UAE professor developing personalised 3D-printed limbs for amputees

A scientist at the UAE University (UAEU) is employing 3D-printing technology to bring the personalised touch to prosthetics.
 
In partnership with the University of Michigan, Dr Fady Alnajjar, assistant professor in UAEU’s Department of Information Technology, is developing prototypes of advanced prosthetics that could have a double edge over the models currently on the market – their lower cost, and their ability to allow amputees greater flexibility of movement and control.
 
While existing prosthetics may not be a case of one-size-fits-all, their functionality and range is limited and does not necessarily take account of the individual characteristics of their wearer.

As Dr Alnajjar explains, the project he has embarked on is now trying to extend the number of sensors from the human body that can be used to control a prosthetic arm.

The ultimate aim is for a prosthetic customer to be able to provide their precise specifications to an engineer, and have an artificial body part that is tailored specifically for them.
 
“The multi-degree freedom of our bodies gives signals that can control our arms,” he said. “The problem is that existing prosthetic arms in the market have no such functionality, so there is a lot of input from the body, but the prosthetic cannot accept it.
 
“Most prosthetic arms have a maximum of three-degree freedom. What we are working on is how we can increase that for individuals.”
 
While there is little in the way of genuine compensation for the trauma of losing a limb, Dr Alnajjar says advances in 3D printing have already come a long way in both improving prosthetics and making them more affordable.

In this way, he believes the “emotional transition” can be smoothed.
 
“It’s also the case that prosthetic arms currently on the market are pre-designed and pre-coloured,” he said, adding: “So they are not actually a fit for everyone. Some people would like customisation, and 3D printing will be much easier to customise.”
 
This means prosthetics, for example, can be matched to the wearer’s physique and skin colour, and Dr Alnajjar adds: “We can also customise the functionality – for example, an artist might require a very different prosthetic arm to a golfer.
 
“This technology will help amputees get what they really need, and not be forced to use something purely because there is no other option. It will allow them to actually design what they want and have it built and customised to the needs of their body.”
 
As well as the physical and emotional comfort, the cost factor is also seen as a significant advantage of developing prosthetics in this way.

“Building prosthetics from 3D printing already exists in different places,” said Dr Alnajjar.

“The good thing about using this technology is the cheaper prices - because the materials are inexpensive - and it is also lighter than traditional models, such as silicon arms.
 
“The idea when we build the arm is that we try to ensure it is easy to change the parts, rather than being one set arm.

This means the wearer can easily modify some aspects of its mobility – if they don’t like a particular finger, they can reprint the one they are looking for and just fit it onto the arm.”
 
It will take time and needs to be perfected, but Dr Alnajjar believes these new, very personal prosthetics could be on the market as early as 2020.

Once the project he is currently working on with his US partners is “60 per cent complete”, it is planned to present it to UAEU’s medical faculty for refinement, before biological experts are enlisted to help in developing sensors which have the best fit for the human body and offer the most responsiveness.
 
He sees the project, and the introduction of 3D printing to prosthetics development, as an opportunity to build a bridge between medicine and engineering.

“Sometimes, engineers build something that doctors do not need, or that customers like but doctors do not feel it is appropriate for the body,” he said. “Alternatively, sometimes doctors require something an engineer cannot build.
 
“There is a gap between engineering and medical doctors. For the benefit of the people who need prosthetics, we need to fill this gap.”

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