Schlagwort: 3D printed prosthetics

  • Thermoplastic Carbon Fiber 3D Printed Prosthetic Sockets May Be Strongest Yet

    Thermoplastic Carbon Fiber 3D Printed Prosthetic Sockets May Be Strongest Yet

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    BASF and Essentium have collaborated to bring to market 3D printed prosthetic sockets that promise to be more durable.

    Chemicals company BASF and 3D industrial solutions provider Essentium, have partnered to launch 3D printed thermoplastic carbon fiber prosthetic sockets. Clinicians can easily customize the sockets to provide an even more comfortable fit for patients.

    Using BASF’s Ultramid polyamide with short carbon fiber, the 3D printed prosthetics are both lightweight, yet tough. At the same time, they are more flexible than traditional carbon fiber.

    The thermoplastic material also makes it easier to make small adjustments of 2-3mm to accommodate physical changes of patients.

    “It’s a rewarding process to develop the formulation in the lab with Essentium and then turn that resin into a real material, knowing it can impact prosthetic patients in a positive way,” said Oleksandra Korotchuk, New Market Development Scout, Performance Materials at BASF. “It’s a true validation of the partnership. [We] will continue to uncover new materials and techniques that will unlock advanced design and speed capabilities.”

    The sockets have been tested with clinicians and patients at Anew Life Prosthetics and Orthotics, (ALPO) a US-based clinic. ALPO validated the technology and provided real patient feedback on the TriFusion 3D printed sockets. According to Chris Casteel, owner of ALPO:

    “Just like anything else, it’s one thing to hear about a product like this. [It’s] another thing to actually feel and touch it. We received extremely positive feedback from patients on the 3D printed test sockets. [It] is incredible to see and feel how well they fit. This is a huge success for the prosthetic industry and I look forward to seeing what comes next.”


    TriFusion prosthetic. (Image: TriFusion)

    3D printing significantly speeds up prosthetic development

    Although the FDA does not yet officially regulate 3D printed prosthetics, Essentium and BASF chose to adhere to strict standards set out in the regulatory body’s guidelines for Additive Manufacturing (December 2017). The guide provides a 30-step manufacturing process and devices are hand-inspected before being shipped.

    Traditionally, clinicians take three days to mold and cast the carbon fiber sockets. 3D printing has significantly sped up that process to just 24 hours. In addition, the development minimizes fit errors and parts rarely require adjustment. Blake Teipel, president and co-founder of Essentium added:

    “The materials used in these definitive sockets have the power to open up people’s lives to more mobility and more freedom. As we propel 3D printing of functional parts, we’re proud to make a prosthetic that’s more customized, lightweight, affordable and comfortable for the patient, and make the production process easier and more efficient for the clinician.”

    In the future, the two companies are looking to produce 3D printed prosthetics that include rigid and flexible TPU elements. This may increase comfort and is expected to launch in 2018.

    Source: BASF

    License: The text of „Thermoplastic Carbon Fiber 3D Printed Prosthetic Sockets May Be Strongest Yet“ by All3DP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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  • Researchers 3D Print Tremor Suppression Glove to Help Parkinson’s Patients

    Researchers 3D Print Tremor Suppression Glove to Help Parkinson’s Patients

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    Researchers from Western University have developed a functional prototype of a new tremor suppression glove. This device aims to provide more independence to patients suffering from Parkinson’s Disease. 

    Across the world, there are around 10 million people with Parkinson’s disease, a neurodegenerative disorder that causes a loss of dopaminergic neurons in the area of the brain known as the substantia nigra.

    This progressive disease greatly hinders a patient’s motor skills, causing uncontrollable tremors, loss of balance, among other debilitating symptoms. Unfortunately, those suffering from Parkinson’s disease struggle to perform everyday activities like eating or getting dressed.

    Looking to improve the quality of life for Parkinson’s patients, a team of researchers from Western University have developed a new tremor suppression glove.

    The device utilizes a series of motors and sensors to help distinguish between the voluntary motions of a patient and the involuntary tremors that stem from the disease. A number of the key components included in this functional prototype were 3D printed.


    3D Printed Tremor Suppression Glove Aims to Provide Independence to Parkinson’s Patients

    The 3D printed tremor suppression glove took four years to complete. The research team is currently waiting on ethics approval to test the assistive device on Parkinson’s patients. Western University has already developed the software that controls the glove. The software program was created with the help of research subjects with Parkinson’s disease.

    “I believe that with a technology like this, could remain independent for longer. They could perform activities of daily living in a more effective manner for a longer amount of time,” said Ana Luisa Trejos, an assistant professor in Western’s department of electrical and computer engineering.

    The 3D printed prototype is able filter out and suppress tremors, while still allowing the voluntary motions to transpire. This is advantageous over previous glove designs, which can only stop tremors by suppressing all motion in the hand and wrist.

    Led by Trejos, the researchers designed the 3D printed glove prototype to fit the left hand of graduate student Yue Zhou. In the future, the assistive device will be customized to fit each patient’s hand and forearm. According to the research team, each tremor suppression glove should cost under $1,000 to create.

    “Our goal is to really get it out there for people to be able to use it, so potentially if a company is interested in commercializing the product, then we’d be on board with supporting that,” Trejos adds.



    License: The text of „Researchers 3D Print Tremor Suppression Glove to Help Parkinson’s Patients“ by All3DP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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  • Stratasys & Dassault Systèmes Partner to Develop Low-Cost 3D Printed Prosthetics

    Stratasys & Dassault Systèmes Partner to Develop Low-Cost 3D Printed Prosthetics

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    Stratasys is partnering with Dassault Systèmes to supply Unlimited Tomorrow with 3D printing and CAD software dedicated to producing affordable, patient-specific prosthetic devices.  

    From surgical models to personalized prosthetics, 3D printing has proven extremely advantageous for a wide variety of medical applications. Among the few pioneers of healthcare-related additive manufacturing is the 3D printing giant Stratasys.

    The company recently launched BioMimics, a platform that enables physicians to reliably 3D print accurate and complex anatomical structures for training purposes. Now, Stratasys is partnering with the leading 3D engineering software company Dassault Systèmes to empower amputees through 3D printing and CAD software.

    The collaborative effort, which was announced this week at SOLIDWORKS World 2018, aims to develop affordable and functional prosthetic arms for amputees. The 3D printed prosthetics company Unlimited Tomorrow will pair Stratasys’ 3D printing solutions and Dassault’s proprietary CAD software.

    Traditional prosthetics usually come at a high price tag, costing anywhere between $20,000-$100,000. Meanwhile, Unlimited Tomorrow’s 3D printed prosthetics only cost around $5,000. The company uses a supply chain that streamlines the parts development and also reduces the number of fittings required.

    “Unlimited Tomorrow is driven by enabling the possible, with unique thinking that results in absolutely incredible ideas. Our intent is always ‘user-first’, meaning the technology serves needs of patients from the outset – and it’s all driven by the most advanced technology,” said Easton LaChappelle, founder of Unlimited Tomorrow.

    The 3D printed prosthetics producer also offers a $2,500 cheaper version for children who are still outgrowing their prosthetics.

    Stratasys and Dassault Systèmes Help Make 3D Printed Prosthetics More Accessible

    Stratasys and Dassault Systèmes will provide dedicated 3D printing and CAD/CAE supplies to this newfound initiative. Additionally, both are providing additional support as part of the program. For instance, both the Stratasys PolyJet and Stratasys Direct Manufacturing teams will actively help develop and produce these 3D printed prosthetics.

    The collaboration further boasts a design-to-creation process by using Dassault Systèmes’ leading CAD software SOLIDWORKS.

    Through the partnership, Unlimited Tomorrow will be able to print prosthetics in any size and also color. The newly developed automated design process makes it easier than ever to customize the prothetic devices for each individual patient.

    First, Unlimited Tomorrow will collect 3D scans of the missing arm and opposite full arm. The software then runs the scans and automatically generates ready-to-3D-print files. Once printed, the engineer will install sensors and wireless chargers to ensure haptic feedback.

    Arita Mattsoff, vice president of corporate social responsibility at Stratasys, explained:

    “We view 3D printing as a catalyst for healthcare innovation to enable better patient care, streamline procedures, and improve learning. One of the most visible impacts is in creation of prosthetics. That’s why a main component of our Corporate Social Responsibility program is focused on accessibility of devices – driving true change, improving quality-of-life, and advancing recipients’ self-esteem.”

    Unlimited Tomorrow is currently hosting a crowdfunding campaign via MicroVenutres, the new equity funding platform from Indiegogo.


    Easton LaChappelle – Founder of Unlimited Tomorrow. (Image: Unlimited Tomorrow)

    Source: Stratasys & Unlimited Tomorrow

    Website: LINK