The development of a low-cost three-dimensional printed shoulder, arm, and hand prostheses for children

TLDR

Higher‑level amputees face limited, costly prosthetic options, but advances in CAD and 3D printing enable the design of very low‑cost transitional prostheses. This study aims to describe an inexpensive, body‑powered, manually adjusted 3D‑printed shoulder prosthesis that assists a forequarter amputee in performing bi‑manual activities. The device is a body‑powered, manually adjusted 3D‑printed shoulder prosthesis that provides a cost‑effective, highly customized transitional solution for congenital or acquired forequarter amputations. Testing on a young participant showed partial correction of spinal deviation, improved balance and bimanual function after two weeks, but the design is limited by low grip strength and durability, and it can serve as a transitional device toward a more advanced prosthesis.

Abstract

The prosthetic options for higher level amputees are limited and costly. Advancements in computer-aided design programs and three-dimensional printing offer the possibility of designing and manufacturing transitional prostheses at very low cost. The aim of this project was to describe an inexpensive three-dimensional printed mechanical shoulder prosthesis to assist a pre-selected subject in performing bi-manual activities.The main function of the body-powered, manually adjusted three-dimensional printed shoulder prosthesis is to provide a cost-effective, highly customized transitional device to individuals with congenital or acquired forequarter amputations.After testing the prototype on a young research participant, a partial correction of the patient's spinal deviation was noted due to the counterweight of the device. The patient's family also reported improved balance and performance of some bimanual activities after 2 weeks of using the device. Limitations of the design include low grip strength and low durability. Clinical relevance The prosthetic options for higher level amputees are limited and costly. The low-cost three-dimensional printed shoulder prosthesis described in this study can be used as a transitional device in preparation for a more sophisticated shoulder prosthesis.