-Inspired Hand Replacements
Bubba's 3D Printed Prosthetic Limb is Modelled After Iron Man
Bionic Advancement in Health
This Bionic Limbs Keynote by Hugh Herr Explores the Future of Limbs
Anatomically Correct Tops
The Ta-Ta Top Normalizes the Female Anatomy
Vibrant Deity Photos
'Darshan' Comprises Photographically Recreated Images of Hindu Gods
Heroic Limb Replacements
3D Printing Engineers Create Inspiring Superhero Prosthetic Arms for Kids
Custom 3D-Printed Footwear
Feetz Offers Personalized Shoes That Blend Sleek Design With Comfort
Ultrasound-Healing Medical Casts
Osteoid by Deniz Karasahin is a Stylish and Practical Alternative
3D Breast Tattoos
These 3D Nipple Tattoos are for Female Cancer Surivivors
Stylish Prosthetic Covers
These Prosthetic Leg Covers Offer Opportunity for Self-Expression
Feeling-Restoring Prosthetic Hands
This Bionic Hand Restores the Feeling of Touch to Amputees
Smart Hand Prosthetics
The Handiii 3D Printed Bionic Arm Uses a Smartphone to Control Movement
Chic Prosthetic Covers
This Bulgarian Company is Merging Contemporary Fashion with Leg Prosthetics
Laser Cut Lighting
The Bionic Floor Lamp by Ol'ha Shevchenko is Intricately Futuristic
Female Anatomy Accessories
The Booby Ring by Nora Kogan is a Cheeky Play on Traditional Jewelry
Streamlined Prosthetic Flippers
The Elle Swimming Suit Enables Amputees to Compete and Swim Meets
Bionic Eye Implants
Second Sight's Argus II Gives The Gift of Vision to the Blind
Female-Friendly Prosthetics
These Bebionic Hands Are Designed For Women and Teens
Instant-Printed Schnozes
The 3D-Printed Nose May Be Available for Trauma Patients Within a Year
3D-Printed Canine Prostheses
Derby the Dog Can Run Thanks to 3D-Printed Prosthetic Legs
Customizable Athletic Prosthetics
The Versa Foot is a Custom Prosthetic Foot for Extreme Sports
Restorative Cancer Cosmetic Procedures
Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day Unites Survivors
Rock Climber Prosthetic Legs
Klippa by Kai Lin Allows Disabled to Indulge Their Outdoor Passions
Custom Eyelash Tools
Voir is the World's First Lash Curler Customized to Fit All Eye Shapes
3D-Printed Tortoise Shells
A Bespoke Shell Extends the Life of an Unwell Tortoise
Bionic Prosthetic Hands
The LifeHand 2 Artificial Arm May Bring Back Feelings That Were Once Lost
Futuristic Prosthetic Limbs
The i-Limb Ultra Revolution is an Amazingly Advanced Prosthetic Device
Protective External Ligaments
The Custom 3D Printed Exo-L is Designed to Prevent Ankle Sprains
Impressive Football Prostheses
The Impetus Soccer Prosthesis Enables Amputees to Play More Sports
Mind-Controlled Prosthetics
These Prosthetic Arms Are Controlled By Amputees' Minds
3D-Printed Insoles
SOLS Creates Custom Orthotics with the Help of Instant Technology
Prosthetic Musical Instruments
Prosthetic Advancements are Bringing Music Back to Amputees
Brain-Operated Bionic Arms
This Mind-Controlled Prosthetic is From the Inventor of the Segway
Sports-Branded Prosthetics
This Diehard Fan Got the Seahawks Logo on his Artificial Eyeball
Affordable Prosthetic Nipples
Michelle Kolath-Arbel Created an Affordable Way to Cope Post Surgery
3D Printed Back Braces
This Fashionable and Personalized Scoliosis Brace is Targeted Towards Teens
Bionic Sculpting Gloves
This Carving Glove Allows Users to Intricately Carve Wood & Stone
3D-Printed Jaws
This 3D-Printed Jaw Was Made For An Indian Cancer Patient
Palpable 3D Natural Eyes
These 3D Printed Prosthetic Eyes are Made of Glass and Acrylic
Restorative Prosthetic Limbs
This New System Restores Your Sense of Touch in Your Prosthetic Hand
Mind-Controlled Prosthetic Arms
This Robotic Arm Reacts Faster Than Other Thought-Controlled Arms
3D-Printed Turtle Prosthetics
This 3D-Printed Prosthesis Was Implanted Onto Stumpy the Turtle
Mind-Controlled Prosthetics
This Prosthetic Arm Attaches Directly to Patients' Skeletons
Thought-Controlled Bionic Legs
Ossur's Prosthetic Leg is Controlled By Subconscious Thoughts