German researchers develop low-cost 3D printed prostheses to help refugees
Release date: 2016-08-01
In conflict areas, every day someone loses their body because of the war. Prosthetics can help victims, but for most of them, even the simplest models are economically unaffordable. To this end, researchers from the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU) and the University of Applied Sciences in Lübeck, Germany, are working together to develop prosthetics that can be tailored with the help of 3D scanning and 3D printing technology, they hope The prosthetic limbs produced in this way are simple, inexpensive, and capable of using local recycled materials. At present, their work is considered to be one of the 100 “Landmark in the Land of Ideas†projects in Germany.
According to Tiangong, the project called 3DPro was initiated by Dr. Christian Zagel, a professor at FAU. He was thinking about this when developing 3D body scanners. The so-called 3D body scanner uses a camera to create 3D images of the human body, which allows users to try on clothes in a virtual way while shopping online. However, this system is also very suitable for other applications that are highly tailored – such as prosthetics or prostheses. It is well known that if a patient wears an inappropriate prosthesis, it is prone to bruises, pain and inflammation.
In addition, Dr. Zagel works closely with colleagues in other disciplines. For example, the individual components used to scan the injured limb were developed by Dr. Günther Greiner and Dr. Marc Stamminger, two professors in the field of computer graphics. The images needed here come from a 3D camera or a simple mobile phone camera, while the latter is more difficult. In addition, in order to ensure that the system can be easily operated without a technical background, Dr. Monique Janneck and Adelka Niels, professors from the Department of Computer Science at the University of Lübeck, are responsible for designing the user interface and conducting usability testing.
Researchers say the prosthesis will be made from a relatively inexpensive 3D printer that will use recycled plastic from discarded products such as plastic cups. For added comfort, a soft silicone lining is added to the receiving cavity of the prosthesis. “We want to make sure that the local doctor can use the system very easily, without the need for special cameras or expensive 3D printers, or trained engineers or orthopedic specialists,†explains Christian Zagel.
The first prototype is currently printed in 3D, and researchers are testing the life and strength of different materials. They are also exploring financing methods after the completion of the project, such as crowdfunding. Once the software for scanning is developed, the researchers will begin testing for scanning and printing. By 2017, they plan to create the first prosthesis for the patient. After that, they also plan to expand to other prosthetic shape and orthopedic equipment projects.
It is reported that the 3DPro project was launched in January 2015 and was supported by the non-governmental organization “Sulzbach-Rosenberg hilft!â€. The main purpose of this voluntary organization is to assist refugees and help refugees to integrate into society, as well as the support of the Staedtler Foundation.
(Compiled from FAU)
Source: Tiangongshe
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