3-D Printed ‘Magic Arms’ Allow Toddler With Birth Defect to Hug Her Mom
- Posted on August 6, 2012 at 3:09pm by
Liz Klimas
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Two-year-old Emma was born with a defect that severely affected her ability to move appendages like her arms. She couldn’t play with blocks, feed herself or even wrap her arms around her parents.
Now, thanks to the versatility and customizable options available from 3-D printing technology, researchers have “printed” an “exoskeleton” that is allowing her to move her arms independently for the first time.
(Image: YouTube screenshot)
As Emma’s mother, Megan Lavelle, describes in a YouTube video, Emma’s disorder is known as arthrogryposis multiplex congenita.
“When she was born, her legs were up by her ears and her shoulders were internally rotated,” Lavelle, said in the video.
As heartbreaking as this news was for a new mother, she soon found out about a conference in Philadelphia about the Wilmington Robotic Exoskeleton (WREX), presented by doctors at duPont Hospital for Children. The WREX technology, according to Core 77, is not necessarily new, but its functionality for children as small as Emma was previously too heavy.
(Related: 3-D Printer Gives 83-Year-Old Woman a New Jaw)
This is where Tariq Rahman and Whitney Sample thought to bring in 3-D printers. Core 77, a design magazine, has more on the innovation:
Rahman and Sample found that, with the use of 3D printers, they were able to create a lightweight and flexible working prosthetic for Emma, that is customizable with easily replicated broken parts. The custom exoskeletons are printed in ABS plastic and attached to a plastic vest. Because of the ease of manufacturing, the exoskeleton can grow with the child which makes 3D printing especially exciting for those working in pediatric care.
The researchers first had the device attached to a solid structure before they created a mobile vest for Emma. (Image: YouTube screenshot)
(Image: YouTube screenshot)
Lavelle said the weigh difference from using plastic instead of traditional metal was significant enough that Emma was finally able to begin playing and eating by herself.
“For a child who only weighs 25 pounds, it makes a big difference,” Lavelle said, explaining that she has already outgrown her first vest and is onto her second. “It’s still evolving into this incredible prosthetic that helps her to use her arms.
(Image: YouTube screenshot)
(Image: YouTube screenshot)
At one point, Lavelle said Emma called the vest her “magic arms.” Even Emma’s first complete sentence was about the prosthetic. One of the researchers explains in the video that they had taken the device off Emma to make some adjustments and she said “I want that.” At this point, Lavelle teared up and explained this was her daughter’s first sentence.
Watch the clip sharing Emma’s story:
Sample said that with children, the pediatric industry is one that can greatly benefit from 3-D printing devices as they need “custom everything.” Sample called the plastic used by the machine from which they printed Emma’s WREX as “human friendly” given its durability.
Now, 15 children in situations similar to Emma use these prototype exoskeletons, according to Core 77.
Learn more about the WREX printed by a Dimensions 3-D printer here.
(H/T: Daily Mail)
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Stegall TX
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 2:50pmI love this story, but I have to wonder how they are getting away with building a prosthetic without FDA approval? The FDA approval process made the iBOT 4000, a wheelchair that could provide independence for many para- and quadriplegics, too expensive to market effectively, so the project was abandoned in 2009.
Is it because these are “prototypes”? If that is the case, can I “custom build” iBOT wheelchairs and skip the FDA process so they can be built and sold at a reasonable price?
Report Post »OniKaze
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 11:12amWow…. As happy as I am for her, I can only imagine how happy she is… I hope for only the best for this girl (and others like her…) and hope that some day we can help her genetically to grow strong enough that this is no longer needed…
But for the people responsible for this… You are ALL GREAT…. and should be VERY proud…
Side note: I wonder when Obama will step in and see her moving some wooden blocks and tell her, “You didn’t move that….”
Hopefully people will wake up and realize that Obamacare will nearly destroy this kind of research by taxing it out of existence…
Report Post »bigdaddyt46
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 6:43amwhat an amazing, beautiful child. i pray to God that one day she will outgrow the need for the magic arms altogether. God’s hand is evident every day.
Report Post »ChevalierdeJohnstone
Posted on August 7, 2012 at 1:29amThat’s really cool.
Report Post »pavepaws
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 9:42pmWow.
Report Post »BenFrank1791
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 8:53pmWonderful work.
Report Post »COFemale
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 7:37pmWhat a wonderful little girl and a heartwarming story. I am so glad we have this type of technology in order to help handicapped people who have trouble with everyday functions function in a normal capacity. God bless the doctors.
Report Post »nealb4zodd
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 7:04pmWhat a great great story – - how cute is that kid? . beaming while she colors and holds the crayon. . . . Love the “magic arms”. – also love how the jacket and arms almost look like wings. – great story.
Report Post »spirited
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 7:02pmThank you for posting this story and the video.
>sigh
Report Post »bdandsl
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 6:48pmBless her heart!
Report Post »1stzookid
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 5:09pmAwesome! This is what technology should be about. Stop all the texting and do something GREAT with those smarts and fingers.
Report Post »IMCHRISTIAN
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 4:51pmWhat a great story. What a loving Mother and God Bless those inventors-they deserve praise, honor and recognition. Love not hate Truth not lies
Report Post »stop
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 3:38pmHey Mr. President,
Report Post »THEY BUILT THAT !!!!
1stzookid
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 5:10pmI didn’t think of this one but it is so true. Mr. President look they built that. Glad you remembered
Report Post »MikaelScot
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 3:33pmAmerica at its best. Improvise, adapt, overcome, and a hug for Mom in the bargain.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 3:33pmTHIS is the kind of story all news sites should be declaring!
Report Post »AnAmericanRaven
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 4:31pmThis is what people can do when the Government isn’t involved
Report Post »AnAmericanRaven
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 4:34pmand we know that they won’t due to it not filling the L-MSM’s agendia
Report Post »hi
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 3:28pmAwesome!
Report Post »QuincySmith
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 4:13pmAnd Emma is a cutie!
Report Post »Johnny916
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 3:17pmThis is why I love science and technology that help people enabling them to live their lives to the fullest. A modern day miracle.
Report Post »Want our country back
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 3:24pmWhat a darling child. We overcome a lot, if given a chance. Thank God for great minds.
Report Post »sWampy
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 3:30pmEngineers solving problems with forward thinking, not scientists trying to promote agendas.
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