Developing Athletic Prosthetics Via 3D Printing

Abstract

Prosthetic limbs present a highly unique research challenge, requiring intense customization for optimal use cases. These challenges are heightened for athletes, who engage with their prosthetics in highly competitive environments, placing them under tremendous stress. Thomas Normandeau, a champion Para Athlete, approached Camosun Innovates to develop such a prosthetic, able to aid him in his training regimens and reduce the risk of injury. Camosun Innovates undertook a human-centered design approach that foregrounded Normandeau’s needs and observations. Through a mixture of digital scanning and 3D-printed parts constructed using Nylon 12, a unique carbon-reinforced nylon traditionally used in the aerospace and automotive industries, the Camosun team was able to rapidly iterate a customized, properly-fitted prosthetic with unique, lightweight joint pieces precisely calibrated to Normandeau’s arm length, and without sacrificing the prosthetic’s ability to hold up under tension. The success of this prototype holds potential for other prosthetics both within and without the athletic sphere, with the potential to help users with exercise routines and common lifting and carrying tasks, from grocery shopping to household chores.