Making prosthesis affordable and accessable to Colombian amputees
Arm3D is a Non-profit initiative that provides a technique, developed by PhD-candidate Juan Cuellar Lopez, where 2D photos get transformed in a 3D picture to standardize the design process and make 3D printed prostheses more affordable. The goal is to counter the inaccessibility to prosthesis and give an answer to the big demand of amputees in Colombia. At this moment 6 students of the TU Delft in the Netherlands, are established at Universidad del Tolima for 3 months to help the first patients. There is a great inspiration to prolong this project and the cooporation between the TU Delft and Universidad del Tolima.
COLLABORATION
With continued partnerships between the two institutions, we want to be able to help as many patients as possible with the ARM3D project.
CONTRIBUTION OF THE DELFT UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
The TU Delft has sent 3 bachelor, 2 master and 1 PhD candidate, all related to technical studies, to Ibagué to set up the ARM3D project in 3 months. The goal is to continue this project in the future and send 3 students from the minor International Entrepreneurship & Development each year to take steps forward and preferably help as many amputees as possible.
3D PRINTED PROSTHESIS
The ARM3D project is based on the two prosthesis designed by Juan Cuellar Lopez and Madelon Kusters. In the first 3 months of the project the 3D printer is installed and the prostheses will be fitted on the first patients. From this point on, the physical and mental experiences of the patients will be closely monitored to keep improving the service.
COOPERATION AND CONTINUATION OF THE PROJECT
Universidad del Tolima has made a workspace available to allow the 6 students to settle, install the 3D printer, continue to develop ARM3D and help the first patients. During the project, a student from Universidad del Tolima is assisting the Dutch students doing research and working as an interpreter. Universidad del Tolima is looking for an institute that will be able to continue the project after 3 months in collaboration with the Delft University of Technology.
HEALTH TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
The HTA is a report which sets out the added value of the 3D printed ARM3D prostheses in four focus areas namely the technological, economical, organizational and patient-related aspects. At this moment ARM3D is working on the HTA. The download below is the most recent draft.