Prosthetic Limbs Research Paper

Words: 792
Pages: 4
Open Document
I have chosen to investigate 3D printed prosthetic limbs as my innovation. The industries using 3D printing range from automotive to consumer goods. Now, people have started using the technology to create prosthetic limbs. This new innovation can open up a whole new line of work for designers, and companies that produce prosthetics.

The benefits of 3D printed limbs include low cost, accessibility and convenience.
Traditional prosthetics can cost between $5,000 and $50,000, but 3-D printed prosthetics only cost a few hundred dollars. This is especially helpful to the families of children with prosthetic limbs because children grow so quickly and need new, different sized limbs fairly often, which can cost thousands of dollars (which is …show more content…
It is a cheaper more effective way to create prosthetics for people who need them. Once more companies begin making their prosthetics with this method, the costs will drop immensely and more people will be able to buy them. There are many people who simply go without because they are unable to afford a prosthetic that they need. This will also reduce the production cost for companies. It will create a whole new market for graphic designers and programmers to create better, more advanced 3D printing machine to create more advanced 3D …show more content…
The printer must convert the CAD file to STL format. During printing,the printer uses 2 types of materials,modeling material, and support material, which serve as a support for the object as it's being printed. These materials are a type of plastic thread/filament, which are unwound from a coil and fed through a nozzle. Then the nozzle melts them and expels the filaments onto a base. The computer controls both the nozzle and the base. This computer translates the dimensions of an object into X, Y and Z coordinates for the nozzle and base to follow.In a standard 3D printer, the extrusion nozzle moves horizontally and vertically over the build platform and "draws" a cross section of an object onto the platform. Once a layer is completed, the base is lowered so there is enough space for the next layer of plastic. Depending on the size of the object being printed it can be a fairly slow process, But it is much cheaper than stereolithography (SLA) or selective laser sintering (SLS). The objects can also be easily altered to improve their function; they can be painted,
Show More

Related Documents: Prosthetic Limbs Research Paper

Prosthetic Limbs Research Paper

Prosthetic devices have been used to replace missing limbs and body parts for thousands of years. In fact, an artificial toe made of wood and leather discovered in Egypt on the remains of a woman who lived 3000 years ago is thought to be one of the oldest known prosthesis. From the Egyptians to the Dark Ages to the 1900’s, the material of choice for prostheses has been wood, metal and iron. Construction of these devices were originally focused on hiding an impairment rather than function, but advancements…

Words 526 - Pages 3

Prosthetic Limbs Research Paper

benefit of their arms or legs. They lose these limbs through a congenital defect, accidents, illness, or a wartime injury. Without the functionality of these limbs, certain tasks may be impossible and difficult to accomplish. But with prosthetic limbs (an artificial device that replaces missing arms or legs) it is possible or individuals with a missing limb to perform ordinary, day-to-day activities. Though in may not function like a biological limb, it can provide capabilities to improve the life…

Words 490 - Pages 2

Essay about Brain Computer Interface

to an electronic device in order to execute a given activity. The system caters mostly to the needs of the disabled, allowing them to complete a variety of different tasks, ranging from something as complex as controlling a cursor to moving a prosthetic limb (Rouse, 2011). Once BCI computer chips are surgically implanted into the brain, their objective is to translate signals from brain neurons into physical activity. Unlike other human–computer interfaces, which require muscle input, BCIs provide…

Words 2075 - Pages 9

Apraxia Of Speech Disorders

INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSE STATEMENT This paper will define and describe the characteristics, common etiologies and effective treatment options that are affiliated with apraxia of speech. The information learned about this motor speech disorder will help me in the future as a Speech Language Pathologist. ETIOLOGY According to Darley, Apraxia of speech (AOS) is defined as a motor speech disorder (MSD) resulting from a neurologic impairment that affects the ability to coordinate and execute speech…

Words 1594 - Pages 7

Ramez Naam

If I were asked how he does it, I’d probably say it’s in the way he writes his sentences. They don’t drone on like lines out of a research paper. They don’t sound robotic. They sound likes he’s talking directly to you, explaining how electrodes have helped an amputee control a desktop computer with his mind, or how obesity can be eliminated with a single gene. He shares in the enthusiasm…

Words 917 - Pages 4

Cultural Considerations Remote or Robotic Surgery Essay

LAS432 Team Project Guidelines Objective This capstone course concludes with a research Team Project that starts during the first week and continues throughout the duration of the class. It culminates with the submission of a formal team report and an oral presentation by each team during Week 7, and Peer Reviews in Week 8. Each team will identify and explore an emerging technology. This will be a technology that may already exist, but is drawing attention because of new applications, anticipated…

Words 4001 - Pages 17

Cocept Analysis: Adaptation Essay

Adaptation has long been described as one of the mean tools of human and animal survival. A chameleon changes its color to hide from a predator, a child becomes withdrawn to deal with the death of a loved one or a soldier learns how to walk with a prosthetic limb after the traumatic amputation of a leg due to injury. All of these situations describe a form of adaptation on behalf of the individual in order to deal with a stressful situation. According to Sister Callista Roy (2009)” adaptation is the process…

Words 2224 - Pages 9

Transhumanism and Human Enhancement Technologies Essay

information about how to choose which publication to write for and submission guidelines are available for all. Please visit www.emeraldinsight.com/authors for more information. About Emerald www.emeraldinsight.com Emerald is a global publisher linking research and practice to the benefit of society. The company manages a portfolio of more than 290 journals and over 2,350 books and book series volumes, as well as providing an extensive range of online products and additional customer resources and services…

Words 8829 - Pages 36

Animal Experimentation Essay

Research Paper Mar.12.2011 Animal experimentation There are nearly 80 million domestic dogs in the United States, owned by more than 45 million households. In at least half of these households, the family dog receives a Christmas present. Millions of dog owners celebrate their dog’s birthday. If a family’s dog somehow were needed to force to live a short and painful life, the family would undoubtedly feel some combination of grief and anger. What can be said about dog owners can also be said about…

Words 3145 - Pages 13

Third Level Essay

Lesson Plan Name of the lesson: THE THIRD LEVEL written by: JACK FINNEY Page A Class: XII GIST OF THE LESSON Theme: Charley a thirty one year old having worked late at night enters Grand Central Station from Vanderbilt avenue, with the aim of boarding a train home. As the station is large consisting of various corridors and two levels catering for different trains, he loses his way. He finds himself in what he thinks…

Words 7567 - Pages 31