e-NABLE 3D printing prosthetic devices

Target SDGs

Market Suggested Retail Price

$35.00

Target Users (Target Impact Group)

Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, Public Sector Agencies, NGOs

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

Prosthetics are distributed by the volunteers of the community.

Competitive Landscape

Direct competitors include Adjustable prosthetic limb, CURE Prosthetics, and Polypropylene Prosthesis.

Manufacturing/Building Method

Prosthetics are manufactured and delivered by the volunteers of the community to the recipients, following a previously scheduled meeting. Assemble materials kits are provided by the e-NABLE Community. 

Intellectural Property Type

Open-source

User Provision Model

Delivery from manufacturer (Volunteer).

Distributions to Date Status

7000 prosthesis delivered and gifted as of 2021.

Design Specifications

Devices must be affordable and light. The prosthetics should provide full range of motion, matching adduction and abduction degrees of typical human motion. Also, it must ensure patient comfort and is easy to put on. Designers wanted it to be durable, in order to withstand all operating conditions for 1-2 years. Finally, design should be reproducible, to be easily printed and improved in all parts of the world.

Product Schematics

Technical Support

Provided by the volunteer and the e-NABLE Community.

Replacement Components

Assembly components can be found at the shop.

Lifecycle

Depends on the usage and the material selected. The hands hold up efficiently to activities like riding a bike, throwing a ball, swimming, and others. The Gripper Hand endures 60 pounds of pressure. The hands sustained minor damage, but survived. Additionally, the hands can also be printed in a variety of materials, including very durable nylon.

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

e-NABLE prosthetics should be affordable, light, provide full range of motion, comfortable, durable, reproducible, and easy to put on.

Vetted Performance Status

A group of students has conducted initial impact testing by dropping the hands from a height of several stories. The hand resisted a 5 story fall, demonstrating its resilience and durability.

Safety

The e-NABLE Community recommends that children be at least 3 years old before wearing a device due to the choking hazards that small parts pose and so that children can have the chance to learn to do everyday things without a helper hand.

Complementary Technical Systems

User who wants to manufacture the prosthetics must have a 3-D printer.

Academic Research and References

Compliance with regulations

These are experimental devices, and have not been reviewed by FDA. They come with a disclaimer of liability, and the community is actively looking for test pilots. Recipients whose residual limb is pressure tolerant, and does not require a highly customized device may well appreciate an e-NABLE device, it is always recommended to consult a doctor before considering an e-NABLE device.

Evaluation methods

Researchers are currently collecting data on 20 patients using e-NABLE hands to assess their effect on functional outcomes, as well as patients’ views on when the hands are useful and when they are not.

Other Information

3D Universe is a partner of the community.