3D Printed Prosthetics Take Superhero Form: Aaron Brown and Volunteer Organization E-Nable Provide Superhero Prosthetics at No Cost to Children in Need [PHOTO]
According to the Huffington Post, a man named Aaron Brown has designed and printed 3D prosthetics for children in need. What makes these prosthetics so special is that they are created in the likeness of superhero limbs, like Wolverine claws.
Brown is a 3D printing enthusiast from Grand Rapids, Michigan, and regularly volunteers for a global organization known as "Enabling the Future" (or E-Nable), which designs and prints prosthetics for people in need. Brown recently thought of making a colorful prosthetic hand to show a children's hospital, and decided that superhero prosthetics would excite his audience.
Technabob reports that Aaron decided to use Michigan Wolverine colors yellow and blue to paint his prosthetic hand with, and that he fashioned a removable set of claws that could be attached to the hand via Velcro. The claws are dull and rounded in order to minimize any risk of harm to the wearer, or anyone else for that matter.
Last month, Brown brought more models of the Wolverine inspired claws to Michigan's Grand Rapids Maker Faire, which is a festival promoting "invention, creativity, and resourcefulness." Naturally, his superhero prosthetics were a big hit. "People's faces just lit up!" he exclaimed in an interview. After the fair, he took the Wolverine hand to a local children's hospital in Grand Rapids.
Fox News reports that Brown's volunteer organization has recently gifted an 'Iron Man' hand to a 3-year old Maui boy with a birth defect. Little Ravyen Kahae was born with amniotic band syndrome (ABS), which reduces blood supply and restricts normal growth. As a result, Raveyn had no hand.
His grandmother, Rulan Waikiki, happened across E-Nable, which was able to provide a 3D printed prosthetic at no cost. Waikiki stated, "He wanted an 'Iron Man' hand... as soon as he put it on and was able to close the hand, his face just lit up."
Seeing how popular his prosthetics turned out to be, Brown plans on continuing to make superhero prosthetics for children and is also working on devices for adults, especially military veterans.
