Nov 16, 2015 | By Benedict
Whilst it’s hard for most of us to image the difficulties involved in losing a limb or digit, the prosthetics industry is constantly striving to produce better, more natural prosthetic devices for amputees and other patients. Today, 3D printing technology is used by many prosthetics companies to make their prosthetic devices even more effective. One of those companies, Washington based Naked Prosthetics, has today unveiled the MCPDriver, its latest 3D printed prosthetic device. Built for finger amputations distal to the MCP joint (first knuckle), the MCPDriver makes use of a double-articulating linkage system for a realistic feel and supreme dexterity. The 3D printed finger prosthetic is the latest in the company’s series of Biomechanical Prosthetic Fingers (BPFs), aimed at combining natural aesthetics with high level functionality.
Naked Prosthetics have made use of 3D printing technology to produce the stainless steel components of the device, which contribute to the prosthetic’s impressive structural integrity. The strength of the 3D printed parts allows patients to grip objects firmly and naturally, and silicone pads contribute to a secure grip. The MCPDriver has been designed with versatility in mind, and its slim design makes it suitable for patients with single or multiple amputations. The prosthetic finger attaches to the hand with a subtle and durable hand strap, which can be easily removed and washed. The strap is fine enough to allow for normal tactile sensation on the wearer’s palm.
Each prosthetic made by Naked Prosthetics is customized to suit the individual patient. The company works with prosthetists, surgeons, hand therapists and the patients themselves in order to produce the most effective and tailored prosthetics possible. The Naked Prosthetics engineers must consider factors such as scar tissue, movement limitations and other abnormalities when designing each patient’s device. The result is a fully functional prosthesis which patients can quickly adapt to, allowing them to return to their work and daily tasks with ease.
The sizing process for Naked Prosthetics’ products is thorough, requiring patients to submit detailed information such as measurements and 2D images of the hand obtained from a flatbed scanner. Although this process gives adequate data to enable a 3D printed prosthetic device to be made, other companies producing comparable products have used 3D scanning techniques to generate an even more precise picture of a patient’s anatomy. Open Bionics, for example, utilises 3D scanning of amputees in order to ensure a precise custom fit. The future of 3D printed prostheses would appear to involve both 3D scanning techniques and 3D printing of structural components as has been achieved by Naked Prosthetics.
The medical possibilities afforded by additive manufacturing techniques increase in number each day. As long as prices are kept at a sensible level, the prosthetic devices produced using 3D printing technology will continue to make life easier for those who need them.
Posted in 3D Printing Application
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