The Need
One of Field Ready's best known approaches to enabling aid workers to get the supplies they need is through 3D printing supplies in the field. However, it is becoming increasingly difficult to discuss 'humanitarian 3D printing' without also having a discussion on 3D printable prosthetics. A key reason for this is the huge need for affordable prosthetics - in particular, Field Ready has had many requests from organizations working with the Syria crisis, where an estimated 30-80,000 people caught in the conflict are facing life without a limb.
As a manufacturing technique, 3D printing holds a lot of potential in the world of prosthetics. One off, personalized devices can be manufactured affordably to fit an individual patient's needs, and with the attention the sector is receiving the number of designs and organizations making them is only set to increase. However, receiving a prosthetic is not as simple as having one printed out and putting it on.
From a medical perspective, the journey of an amputee is a long one. After amputation, it typically takes 2-6 months for the wound to have sufficiently healed to accept a prosthetic device, depending on the injury. At this point, a full assessment is required to ensure the patient is in a physical condition able to withstand the physical and mental challenges of adapting to a prosthetic, and that an appropriate type of device is selected to support the usual day to day activities of the patient. After a prosthetic device is fitted, the patient must undergo physiotherapy to desensitize the skin and strengthen the muscles the patient will need to comfortably operate the device.
2. Usability
The number of 3D printable designs are increasing, which is a very positive thing. One of the main challenges with prosthetics is to find a device or set of devices that enhance the amputee's life sufficiently to outweigh the time, pain and mental challenges associated with adapting to the prosthetic. It can be very different for different people - for some it may be concealing the amputations, for others it could be managing everyday tasks, or very specific tasks such a handling tools or riding a bicycle. One of the biggest successes for 3D printed prosthetics is with children, for whom it can make a huge difference to get something to be excited about, and gain something the other kids don't have, rather than feeling left out or at a disadvantage.
3. Cultural Fit
As much as designs need to fit individual needs, there also needs to be sensitivity to the wider culture. Field Ready founder Dara Dotz experienced different challenges whilst making E-nable 3D printed hands in Haiti compared to her other experiences in the US. Making colorful 3D printed hands in Haiti raised some interesting issues surrounding cultural attitudes to amputation, where patients found the 3D printed devices advertised their status as an amputee, which resulted in negative behavior towards them.
The Issues
1. Medical CareFrom a medical perspective, the journey of an amputee is a long one. After amputation, it typically takes 2-6 months for the wound to have sufficiently healed to accept a prosthetic device, depending on the injury. At this point, a full assessment is required to ensure the patient is in a physical condition able to withstand the physical and mental challenges of adapting to a prosthetic, and that an appropriate type of device is selected to support the usual day to day activities of the patient. After a prosthetic device is fitted, the patient must undergo physiotherapy to desensitize the skin and strengthen the muscles the patient will need to comfortably operate the device.
2. Usability
The number of 3D printable designs are increasing, which is a very positive thing. One of the main challenges with prosthetics is to find a device or set of devices that enhance the amputee's life sufficiently to outweigh the time, pain and mental challenges associated with adapting to the prosthetic. It can be very different for different people - for some it may be concealing the amputations, for others it could be managing everyday tasks, or very specific tasks such a handling tools or riding a bicycle. One of the biggest successes for 3D printed prosthetics is with children, for whom it can make a huge difference to get something to be excited about, and gain something the other kids don't have, rather than feeling left out or at a disadvantage.
3. Cultural Fit
As much as designs need to fit individual needs, there also needs to be sensitivity to the wider culture. Field Ready founder Dara Dotz experienced different challenges whilst making E-nable 3D printed hands in Haiti compared to her other experiences in the US. Making colorful 3D printed hands in Haiti raised some interesting issues surrounding cultural attitudes to amputation, where patients found the 3D printed devices advertised their status as an amputee, which resulted in negative behavior towards them.
Summary - Field Ready and Prosthetics
Overall, the future for 3D prosthetics looks vibrant, with many different players working towards a wider range of devices becoming available to more people. It is however a complex journey, requiring deep contextual research into what types of devices are appropriate and desired, developing these designs, manufacturing them and engaging in a long journey with amputees to help them adapt and gain maximum benefit from the device.
Field Ready's mission is to make sure those affected by crises can access what they need, and as such we are keen to work on projects which involve manufacturing prosthetics locally. However, we are not the right team to be designing and testing new prosthetic products, or to engage in the medical activities in supporting an amputee - we would need to partner closely with organizations performing both of these functions. At present, we have not got an active partnership with such an organization, and so we do not manufacture prosthetics as part of our activities. However, we would be happy to do so in the future if the right partnership and opportunity arises.
No comments:
Post a Comment