Durable, Waterproof 3D Printed Casts | The Cool Parts Show #58

[@zakariakhamees]

I wish I had this when I broke my arm 3 times! I honestly thought about 3d printing a cast but measuring and modeling a hand is almost impossible and I didn't know about 3d scanners at the time. I hope these will be available in every hospital worldwide and soon.

[@slant3d]

This is a great application

[@raulkaap]

The most relatable episode of all. Ever. One of my friends has a scar that developed under a cast from a cat scratch. I have a deformed finger joint because I opted out of having a disgusting plaster cast but there was no alternative back then. This is heavensent. Also, the app could have options for adding mounting points for lights, electronics, NLAW and MANPAD defensive weapons.

[@soheibmokhtara9986]

This is a fantastic solution. However, the company should think about recycling the used casts, because I think they can be used just one time, as the broken part changes. Thank you for the episode

[@AdditiveManufacturing]

Good point - we'll see what we can find out about the recyclability and/or reusability of the casts.

[@jayedwin98020]

Interesting video. I broke both of my wrists in July 2016. Went to a local ER and got your typical casts. A few days later I went to an Orthopedic clinic, and they remover the ER casts, and made "removable" casts from a semi-rigid, perforated (breathable), poly material, which when heated in water, became very pliable and was easily formed to exactly fit both arms. When this formed poly material cooled, it became rigid again. FYI: one cast went above my left elbow, halfway to my shoulder. These two-piece casts were easy to wear, adjustable, and removable, due to the attached velcro straps that were used, which made for easy removal and cleaning, when required. The main selling point, at least from a cost standpoint, was the casts I was given, were reasonably priced. Another positive was that the fabrication of these casts was quick. I was a little surprised that there was no mention of an "average cost" for these 3D printed casts, similar to the ones you both were wearing in this video.

[@AdditiveManufacturing]

Thanks, Jim. Aside from the perks of your casts, that sounds like a painful experience. The company’s pricing sheet for accessories and the various casts sizes is here: www.activarmor.com/order

[@PeirotheFirescare]

I find applications like these prostheses super I'm looking for a long time something for elbow arthritis in this direction but have found nothing so far. Maybe here in the future ^^

[@stevesloan6775]

How good this cast is to scratch under should be your lead product highlight.

[@dustinbird2090]

When I had wrist surgery, they made a durable removable splint in a few minutes out of this really neat material... It was a type of stiff thermo-plastic sheet with roughly 4mm holes on a diamond grid pattern. That sheet went into a bath of nearly boiling water for only a few seconds before it went limp, then they let it cool before they draped and formed it over my bandaged palm and wrist, made a quick trim of some excess, dunked it back into the hot bath again, made a tighter and better fit and, they let it cool in place to become a perfect match for my wrist. Finally, they finishing it off by attaching three large velcro strips to keep it on tight. Start to finish it felt like it was made in under 4 minutes but at max I'd say 15 minutes. I think 3d printed casts are a cool option which may become really popular but it does have a competitor with a few advantages in quick and simple implementation. Thanks for showcasing this cool 3d printing technology.

[@ricfair7549]

With just a tree branch and some tape, you can make a splint in under 30 seconds! Does that make it better? Designers are still figuring out how to take advantage of all the capabilities 3D printing offers for products like this. Soon we will see casts with multi-material, metamaterials, auxetic structures, embedded hardware, and so on. If they vastly improve patient comfort and outcomes, I'm sure people won't mind waiting 30 minutes for it :)

[@jayedwin98020]

Dustin, I just now finished reading your comments. I should have read your comments first, before making mine. That said, I had an exactly similar experience to yours, in 2016.

[@jayedwin98020]

@@ricfair7549: Your "tree branch and some tape" analogy only works for a very temporary fix, at best. And your comparison is equivalent to comparing Apples & Oranges. Doesn't really work. Dustin and my comments refer to durable, removable, poly casts, and from my inquiries, are quite cost effective, compared to your typical plaster or fiberglass casts. It would also have been nice if a little bit of cost information had been shared regarding the 3D casts shown in this video.

[@aarontarr613]

This is an amazing solution and will help a lot of people! ❤️

[@HejvjdjfGrjgjsjfk]

Price??

[@AdditiveManufacturing]

You can find pricing for ActivArmor's various products here: www.activarmor.com/order

[@thewing331]

I really enjoyed this episode and I am sure Activarmor has a patent, because this whole idea is so cool.

[@saml7610]

I don't care about their patent. I printed my own cast when I broke my ulna last year. Visited my brother at his work, he built a wood jig to hold my arm so it wouldn't move - after the doctor set it at the ER and sent me home splinted (plaster & fiberglass cast was gonna be put on two days later). We laser scanned it, then figured out how to generate a model the next day. The doc was confused when I walked into the exam room, because I didn't have the sling and splint anymore, I had my arm swinging at my hip just fine. He took a look at the cast, said it looked good to him, and sent me off. This should not be monetized. This software should be free, you shouldn't even have to go to a doctor to get such a cast. This kind of technology allows broken bones to be treated at home (albeit, only after a professional has set the break, if needed), so it should be free.

[@barkindustry8150]

ActiveArmor is a great company but they absolutely did not invent this in the slightest. A Spanish startup called Xkelet were some of the very first companies to make it commercially viable back as early as 2018-2019 if I recall.

[@ActivArmor2]

@@barkindustry8150 Hello, ActivArmor's patents were established in 2014. Thanks!

[@ActivArmor2]

@@saml7610 Hi, due to liability, ActivArmor is an FDA regulated medical device, only sold to orthopedic professionals.

[@barkindustry8150]

@@ActivArmor2 I stand corrected. Thanks for clarifying!

[@saeed6811]

Is this app free? I want to print gaiters for my son who had brain injury hence CP.

[@AdditiveManufacturing]

Very sorry to hear about your son's injury. The app (ActivArmor Scan) is free and is used by physicians who register as ActivArmor providers. This page on the ActivArmor site outlines patient options and a map to find a provider near you: www.activarmor.com/patients

[@IBICO74]

Is the app possible to download and test this? Tried to find it but no luck

[@AdditiveManufacturing]

If you use Apple products, you can find it here: apps.apple.com/us/app/activarmor-scan/id1562373618 Be back soon with info for non-Apple devices.

[@IronMan-yg4qw]

should be pink for her and blue for him. :]

[@markbass_trojanthinking]

👍🏾👍

[@markbass_trojanthinking]

:-)

[@napalmholocaust9093]

For football!? I'd try to prevent the severe head injuries by banning it instead of putting a cast on their head after the fact. Won't really do much about their brain getting smashed to mush until they talk about werewolves being better then vampires at a campaign rally.

[@ozzlemcschnozzle7250]

the only issue i have wit this and things like it is intellectual property rights (which are an absolute joke)