KidMob and Robohands united two years back as an innovative idea to help build 3D printed prosthetics for disabled children. However, this idea saw brilliance when creative minds introduced superhero like prototypes for their prosthetics.

After losing his left leg in 2013 Syrian civil war, Asam Hasna decided to 3D print his prosthetic leg. However, working with MENA 3D, he discovered the potential of 3D printing technology. Today, he is the leader of ROW3D (Refugee Open Ware)  organization.

The first 3D Printing Factory had already started construction in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality. The project started after the Fengdu county government of the municipality and the Hkable Biological 3D (China) Co Ltd, a joint venture between U.-based Hkable and local biotechnology company Jintai, signed a cooperation agreement on Tuesday. The factory is estimated to cost 50 million yuan ($7.5 million) and will produce human part molds to help with surgery for orthopedics, burns and dentistry, and artificial parts such as limbs.

Dubai Health Authority is working on a 3D printing strategy for medical services. Dubai Health Authority stresses the importance of utilizing smart technology especially 3D printing in diagnosing, preventing and treating patients and sees dental care as a sector with huge potential.

Shawn Jones, who received Shapeways Education Grant 2016 has revealed a 3D Printed Prototype of Prosthetic that will allow not just walking or running, but also swimming. Working with Operation Blue Pride (OBP), a non-profit organization, he will use the $1,000 grant to launch the device and help veterans who lost their limb to swim.

Foundations like the Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Foundation and International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) are working round the clock to provide new life to more than 1 million victims of war in Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Jordan by providing them 3D Printed Prosthetics. Using the 3D Scanning Technology and 3D Printing simultaneously, the parts can be printed without even doctor-patient meeting, while also cut down the heavy cost of traditional prosthetics that tend to be unfit and uncomfortable to the wearer.

India is progressing towards 3D Printing too and seeks to harvest the benefits of this technology. Recently, two children in Manipal, India received 3D printed prosthetic limbs from the brand new 3D Printing Facility called Hastha Centre for Congenital Hand Differences, at the Department of Orthopedics at Kasturba Hospital. The prosthetics made at the center can be customized to any level of amputation, whether above or below the elbow or for missing or shortened fingers.

Halifax resident Jacob Boudreau, who works for a logistics company, was inspired to open his own non-profit e-NABLE chapter, called Kindness3D. After legalization of marijuana in Canada, he stood for the waste management by recycling plastic waste from what he refers to as the “excessive cannabis packaging conundrum” of the NSLC (Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation), the province’s legal cannabis distributor. Using Kindness3D modified a paper shredder at Boudreau’s Dalhousie University Sexton Campus operation, recycled plastic was converted into 3D Printed Prosthetics for children. Additionally, he started a petition in hopes of convincing the NSLC to collect and donate all of its used cannabis packaging to Kindness3D.

Source: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/cannabis-packaging-3d-printer-prosthetic-limbs-1.4878440

Authors Linglong Deng, Xing Zhao, Chi Wei, Wengiang Qu, Li Yu, and Shaobo Zhu, wrote their research paper about using 3D Printing in Bone Cancer and its application to create Prosthetic fit for the patient. Chondrosarcoma is an Aggressive Bone Tumour that requires limb salvaging as the only option. The team used 3D Printing to create Prosthesis with Titanium and screwed into the scapula of the patient suffering from Chondrosarcoma. After four weeks, the patient was able to move his hand, elbow, and shoulder, and is still in good condition with no pain in the shoulder.