Utilising 3D printing techniques when providing unique assistive devices: a case report

Background – The evolution of 3D printing into prosthetics has opened conversations about the availability, and cost of prostheses. This report will discuss how a Prosthetic team incorporated additive manufacture techniques into the treatment of a patient with a amputation to create and test a unique assistive device which he could use to hold his French horn.
Case Description and Methods –Using a process of shape capture, photogrammetry, CAD and Finite Element Analysis (FEA), a suitable assistive device was designed and tested. The design was fabricated using 3D printing. Patient satisfaction was measured using a Pugh’s Matrix, and a cost comparison was made between the process used and traditional manufacturing.
Findings – Patient satisfaction was high. The 3D printed devices were 56% cheaper to fabricate than a similar laminated device.
Outcome and Conclusion – CAD and 3D printing proved an effective method for designing, testing and fabricating a unique assistive device.