The ultimate goal of medical research is to improve health, yet there are still areas in combating diseases where effective methods are lacking. One such area is SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy), a genetic disorder that affects the nerve functions controlling muscles. Even children with milder forms of SMA face a future of continuous muscle atrophy, loss of mobility, and inability to move. Without specialized external support devices, affected children worldwide would be unable to move.
Customized exoskeleton arms are devices that help them move their hands, draw, play, and express themselves—at least doing what children love. This idea came from parents of children with SMA who couldn't find good enough solutions. Radek, a child, was finally able to move his arm for the first time thanks to the development by Barłomiej Gaczorek design studio, with the results printed on a Sinterit Lisa 3D printer.
However, designing and manufacturing affordable, easy-to-assemble, and adaptable exoskeleton arms for children, ready for immediate use, is not easy. First, the child's comfort must be considered, requiring a smooth appearance and determining the engineering methods for implementation. Another aspect is maximizing flexibility and reducing the weight of the hand. The entire production process involves SLS printing technology, which is expected to be highly precise, time-saving, and minimize the need for manual handling, thus saving children time waiting to move their arms.
Thanks to 3D printing and state-of-the-art design tools, we are able to meet all these requirements. Autodesk Fusion 360 allows for complex motion analysis and shape adjustments. The complex internal components can only be produced by very precise 3D printers using strong, non-toxic materials. Prototyping would be more difficult and time-consuming without equipment other than SLS 3D printers.
3D printing can significantly shorten the design, testing, and development phases of children's exoskeleton arms; thanks to prototypes that can be produced and refined in-house within a few hours. SLS 3D printing can maintain the required precision and tolerance (0.05 mm). Producing very detailed and strong models without printing any supports is a significant advantage of laser powder sintering technology. Additionally, the applicability and psychological feel of equipment for disabled children are important, and the finished quality of SLS is the best, with the child's comfort being the most important thing in this entire process.
"I decided to print the main elements using SLS technology because of its complex internal structure. Other technologies like FDM would still have slight precision and tolerance issues (greater than 0.05mm). Furthermore, printing with FDM requires supports, and besides water-soluble PVA, it affects the object's surface. For comfort of use, the finished product from SLS / SLA is better. Compared to other industrial machines, the cost of printing with Sinterit Lisa SLS is relatively very low and the quality is excellent," explained Barłomiej Gaczorek. There are still many technologies related to improving motor skills in the medical field, and 3D printing can serve as an alternative solution, being easy to use and extremely precise. The children's exoskeleton arm is just one of the many possible uses of SLS 3D printing.
The application of 3D printing technology in the medical field, especially in improving physical mobility, is no longer just a conceptual imagination. The effectiveness of using 3D printing technology:
. Create complex structures with sufficient precision and reduce the total number of required components.
. Significantly improve user comfort due to the strength, durability, and light weight of SLS finished products.
. The precision of SLS printed components opens up new methods and significantly reduces friction and wear between working parts.
. While reducing costs and time, 3D printing can focus on problems and solutions rather than the cumbersome process of producing models. Rapid prototyping with minimal cost and reduced working hours for doctors and designers allows for quicker and cheaper provision of assistive devices.
. SLS printed components can be interconnected with other materials (such as metal or prints used in other technologies).
We are happy to share examples of how 3D printing technology improves human lives in all fields. The good news is that we have also introduced SLS 3D printers. If you have similar research that requires printing services, please feel free to contact us or schedule a time to learn about the machines. All the latest news will be updated simultaneously on our Facebook page. Feel free to follow and share the latest technology.
Original link: https://www.sinterit.com/use-case/exoskeleton-supportive-parts-for-children-with-sma/