"When there's trouble you know who to call... TEEN TITANS."
If you are unfamiliar with this, you're either older than I thought, don't have kids or I'm missing the age demographic when writing these. For those who don't know, Teen Titans was a cartoon show released back in 2003. The reason why I'm mentioning this show is because they had a character named Cyborg, who was half human, half robot. He had an arm that could turn into anything he wanted, whether it was a gun, or a grappling hook, an eye that had superhuman vision, and his physical attributes increased due to his enhancements, giving him increased strength, speed, etc. The prosthetics field in healthcare is rapidly growing thanks to 3D printing, and it got me thinking... how long will it take to start seeing us turn into cyborgs?
How it works
Before I show you some real life cases, let me first explain quickly how these prosthetics are made through 3D printing. Typically, we would first scan the area that needs to get attached to the prosthetic to figure out the dimensions of the fitting. From there, the designers will create a 3D CAD model of the prosthetic, via a 3D software and finally, it gets sent to a 3D printer like the Form4L by Formlabs (due to it's large build platform) and gets printed. The materials you can choose from are vast depending on your needs and can be designed to print multi-materials to give it added properties (for example TPU for flexible, PEEK or ABS for rigid). Silicone is also highly used in prosthetics due to its biocompatibility, flexibility and comfortability, which is why the Lynxter 3D printer, the S300X is widely used in this space.
(Interested in the printers? Contact us here!)
Now, let's look at some real life cases:
Magneto Hand
The first one is a 34 year old male named Daniel, who lost his hand. A research institution named Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, created a fully functioning prosthetic for Daniel, with no electronics. The key? magnets. They had implanted magnets into his muscles, that allowed him to control the prosthetic hand with his mind. Isn't that amazing? It's called myokinetic control. In the most simplest terms, Daniel could control the magnets with the muscles in the forearms, these magnets that gave off certain signals via magnetic fields, which then triggered the hand.
A New Hand is as Much as a Meal Nowadays
The second case study is about an 8-year-old boy who lost his hand to a traumatic wrist amputation, but received a 3D-printed prosthetic. By scanning his residual limb, the team created a custom-fit design, then printed it with lightweight, low-cost materials. This personalized approach allowed the boy to regain daily function comfortably, showcasing 3D printing’s potential to deliver accessible, functional prosthetics, especially valuable for children who quickly outgrow traditional devices and for patients in underserved areas. This is advantageous for healthcare as the 3D printing materials costed about 20$! making it a great tool for production, not to mention the turnaround time.
AI Integrated Prosthetics
This last one is quite interesting as it involves my two favorite things: AI and 3D printing! Imagine this: robotic limbs that don’t just look and feel natural but actually respond to your brain’s signals, moving intuitively as if they’re truly part of you. This is the future we’re stepping into, as researchers push the boundaries of what’s possible in prosthetic technology.
Here’s how it works: AI acts as the brain behind these prosthetics, interpreting neural signals so users can control their prosthetic limbs with precision and ease. Meanwhile, 3D printing steps in to custom-fit each device, creating comfortable, personalized components for a truly tailored experience. It’s not just about restoring mobility; it’s about making sure every movement feels natural and seamless.
What’s the big picture? For healthcare, this means prosthetics that are more accessible, affordable, and adaptable to individual needs, breaking down barriers for amputees everywhere. Plus, with these technologies continuing to advance, the dream of personalized medicine is becoming a reality, especially in places where quality prosthetic care has been hard to come by.
Conclusion
So, will we all soon be walking around like Cyborg from Teen Titans, with prosthetics that boost our strength, enhance our senses, or even double as tools? Well, maybe not tomorrow, but we’re definitely on the path! With advancements in AI and 3D printing, today’s prosthetics are quickly catching up to the stuff of sci-fi—bringing comfort, functionality, and personalization to a whole new level. Whether it’s magnets, neural interfaces, or AI-driven responses, these cutting-edge designs are breaking down barriers in healthcare, making high-tech prosthetics more accessible, affordable, and, yes, maybe even a little “superhuman.”
Who knows? In a few years, having a prosthetic that enhances your daily life might just be as normal as using a smartphone. If you're a healthcare institution who is interested in levelling up your healthcare to your patients, please reach out to us to make this come true.
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