On the initiative of North Eastern Council (NEC) along with Composite Regional Centre for Skill Development towards Rehabilitation and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (CRC) Shillong under the administrative control of NIEPMD, Chennai, in collaboration with Assam Electronic Development Corporation Limited (AMTRON), Guwahati – a live Demo – Digital of Prosthetic on August 3 was held in the conference hall of NEC here.
After witnessing the live demo, the NEC felt that along with the partners, the initiative should be taken forward. CRC, Shillong was accordingly requested to select some beneficiaries for case study. Two beneficiaries were finalised to be provided with Custom 3D Scanner Printing Prosthetics with help of AMTRON and National Institution under the administrative control of NIEPMD, Chennai.
On August 28, the Rehabilitation Officer of CRC-Shillong along with the two beneficiaries from Meghalaya and one escort embarked on a journey to NIEPMD, Chennai. In the beginning, the patients had a number of questions. Both the patients had amputated legs.
Based on the digital scanning carried out by AMTRON at NEC, Shillong, the data was provided to P&O Officers of NIEPMD, Chennai for detailed designing of the sockets (includes expert involvement for pressure point markings, weight discharge etc) for final approved digital design and thereafter the sockets for the patients were printed using 3D Scanner Printing Technology.
A 3D Scanner Printed prosthetic generally involves 3D printing of the prosthetic socket and rest of the prosthetic parts like pylon and feet are manufactured traditionally. Only the 3D printed socket is fitted into the pylon. After fitment, the beneficiaries were given the needful instructions by physiotherapist and occupational therapist including the relevant exercises for its optimal use in day to day life.
On September 5, both amputees were fitted with 3D printed socket prosthesis and the beneficiaries were amazed to see that the device fitted excellently well, besides the highly enhanced comfort and much better walk. Before leaving NEIPMD, Chennai, all further queries were answered to the full satisfaction of the beneficiaries. They reached back home safely in Meghalaya on September 6.
The two beneficiaries expressed deep appreciation and gratitude for mobility given due to deployment of 3D printing technology that happened due to efforts of NEC, Composite Regional Centre for Skill Development, Rehabilitation and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (CRC), Shillong under the administrative control of NIEPMD, Chennai and AMTRON.
This experience and initiative have proved and opened to a whole new world for disabled persons as well as those suffering from temporary disability or trauma cases wherein 3D printing technology can help them overcome disabilities by use of customised prosthesis and orthotics assistive devices which were earlier a pipedream.
The solution demonstrated under the aegis if NEC enables capturing and generating accurate digital data regarding geometry and shape of patients’ stumps without the need for the patient undertaking repeat visits to assessment centres.
This shall not only reduce out-of-pocket expenses for disabled persons but the digital repository so created can be used for both trend analysis as well as improving the quality of Continuous Medical Education for Prosthetics or Orthotics as well as other stakeholders. The assistive devices can be provided having custom fit within much shorter time.
3D scanner printing and other related technologies will usher in meeting challenges of health care needs with speed, precision and remarkable enhanced solutions not witnessed so far. Hereafter, NEC intends to engage with concerned Ministry, North East states and suitable institutions like AMTRON to use the technology for covering persons with disabilities all across Meghalaya and other states of North East.
