5th grade students from a Breton college have 3D printed a prosthesis for Erwan, born with a malformation in his right hand.
With its large “E” and its red and black plastic, it looks like a superhero’s hand. Hard to believe that this prosthesis was printed in 3D by 5th graders from Saint-Joseph College in Concarneau (Finistère). They made it with the help of one of their teachers for Erwan, a 12-year-old boy with hand agenesis – a developmental defect that occurs during the embryonic stage. The latter gradually learns to use this new member: “The scooter works. Now I have to try to ride a bike,” 12-year-old Erwan Brendlin told West France, Friday, March 31.
Less than 30 euros
This feat was made possible thanks to the e-Nable association. On its website, drawings and measurements are available to produce 3D printed hands.
These plastic prostheses work without a motor. When the wrist is bent, fine cables fixed at the level of the forearm will actuate the fingers in order to close them and grip. The hand opens by itself when the wrist is released. All for a cost of less than 30 euros.
A first in France in 2015
A first such prosthesis was made in France in 2015, again for a young boy, Maxence, who also suffered from hand agenesis. His parents then explained that they had never wanted to fit him with a medical prosthesis.
For them, as for their son, this alternative is the simplest and most effective solution. Especially since, designed in this way, the prosthesis could become a real object of pride for its little owner. “It will be fun for him, in the playground with his friends”, then explained the parents.
Since 2015, 32 children and a mother have received a hand prosthesis through the association. “We have 12 devices in the making and 13 children waiting for a maker [fabricant, ndlr] available”, even specifies the association’s activity report for the year 2016.
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