An Open Source 3D-Printed Transitional Hand Prosthesis for Children

Abstract

Introduction Advancements in computer-aided design programs, additive manufacturing, and open-source image editing software offer the possibility of designing, printing, and fitting transitional prosthetic hands and other prosthetic devices at very low cost. The development and use of 3D-printed transitional prosthetic devices to increase range of motion (ROM), strength, and other relevant variables would have a significant clinical impact for children with upper-limb deficiencies. Thus, the purpose of this study was to identify anthropometric, active ROM, and strength changes after 6 months of using a wrist-driven 3D-printed transitional prosthetic hand for children with upper-limb deficiencies. Materials and Methods Anthropometric, active ROM, and strength measurements were assessed before and after 6 months of using a 3D-printed transitional hand prosthesis. Five children (two girls and three boys, 3–10 years of age) with absent digits (one traumatic and four congenital) participated in this study and were fitted with a 3D-printed transitional hand prosthesis. Results There were significant hand × time interactions for the forearm circumference (p = 0.02), active ROM for flexion (p = 0.02), and extension values (p = 0.04). There were no significant hand × time interactions, however, for wrist flexion strength (p = 0.29), wrist extension strength (p = 0.84), active ROM for ulnar deviation (p = 0.5), active ROM for radial deviation (p = 0.25), and forearm skinfold values (p = 0.11). Conclusion Although durability, environment, and lack of printing standards for the manufacturing of 3D-printed prostheses are factors to consider when using these types of devices, the practicality and cost-effectiveness represent a promising new option for clinicians and those patients with upper-limb deficiencies living in developing countries. Thus, the Cyborg Beast transitional prosthetic hand represents a low-cost prosthetic solution for those in need of a transitional device to increase ROM and forearm circumference.

3D Printed Antibacterial Prostheses

“…The addition of copper nanoparticles to polymers, and the resulting antimicrobial properties have promising applications in the development of medical devices associated with bacterial development [12]. These applications are not limited to post-operative prostheses [12,18], but can also be used as other types of medical devices, such as wound dressings [13] and surgical instruments [28]. Wound dressings are external barriers that isolate the injury site from the external environment and provide an optimal environment for the wound to heal.…”

“…While a longer residual index can increase gross dexterity, a shorter residual segment may increase the difficulty in performing this task. Although, the functional nature of a prosthesis is inherent to its design, the thermoforming and antibacterial properties of PLACTIVE TM discussed in the current manuscript could be used to develop a variety of prostheses [16][17][18], orthoses, assistive devices, wound dressing [13], and surgical instruments [28].…”

“…It has been suggested [12] that the addition of copper nanoparticles to polymers and the resulting antimicrobial properties have promising applications in the development of medical devices associated with bacterial development, such as socket-based prostheses, among many others. Recent technological advances in additive manufacturing (i.e., 3D printing) [16] and a new antimicrobial 3D printing filament offer the unique possibility of manufacturing low-cost, customized, and antibacterial upper-limb 3D printed prostheses [16][17][18]. The development and effectiveness of manufacturing upper limb prostheses using antimicrobial filaments, however, has not been tested [12].…”

“…This information is crucial for the implementation of 3D printed prostheses as post-operative or transitional prostheses. Based on previous investigations [11][12][13][14][16][17][18][19], we hypothesized that (i) antibacterial 3D printed filaments can be used for the development of functional upper-limb prostheses and (ii) the antibacterial properties of the 3D printing filament after extrusion and development of the prosthesis do not affect the antibacterial properties of the filament.…”

Fabrication of Polylactide/Carbon Nanopowder Filament using Melt Extrusion and Filament Characterization for 3D Printing

“…FDM is the most widely used 3D printing technique due to its low operation cost, simplicity, almost no loss of material and easy operation. Complex shapes can be fabricated very easily by 3D printing, therefore, it is becoming a dominant choice for fabrication of humanoid robots, [1][2][3][4] prosthetics, [5][6][7] orthotics 8 and others. 9,10 FDM process requires thermoplastic¯lament materials, printer head with heater and trajectories of the model being processed.…”