When searching for 3D printing prosthetics companies, some considerations include innovation, patient impact, and market leadership.

This article reviews some of the leading companies, focusing on how their customized prosthetic solutions are changing lives.

Benefits of 3D Printing in Prosthetics

3D printing evolves prosthetics by offering customization. This technology allows each device to fit your unique needs with precision and comfort. It also streamlines production, making advanced prosthetics more accessible.

In this section, we will discuss the benefits of 3D printing in prosthetics.

Customization and Comfort

The technology used in 3D printing allows prosthetics to be precisely tailored to your physiology, enhancing comfort and functionality.

These prosthetics can blend soft and hard materials seamlessly by incorporating medical-grade silicone, eliminating the need to separate multiple components and enhancing overall comfort.

Cost-efficiency

3D printing in prosthetics brings a major advantage in cost-efficiency. Traditional prosthesis often comes with high price tags, especially for those without healthcare coverage.

With 3D printing, production costs are significantly reduced by minimizing waste and using more affordable materials, such as thermoplastics. This makes prosthetics more accessible, particularly in regions with limited resources.

Given that materials account for a large portion of production costs, this approach not only enhances user comfort but also brings cost savings. The streamlined, faster production process further adds to the affordability, reducing time and expenses compared to traditional methods.

Efficiency in Production

Efficiency in production stands as a distinctive trait of 3D printing technology, especially in prosthetic development.

The scan-to-print process of additive manufacturing has revolutionized fabrication turnaround times, especially for children and other fast-growing patient demographics who require devices more rapidly.

Design automation cuts down on manual labor and post-processing, speeding up the prosthetic development cycle. This results in shorter wait times and quicker patient recovery.

3D printing technologies like FDM, SLS, and MJF offer various options for creating orthotics and prosthetics with different capabilities, such as:

• Stronger bond formation between layers for increased durability
• Customization for individual patients
• Lightweight designs for improved comfort
• Complex geometries that are difficult to achieve with traditional manufacturing methods

This method of additive manufacturing contributes to efficiency by building devices from the ground up, reducing material waste compared to traditional methods.

8 Leading 3D Printing Prosthetics Companies

Certain companies are leading the way in transforming prosthetics through 3D printing, redefining accessibility, customization, and affordability. These innovators are setting new industry standards, making high-quality prosthetics more accessible to people worldwide.

Unlimited Tomorrow

A young girl smiling while using a prosthetic arm

Unlimited Tomorrow was founded by Easton LaChappelle, who created his first 3D-printed prosthesis at 16 years old. By the age of 18, he established his company to provide prosthetics that are realistic and affordable.

After years of development and testing various technologies, Easton successfully delivered the company’s first 3D-printed prosthesis to a little girl in 2017.

Unlimited Tomorrow leverages advanced 3D printing technology to produce personalized prosthetic arms that are both affordable and highly functional. Their standout product, the TrueLimb, is designed to mimic the natural appearance and movement of a human arm.

The company’s innovative approach includes a direct-to-consumer model, where users can take detailed scans of their residual limbs at home using a 3D scanning kit. This data is then used to create a bespoke prosthetic, minimizing the need for multiple in-person fittings and reducing production costs.

Open Bionics

A man holding a smartphone with an app and Open Bionics Hero Arm holding coffee

Open Bionics is recognized as a pioneer for their innovative contributions to 3D-printed upper limb prosthetics. They leverage this cutting-edge technology to create innovative and affordable solutions.

Their flagship product, the Hero Arm, is a multi-grip bionic prosthetic that offers exceptional control and customization through 3D printing to ensure precise fit and comfortable wear.

Open Bionics' approach focuses on blending functionality with design, allowing users to personalize their prosthetics with various covers and styles, including themes inspired by popular characters and franchises like Iron Man.

The company's advanced 3D printing reduces production time and costs, making high-quality bionic limbs accessible to more people.

e-NABLE

A child with 3D-printed prosthetic hand drawing with chalk on the pavement

e-NABLE is a global community of volunteers, called Digital Humanitarians. They are dedicated to using 3D printing to provide free and low-cost prosthetic upper limb devices for people in need.

Their efforts distributed an estimated 10,000-15,000 free upper limb prosthetics, primarily aiding individuals in underserved communities.

Personal stories of individuals affected by e-NABLE’s work illuminate the human impact of their global outreach, demonstrating the technology’s potential to change lives.

Naked Prosthetics

A man operating machinery with the aid of Naked Prosthetics PIPDriver

Naked Prosthetics specializes in creating functional, 3D-printed prosthetic devices that address the unique needs of individuals with finger and partial hand amputations.

Their standout product, the PIPDriver, showcases how advanced 3D printing technology can craft durable, precise, and tailored prosthetic solutions. It is designed to replicate the natural movement of the finger to regain essential hand functions and improve your quality of life.

The use of 3D printing not only enhances the device's customization but also optimizes the manufacturing process, reducing production time and costs.

This approach ensures that prosthetics are both accessible and practical, providing you with personalized solutions that enhance your daily activities.

UNYQ

A man cycling with a prosthetic leg

With the use of 3D printing technology, UNYQ takes personalization a step further by offering colors and designs that match personal style to transform prosthetic devices into fashion statements and functional tools.

Their covers are designed to protect prosthetic limbs while adding a personal touch, allowing you to express your style and individuality.

The precision of 3D printing enables UNYQ to craft these covers with intricate, personalized designs that fit each user’s unique specifications perfectly.

Mecuris

A close-up of a leg prosthetic with a geometric design worn by a person

Mecuris utilizes 3D printing technology to create highly customized prosthetic and orthotic solutions that cater to individual needs. Central to their approach is the Mecuris Solution Platform, which integrates 3D scanning to ensure precise, tailored fits.

This platform enables medical professionals to easily design and adjust prosthetics online before manufacturing, streamlining the entire process from concept to production.

Limber

A close-up view of a hand holding a smartphone displaying a 3D rendering of a prosthetic thumb

Limber is redefining prosthetic accessibility and functionality through the power of 3D printing. The company focuses on developing affordable, high-quality prosthetic limbs that are tailored to fit individual users.

One of Limber's standout innovations is its commitment to producing prosthetics efficiently and sustainably. The use of additive manufacturing allows for reduced material waste and quicker production timelines, making advanced prosthetics more accessible.

Limbitless Solutions

A man fitting a prosthetic arm on little kid

Limbitless Solutions is a pioneering nonprofit organization at the University of Central Florida that uses 3D printing to create custom, affordable bionic limbs for children and adults. They distribute their bionic solutions by collaborating with hospitals and conducting clinical trials.

It was founded out of a passion for using engineering to make a real-world impact beyond the confines of a lab.

Inspired by a story on the radio about the creation of the first 3D-printed mechanical hands, the Co-founder and President Albert Manero came to the research lab with an urgent mission—to be part of this transformative movement.

Within eight weeks, Limbitless Solutions created their first bionic arm for Alex, their first “Bionic Kid.”

Can I 3D Print My Own Prosthetics?

Yes, you can 3D print prosthetics yourself with the right equipment and resources. Printers like the HP Jet Fusion 5200 make it possible to produce quality prosthetics with precision. But before diving in, consider a few important aspects:

• Printer size: You will need a large-format 3D printer as smaller consumer printers might not have the necessary build volume to produce full-sized parts like a prosthetic leg.
• Quality of output: Printing prosthetics requires consistent quality and strength. You will also need equipment that ensures consistent print quality and an handle the mechanical stress prosthetic limbs endure.
• Budget: High-grade printers and specialty filaments needed for durable prosthetics can be expensive, adding to the cost of entry. Additionally, printing parts like prosthetic legs could take days, which affects both time and material expenses.
• Experience and knowledge: 3D printing prosthetics is not simple—it requires technical skill and expertise. You need knowledge of CAD design to create or modify models and understand how to calculate the strength needed for different prosthetic parts.

If you lack design expertise or prefer professional assistance, Cad Crowd is a platform worth considering. It connects you with skilled freelancers who specialize in designing 3D prosthetics and other custom projects.

Cad Crowd has received recent positive reviews on Trustpilot, reinforcing its reputation as a reliable source of quality CAD services.

Here's how it works:

1. Post your project here. You may need to put in a description, timeline, and software requirements.
2. Receive proposals from vetted freelancers.
3. Select the one that best fits your needs.

After our extensive research online, it became clear that finding ready-made prosthetic designs for purchase is rare, and Cad Crowd is currently the only option available that will help you create custom 3D prosthetic designs.

The 3D-printed prosthetics market was valued at $1.3 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a 7.7% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from 2023 to 2030. This growth is fueled by advancements in 3D printing technology, addressing the limitations of traditional devices. Consequently, sales and adoption of 3D-printed prosthetics are forecasted to rise significantly in the coming years.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a 3D-printed prosthetic cost?

A 3D-printed prosthetic can cost as low as $50, offering a faster production time and the option for customization. This makes it an affordable and personalized option for patients in need.

How has 3D printing technology improved the functionality of prosthetic devices?

3D printing technology has improved the functionality of prosthetic devices by creating complex, tailored structures that mimic natural movement and integrating different materials for a better balance of flexibility and rigidity. It also allows rapid prototyping and adjustments for a better fit and natural functionality.

Can 3D-printed prosthetics be personalized for individual style as well as function?

Yes, 3D-printed prosthetics can be personalized for individual style and function, allowing users to choose designs and colors that reflect their style.