Qualitative & Quantitative Assessment of 3D Printing of Prostheses in Low Economic Setting

Abstract

The applicability and cost effectiveness in prosthetic industry is monumental. Underdeveloped parts of the World are coping with challenges like poverty, lack of technology & expertise, natural & man-made disasters as well as conundrums of untapped explosive mines. In addition, people living in such areas are mainly associated with labour intensive professions working in small industries and agriculture lacking health & safety measures. Individuals exposed to such environment are often prone to accidents due to safety lapses & fatal diseases and need low-cost prosthetic devices due to amputation in order to rehabilitate, get back to work and live a better quality of life. The consideration of supply chain models, technology used in additive manufacturing, materials properties, cost & customer satisfaction is essential for optimizing the use of 3D printing & additive manufacturing in prosthesis in such parts of the World. The usage of novel techniques such as 3D Printing and conventional methods like Injection Molding and feasibility of providing optimum solution in terms of hybrid models while considering the advantages of availability, affordability and mass production of conventional techniques, and prototype development, simulation, customization and design freedom using 3D printing & additive manufacturing is qualitatively & quantitatively analyzed in this paper.