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3D Printing: How might it help disabled people?

3D Printing: How might it help disabled people?

3D Printed Products

3D Printed Products

3D printing is a revolutionary new development which has unfortunately been in the news for the wrong reasons. However when it’s looked at critically it can only be a positive move for the world’s technological and even medical industries. 3D printing can revolutionise the lives of millions of disabled people through some of its many applications.

3D: Printing the Future

The Science Museum, London has an ongoing exhibition – 3D: printing the future which looks at all the innovative ways of utilising this technology for the benefit of mankind. It showcases the power and versatility offered by 3D printing equipment and the collection includes over 600 printed objects. Some are little more than a bit of fun whilst others could genuinely be life changing.

This exhibition shows how innovative technologists and medical technicians are able to turn data into 3D printed objects which could have life changing impact. The exhibition focuses mainly on the future of modern industry, medicine and how 3D shopping could change your everyday shopping experience. Here we’re looking at some of the ways 3D printing is already being used for the benefit of people around the world.

3D Printing for Disabled People

BWyP3cJIAAA_tSjHundreds of disabled people have already been helped by 3D printed products. It has the potential to make the clinical, ugly assistive equipment more personalised and part of the person rather than an unmatched addition. This is only the beginning however and below we’re looking at the practical applications of 3D printing for disabled people.

3D Printed Prosthetics

The Nemours Biomedical Research facility at the Alfred duPoint Hospital for Children in Wilmington researched and developed a unique durable exoskeleton. This exoskeleton was made through 3D printing and it was able to be fitted to a child, Emma Lavelle, who had previously been unable to raise her arms or use her legs. As this video shows the WREX exoskeleton has revolutionised her life:

 

Further examples of the 3D printing of prosthetics can be found in Europe. An elderly woman was able to have her jaw replaced, based upon a 3D printed model of her lower mandible. The woman had unfortunately had her jaw removed due to an infection and was considered very high risk due to her age and related factors. The researchers from Belgium and Holland were able to utilise 3D printing to develop a unique jaw replacement for this lucky patient, who was able to speak and swallow normally within a single day of the operation.

3D Printed Organs

BWyOaFbIQAAsO_YThere are recorded cases where 3D printing has been used to print organs built from the patient’s own body cells. There is scope that this could revolutionise the organ donation network and whilst there are thousands of people waiting for donations another method of replacing organs really is much needed.

Using 3D printing a doctor at Wake Forest’s Regenerative Medicine Department (North Carolina) was able to develop artificial scaffolds in the shape of an organ with living cells. The department is now working towards developing printing equipment that can print these scaffolds and living cells simultaneously. The doctor in question, Dr Anthony Atala, has presented a TED Talk on the subject.

Other Applications

3D Printing

3D Printing for Facial Reconstruction

The benefits of 3D Printing for disabled people doesn’t necessarily have to be medical. There have been developments of an educational and entertainment based nature which strive towards inclusion. There have been developments of 3D printer equipment for mathematics and science study for the partially sighted, with graphs and data being accessible in a way that has never been possible before.

Equally others have been able to utilise 3D printing to build custom game controllers to support people living with physical disabilities and enhance their gaming experiences. Many different people have shown their home-developed game controllers simply through utilising 3D printing equipment and this is something which really could revolutionise people’s daily life.

There are 3D printed utensils designed to help people with fine motor difficulties and 3D printing is also allowing people who may not have been able to afford a prosthetic to build their own with the support of their families and friends.

BWyN3SlIAAATLIPTechnology can be harnessed to work towards inclusivity and with 3D printing gaining steam on a daily basis it’s clear it’s something everybody should take note of.

The Science Museum London’s insightful exhibition is accessible between 10am and 6pm every day, except over Christmas, until 15th June 2014. It gives you the chance to see this astounding technology in action and take a closer look at some of its applications.

Liverpool Mi Smarthouse

Liverpool Mi Smarthouse

Mi Smarthouse Kitchen Area

Mi Smarthouse Kitchen Area

At the Museum of Liverpool there’s a small, unassuming exhibition which looks like the recreation of a normal house. When you get inside you realise it has been setup with every possible gadget and gizmo to support independence. The Mi Smarthouse is a project put together by More Independent (Mi).

More Independent is a Government-funded initiative that is being piloted across four UK regions. As there website says the scheme exists to:

  • enable you to take charge of your health, wellbeing and lifestyle
  • use technology to allow you to feel safer and live more independently in your own home
  • give peace of mind to yourself and your family
  • reduce the amount of time you have to spend on appointments, by supporting you to manage better at home

The Mi Smarthouse at the museum is kitted out with a wide range of equipment covering all the key areas of the home. Here we’re taking a look at some of the gadgets they’ve highlighted and used in their perfect, accessible home.

General

These gadgets could be useful at any place in your home and can make it feel more safe and secure.

Fall Detector

Fall Detector

Fall Detector

A fall detector can be worn around your neck and it connected to a system which will alert your carer if you do fall even if they’re not on the premises.

Large Buttons Picture Telephone

Phone keypads can be hard to use and it can also be difficult to remember phone numbers. This phone has spaces for photographs of those people you call regularly as well as large, clear numbers for when you need to dial out.

Home Safety Alert

The Mi Smarthouse has a bonus caller panic button installed by the front door, giving the residents the chance to press the button if anyone arrives at the door who they’re not comfortable with. Similar home safety alarm system can be found elsewhere too.

Supra KeySafe

Supra KeySafe

Supra KeySafe

The Supra KeySafe is the UK’s first police approved key safe and is the perfect place to store your emergency keys. You choose a combination number and you can share this number only with somebody you trust implicitly.

Carbon Monoxide Sensor

Carbon monoxide can kill. It’s odourless and can’t be seen so the only way to sense it before it is too late is with a dedicated carbon monoxide sensor. Sensors can be easily installed and can save your life.

Fingerprint Lock

A fingerprint lock is a great option if you struggle with keys. You can add the details of your carer and friends as authorised ‘pad-pressers’ so they can get in and out with ease when necessary too.

Kitchen

We’ve talked regularly about the importance of gadgets to make access to the kitchen easier. It’s potentially a dangerous environment so anything to make it less so is a good invention in our book. In the Mi Smarthouse they demonstrated a range of kitchen-specific gadgets.

Talking Microwave

The controls on a microwave oven can be difficult if you have difficulties with your vision or dexterity. A Talking Microwave Oven can help guide you to the buttons you need and it will also tell you when the door is open or closed and let you know whether the food needs stirring or left to stand.

Induction Hob

An induction hob only cooks the pot upon it. There is next to no danger of being burned by it and they’re becoming a common installation in supported living environments to aid independence. This type of hob is also energy efficient and reaches top temperatures in record time. In the Mi House the hob was fitted but they can also be bought as separate electric units .

One cup Kettle

one-cup_kettleWe’ve talked before about how useful the one cup kettle can be. Never worry about spilling boiling water as the kettle will dispense the exact amount you need with the simple pressing of a button.

Entertainment and Living Area

Many of these items listed below could be used all around the house but are most useful when you’re relaxing in front of the TV or lounging on the sofa.

Big Switch and Remote

Big Switch Remote

Big Switch Remote

A Remote Control Big Switch can be positioned wherever you need it to avoid bending to switch off items which have plug sockets uncomfortably out of reach. The big switch can be used with any electrical appliance in the home.

Voice Recorder Switches

If speech has always been or is becoming difficult then these small voice recorder switches can be used to record key phrases. They can have messages such as ‘I’m hungry’ or ‘I want to go home’ ready recorded for when you’re home or out and about when speech has become difficult.

Chair Occupancy Alert

This item is extremely useful if you have an outside care team supporting you as it allows them to monitor the time spent out of your chair. If it seems exceptionally long they may phone you or come around the check everything is OK.

Big Jack Controller

Big Jack Multi-Controller

Big Jack Multi-Controller

The Big Jack can replace all your smaller, fiddly remotes and switches. It can be programmes for a whole range of jobs and can be used to change channels on the TV, switch off lights and even use the telephone.

Personal Care

The personal care element of the home is the most private. Both the bedroom and bathroom are places where you want to maintain as much independence as possible and some of these gadgets are designed to guarantee this as well as ensure you can get the help you need, when you need it.

Epilepsy Sensor

Epilepsy Sensor

Epilepsy Sensor

Living with any form of epilepsy or convulsions can be extremely frightening – especially if you’re alone when one occurs. This epilepsy sensor will alert an outdoor care team if a seizure is taking place, allowing them to provide the right support ASAP.

Enuresis Sensor

Enuresis Sensor

Enuresis Sensor

Designed to fit comfortable under the top sheet, an enuresis sensor will alert your carer to the fight signs of dampness whilst in bed – ensuring you’re not left uncomfortable for a long period of time. We have looked at these aids previously for helping children but they can be equally useful later in life.

Flood Detector

A flood detector will guarantee you never forget about another bath. It’s very easy to forget the bath is running but with the installation of a simple detector, it will be safe and you can avoid the risks of damage to your home and the even higher risk of slipping.

The Mi Smarthouse in Liverpool is one of the first examples of how all this technology can come together and successfully be used to help people remain in their own homes independently. You can take a virtual tour of the Smarthouse here. We recently visited the £D printing exhibition at the London Science Museum and will cover the potential benefits in a future post.

Ataxia Awareness Day – Living with Ataxia

 Ataxia Awareness Day

Ataxia South Wales Wristbands

September 25th 2013  is Ataxia Awareness Day. Ataxia is a rare condition that many people haven’t even heard of and our main connection with the condition is due to one of our most loyal Trabasaxons Alan Thomas living with cerebellar ataxia. We’re always pleased to see Alan on his worldwide adventures and always getting great use out of his Trabasack.

What is Ataxia?

Ataxia is a coverall name given to a group of different neurological disorders which have a profound effect upon balance, coordination and speech. There are many different types of ataxia that effect people in different ways.

Some of the many types of ataxia include:

  • Friedreich’s Ataxia – thought to be the most common type of hereditary ataxia and usually first noticed between the ages of 8 and 15.
  • Ataxia-telangiectasia – AT is a much rarer form of hereditary ataxia which effects 1 in 100,000.
  • Spinocerebellar Ataxias – SCAs are a group of hereditary ataxias which again affect about 1 in 100,000 people. SCA symptoms don’t usually make themselves known until adulthood.
  • Episodic Ataxia – as the name suggests episodic ataxia is another hereditary form of the condition which comes in phases but much of the time the person has no symptoms. Symptoms usually begin in the teenage years and can be a reflexive response to stress, exercise or alcohol amongst other triggers.
  • Idiopathic late onset cerebellar ataxia – ILOCA usually occurs after 50 years of age and degenerates over time.

Ataxia can affect anybody at any age but as the above examples show different types of the condition are more likely to be diagnosed at certain points in an individual’s life.

There are believed to be approximately 10,000 adults in the UK living with a type of ataxia and research suggests several thousand children too.

Currently there is no known cure for ataxia although some forms can be treated effectively. Research is continually being carried out and funded by Ataxia UK who are dedicated to finding a cure as this video shows:

What causes Ataxia?

Ataxia is a condition in its own right but it can also be a symptom of other conditions including multiple sclerosis and can also occur due to a head trauma or intoxication. Ataxia which isn’t caused by any of these factors is likely to be a hereditary condition caused by a faulty gene passed through the family or in some instances non-hereditary or sporadic.

Research has also shown that Friedreich’s ataxia is caused by a defect in the gene which produces the protein fraxatin. Understanding this gene helps move research forward towards ambitions of a cure.

Ataxia UK’s research projects are focused on finding out exactly what causes different ataxias and pinpointing the individual genes responsible for these conditions. At present approximately 28 genes have been discovered which cause spinocerebellar ataxia and research continues to ascertain how these genes are effective and make steps towards finding treatment and eventually the cures needed.

Trabasaxon Alan Thomas

Alan and the Trabasack Team

Now we’re back to Alan’s story. Alan has been a huge supporter of our business for many years and we’re really grateful for all the action shots he takes with his Trabasack and we love seeing where he takes it next.

Alan had always walked with a trademark ‘wobble’ and spoken with a small slur but this was just part of who he was. He found a career as an electrician but it was making sandwiches which showed him something wasn’t quite right. Coordination was becoming extremely difficult and after numerous visits to GPs trying to convince them something was definitely wrong, by 34 Alan had his diagnosis of cerebellar ataxia.

Rather than resting on his laurels Alan realised there was very little information about ataxia available and endeavoured to change this. He wanted to make a difference so people living with ataxia could easily access and obtain information about the condition and eventually became a Trustee of Ataxia UK and the Chairman of Ataxia South Wales.

Much of Alan’s work is online supporting other people worldwide with Ataxia and moderating Living with Ataxia an online community

Alan making great use of his Trabasack

for the conditions. He also attends as many national conferences as is feasible and is dedicated to spreading the world about ataxia.

Alan made this video about Keeping Positive with ataxia and the user comments afterwards show what a positive impact his work has. As on commenter says:

“Alan has shown me that my three year old daughter Jade has a lot to look forward to and achieve in her life to come. Jade has Ataxia and by the time I met Alan, I was full of despair for my daughter. Not anymore. Alan – you are truly an inspiration to me and many others like my daughter. You have shown me that Jade has a wonderful life in front of her and I can never thank you enough for that.”

Gadgets for Ataxia

Alan has already highlighted how useful his Trabasack has been for many purposes from carrying drinks and food to taking notes but there are other gadgets which can be hugely beneficial for people living with Ataxia including:

Greepers Laces – removing the need to struggle with the coordination needed to tie them up

UnPlugz – to make removing plugs from sockets simple and safe

HandSteady – a drinking cup with a rotatable handle, making it easier to keep steady than traditional cups

Signature Name Stamps – if you find it hard to write a consistent signature try this idea

Spread the Word – Ataxia Awareness Day

Ataxia Awareness Day is 25th September every year and it’s an opportunity to spread the word about a little known condition which many thousands of people live with. The more awareness there is for the condition the less people will feel isolated and more can be done to research and develop treatments.

All photos in this post are courtesy of Alan Thomas’ fantastic Flickr account.

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