The ultimate goal of medical research is to improve health, but there are still some areas that lack effective answers when fighting diseases.

One of them is spinal muscular atrophy. This is an inherited neuromuscular disease, which means it is hereditary and affects the nerves responsible for muscle function. Children with mild symptoms face the prospect of progressive muscle atrophy, loss of mobility and motor function. All over the world, these children cannot move without special external aids.

The special exoskeleton arm is a device that allows them to move their hands, draw, play and express themselves, just do what children like to do. This idea came from the parents of children with SMA, who could not find a suitable solution. Radek is a child and he moved his arm for the first time thanks to a solution developed by Barłomiej Gaczorek design studio and printed on the Sinterit Lisa 3D printer.

The challenge we face is to design and manufacture cheap, affordable, and easy to install dynamic support exoskeleton arms for children, which are readily available. The comfort and fun of children are always the first consideration and determine the smooth appearance of the equipment and the choice of engineering solutions. Another thing we focus on is to maximize the flexibility of use and reduce the weight of the hand.

The entire production process, including 3D-SLS printing technology, is expected to be highly accurate, time efficient and hands-free as much as possible to save children time waiting for possible movement of their arms.

Thanks to 3D printing and the most advanced design tools, we are able to meet all these requirements. Autodesk Fusion 360 makes complex motion analysis and shape optimization possible. Complicated internal parts can only be produced with strong and non-toxic materials using very sophisticated 3D printers. If there is no SLS 3D printer, the prototyping of the device will be more difficult and time-consuming.

3D printing can greatly shorten the design, testing and development phases of children's exoskeleton arms. This is mainly because it is possible to manufacture and improve prototypes within a few hours. SLS 3D printing can maintain the required accuracy and tolerance (0.05 mm). A significant advantage of selective laser sintering is that it can produce very detailed solid models without printing any supports. Another thing, but equally important, is the availability and feel of the device for disabled children. For SLS, this feeling is definitely the best. In the whole process, the child's comfort is the most important, which is the highest level.

"I decided to print the main elements of SLS technology because of its complicated internal structure. In other technologies, such as FDM, the accuracy and tolerance (0.05mm) required for bearing work cannot be maintained. In addition, FDM is used for printing Need support, and it is very time-consuming to delete it. On the other hand, the user’s comfort, using SLS/SLA technology will be better. Compared with other industrial machines, the cost of Sinterit Lisa SLS printing is already very low and the quality is perfect. "Bartłomiej Gaczorek explained.

There are still many fields in medicine related to improving motor skills, among which 3D printing can be used as an alternative solution, easy to use, and very precise. Children's exoskeleton arms are just one of many possible uses for SLS 3D printing. Most importantly, sinter solutions are now available, inexpensive and easy to use.

l The application of 3D printing technology in the medical field, especially in the improvement of sports skills, is no longer a fantasy. The use of 3D printing technology leads to:

l Create complex internal shapes with sufficient precision to reduce the total number of parts required.

l Because SLS components are sturdy and durable, and light in weight, we have significantly improved user comfort.

l The precision of SLS printed parts opens the way for implementing new solutions and significantly reducing friction between working parts.

l In terms of reducing costs and time, 3D printing can focus on problems and solutions instead of making models by hand. By minimizing the trial and error process and reducing the labor of doctors and designers, it can be provided to recipients faster and cheaper.

In addition, SLS printed parts can be connected with other materials such as metal or printed materials used in other technologies.