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Company Uses 3D Printing and Design To Change the Way We Look At Prosthetics

Posted by samzenpus on from the adding-some-flare dept.

An anonymous reader writes UNYQ (pronounced: unique), a start-up based in San Francisco and Seville, has set out to change the way we look at prosthetics by selling affordable 3D printed prosthetic leg covers, known as "fairings," directly to consumers. The company was co-founded by Eythor Bender, who is best known for developing a prototype bionic exoskeleton that allows paraplegics to walk again. Bender, who has worked with the disabled for over 20 years, was frustrated by the lack of consideration of style in the medical device development process. Despite all the progress made in other areas, the devices still look more or less like a "wooden stick." Bender wants to challenge what we think is possible with prosthetics.

8 of 28 comments (clear)

  1. Bender? by ray-auch · · Score: 3, Funny

    frustrated by the lack of consideration of style in the medical device development process. Despite all the progress made in other areas, the devices still look more or less like a "wooden stick." Bender wants to challenge what we think is possible with prosthetics.

    "Bite my shiny, metal ass!"

    [sorry, someone had to say it...]

  2. ooh, a machine gun by Neil+Boekend · · Score: 2

    If I lose a leg I want a cover that makes it look like a machine gun, separate from the one for daily use.
    I want a GAU-8A Avenger (scaled to fit)!

    --
    Well, I might have a way, but it only works on a semi spherical planet in a vacuum.
  3. Best Quote(paraphrase): "My leg is now badass" by microTodd · · Score: 3, Interesting

    A guy quoted in the article said something like, "I've never had someone tell me my leg was badass before." This (seemed to me like) was said in a positive way. Dude is an athlete.

    I have to say, I think these guys hit it right on the nose. Why did all prosthetics before look like metal poles or wooden sticks? Why can't they be leg-shaped, like a mannequin? Why can't they be all colorful or sleek, make you look like Iron Man or have your favorite sports team or whatever on it?

    I can't even imagine what being an amputee is like, but this seems like a positive, morale-boosting step in the right direction.

    Super kudos to them, and super awesome way to show how 3D printing is awesome.

    --
    "You cannot find out which view is the right one by science in the ordinary sense." - C.S. Lewis on Intelligent Design
    1. Re:Best Quote(paraphrase): "My leg is now badass" by timrod · · Score: 3, Informative

      The reason prosthetics are so simple is because of all the FDA testing they have to undergo before they can be sold. More parts means more time and money spent getting the FDA to approve of every single item on the list. By keeping prosthetics simple, the companies that design them manage to avoid a lot of that - there are, after all, only so many questions the FDA can ask about a metal pole or a wooden stick.

      3D printing is a great way to get around this, because the FDA (as far as I know) can't regulate things that people make themselves to use for themselves.

    2. Re:Best Quote(paraphrase): "My leg is now badass" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      The reason prosthetics are so simple is because of all the FDA testing they have to undergo before they can be sold. More parts means more time and money spent getting the FDA to approve of every single item on the list. By keeping prosthetics simple, the companies that design them manage to avoid a lot of that - there are, after all, only so many questions the FDA can ask about a metal pole or a wooden stick.

      3D printing is a great way to get around this, because the FDA (as far as I know) can't regulate things that people make themselves to use for themselves.

      We have previously been unaware of these efforts. Our friends at NSA alerted us to your posts, and we are now tracking these developments quite closely. On behalf of all of us in the regulatory bureaucracy, thank you!

      Sincerely,
      US FDA

  4. Modularization should solve it too right? by PPalmgren · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Make the medical device the prosthetic and the joint connection. The sleeve becomes a cosmetic device in this instance and can be switched out and whatnot without effecting the function of the medical device.

  5. Re:how interesting! by i+kan+reed · · Score: 2

    Hey! Listen.

    Adblock everything. Ads don't respect you? Don't respect them.

  6. Re:I hope he's planning on filing with the FDA by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    and including the biocompatibility test results report. What you make a medical device out of matters!

    I'm just going to go out on a limb, since the dude has been working with handicapped people professionally for 20 years and has even created an exoskeleton that allows parapalegics to walk, that he knows all about how to comply with the law. Now carry on with your armchair advice!