Objet Geometries is partnering with the nonprofit miraclefeet, dedicated to treating children born with clubfoot in developing nations, to give families a simple, effective and affordable brace for treatment of the ailment.
Objet Geometries, a provider of 3D printing technology, has partnered with the nonprofit miraclefeet, dedicated to treating children born with clubfoot in developing nations. With 3D printing services and materials donated by Objet, miraclefeet is designing a new brace (called magic shoes!) that will be simple, effective and more affordable for families in developing countries that have children suffering from clubfeet. It's a unique use of a technology that could potentially improve the lives of many children.
Clubfoot is a birth defect that causes one or both feet to turn inward and downward. Although, it is easily treated using a series of casts and a brace that restore full functionality of the feet in 95 percent of cases, many families in developing countries cannot afford or do not have access to such treatment.
As a result, about one million people live with untreated clubfoot, walking on the sides of their feet or even on their knees, and enduring considerable physical pain, humiliation and isolation, says the company.
The Objet/miraclefeet team plans to make the brace more appealing to children than the sterile-looking devices currently available--hopefully improving long-term success rates of the treatment.
The miraclefeet designers include mechanical engineer Dr. Mike North, who hosts the Discovery Channel program, “Prototype This!” and first approached Objet about the project. The brace is currently in development.
Objet Geometries, a provider of 3D printing technology, has partnered with the nonprofit miraclefeet, dedicated to treating children born with clubfoot in developing nations. With 3D printing services and materials donated by Objet, miraclefeet is designing a new brace (called magic shoes!) that will be simple, effective and more affordable for families in developing countries that have children suffering from clubfeet. It's a unique use of a technology that could potentially improve the lives of many children.
Clubfoot is a birth defect that causes one or both feet to turn inward and downward. Although, it is easily treated using a series of casts and a brace that restore full functionality of the feet in 95 percent of cases, many families in developing countries cannot afford or do not have access to such treatment.
As a result, about one million people live with untreated clubfoot, walking on the sides of their feet or even on their knees, and enduring considerable physical pain, humiliation and isolation, says the company.
The Objet/miraclefeet team plans to make the brace more appealing to children than the sterile-looking devices currently available--hopefully improving long-term success rates of the treatment.
The miraclefeet designers include mechanical engineer Dr. Mike North, who hosts the Discovery Channel program, “Prototype This!” and first approached Objet about the project. The brace is currently in development.