It’s a brave new world for amputees – the ability to 3D print prosthetics is opening up hundreds of thousands of doors with options that were previously out of reach.
The age of 3D printing has arrived and it is radically changing the world we live in as was promised. We’ve been told it would change everything from fashion to manufacturing and robotics. Almost every goods based industry on the globe is at least exploring how to exploit 3D technology, but the one that has the greatest potential impact is the healthcare industry.
While there are numerous challenges that still need to be met regarding 3D printer technology in healthcare, thus far, the promise is tremendous. While there is great promise for 3D printing in internal medicine, currently the greatest advances are being made in the field of prosthesis. In amazingly short time for such a young technology, 3D printing is already making a profound impact on the life of numerous amputees around the globe.
One of the things that is so absolutely amazing about 3D printer prosthetic is that anyone can design and print their own prosthetic. No medical background or advanced engineering degrees are required. That doesn’t mean it is necessarily easy, but it does mean anyone has the ability to try and expect reasonable success. This is largely thanks to companies like Enabling The Future who have made their previously used print functional designs available to anyone who wishes to use them.
The combination of a sophisticated technology, innovative design and low cost makes 3D printing the wave of the future that is already on our shore. Lives are being changed by this technology daily in the here and now. There are no words that can ably describe the impact 3D printing has had on amputees, so instead, we’ll let you see for yourself!