[3D Printing Application] 3D finger dexterity activity, making life a – 3DMart Japan

[3D Printing Application] 3D finger dexterity activity, making life a dream even for "beginners"!

New Year brings new progress, a good omen for 2020! The development of medical prostheses has progressed from merely mimicking appearances to integrating rehabilitation functions. Now, through 3D printing technology, these assistive devices can be more customized to individual differences. New sensing systems will combine with 3D-printed components to provide patients with more detailed functions:

Medical muscle-sensing prostheses can effectively assist in rehabilitation and are very suitable for adults whose muscles have fully developed; however, because children under 3 years old are still developing, bulky prostheses can increase the difficulty of use. Furthermore, each type of prosthesis has a specific purpose, and if it does not meet the individual differences of the patient (e.g., height, weight), it may cause physical burden.

If young children do not wear prosthetics from an early age, incorrect gripping techniques can affect the development of their motor nerves. The University of Lincoln in the UK has developed a new approach for 3D-printed prosthetics for children under 3 years old.

The prosthesis shown in the image below was 3D printed using an Ultimaker S5 with ABS filaments and then fabricated using a 3D scanner and an electromyography (sEMG) system (a technology that places electrodes on the skin to detect muscle activity) to create an ergonomic pediatric SIMPA prosthesis. This makes the rehabilitation process easier and more convenient for young children, and the earlier the prosthesis is used, the greater the chance of a full recovery.

This 3D-printed prosthetic arm is equipped with sensors that can detect muscle activity, allowing the arm to be raised naturally, the fingers to move freely, and the gripping function to be provided. It will not cause other growth problems due to misuse of muscles, such as asymmetrical posture, musculoskeletal pain, etc.

Meanwhile, 3D scanners can quickly simulate or measure the size of prosthetic arms, allowing for customized adjustments to meet patient needs and eliminating the discomfort associated with traditional plaster casts. 3D-printed prostheses are relatively low-cost and fast, and have the potential to develop more medical devices in the future, while also making new assistive devices more accessible to low-income countries.

With the rapid development of 3D printing , in addition to general industrial applications, it is also creating new value in the medical industry, helping more students and patients regain their lives and bringing them new possibilities. (Further reading: Smart assistive robot wins "Million Maker" championship! )

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[3D Printing Application] 3D finger dexterity activity, making life a dream even for "beginners"!

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