A chipped tooth gets a crown. Custom-fitted by the dentist for optimal use.
Prosthetic limbs help people walk or handle things again. But artificial body parts are often mass-produced, not tailor-made.
A research team from Nottingham University is aiming to change that. Their new process allows prosthetics to be individually 3D printed.
The best part? Both the flexibility and robustness of artificial limbs are adapted to the needs of the individual.
An algorithm calculates exactly how much silicon and metal is required where in the part in each case. A prosthetic finger was sturdy enough to be implanted while still retaining its flexibility.
What’s more, the materials used are resistant to bacteria, reducing the danger of infection. Goodbye antibiotics!
