Prosthetics require good engineering. Unfortunately, many people cannot afford the costly fitting and technology. This problem is compounded in young patients who require frequent updates as they grow. Fortunately, there are engineering students who are willing to go the extra mile to lend a helping hand... literally.
While many college students are spending their free time looking for good entertainment, Albert Manero, a mechanical engineering doctoral student at the University of Central Florida, was looking for good ideas for a good deed. Manero, along with a cross-disciplinary team of other engineering students, used their free time to change a boy’s life.
Alex Pring, a six-year-old from Groveland, Florida, just might want to be an engineer when he grows up. That’s because the UCF engineering students have demonstrated the usefulness of their skills, and the good they can do. You see, Alex was born with part of his arm missing.
According to a UCF press release, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates there are 1500 children a year who are born with hand or arm deformities, but getting insurance to pay for prosthetics for children can be difficult. To help Alex, Manero and the rest of the team created a custom 3D printed prosthetic for him.
The creation combines practicality with functionality. The design incorporates off-the-shelf servos and batteries with a custom fitment. The hand operates using electromyography from Alex’s bicep. Thanks to the volunteer hours and supplies donated from Stratasys, the arm was delivered for $350.
The connection between Alex’s mom, Alyson, and Manero came through his volunteer involvement with the online network, e-NABLE. e-NABLE, started by Rochester Institute of Technology scientist Jon Schull, has been working to make hand and arm prosthetic design open source. According the e-NABLE website, the service has gone from very humble beginnings to become a global “movement of tinkerers, engineers, 3D print enthusiasts, occupational therapists, university professors, designers, parents, families, artists, students, teachers and people who just want to make a difference.”
The team of engineering students involved in this design project are certain to see the value in donating their time and skill when it pays off in such a personal way. It is good reminder of how important engineers are to public welfare, both in a broad sense and, more importantly, in a very individualized way.
For the arm blueprint used by the UCF students, click here.
Check out the Limbitless Endowed Scholarship at UCF Manero started to help kids like Alex.
Be part of the e-NABLE movement.
Photo courtesy of UCF News