Everything clinicians need to scan, design, and print high-quality prosthetics and orthotics.
3D PrintAbility is an innovative toolchain we’ve developed alongside researchers at the University of Toronto.
It provides digital scanners, software called NiaFit, and 3D printers — everything a clinician needs to make a 3D printed prosthetic or orthotic.
3D PrintAbility improves on the traditional way of making prosthetics and orthotics by reducing the amount of time and money needed to make a device.
The patient’s residual limb is scanned with a 3D digital scanner.
A 3D model of the prosthetic socket or AFO is created using our software called NiaFit.
The device is printed on-site using a 3D printer. It is then assembled and fitted to the patient.
3D printing, or additive printing, is the process of producing a three dimensional object from a digital file using a special printer that lays downs material layer by layer.
Here’s a video of a 3D printer at work. The printer is producing a transtibial socket — a key component of a lower leg prosthetic.
3D PrintAbility mirrors the manual fabrication process, but it does so in a digital environment. Here’s how the methods compare:
In 2017, we completed a large-scale clinical study of 3D PrintAbility at four sites across Cambodia, Tanzania, and Uganda. In total, approximately 140 children were fitted with 3D printed devices, including 70 transtibial prosthetics and 70 ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs). The results of the studies validated the durability, safety, and appropriateness of our devices.
We also tested the durability of our devices using a 1 million step robotic fatigue test — meeting the standards under ISO 10328:2006.
Alongside researchers at the University of Toronto, we continue to test, validate, and refine our technology to ensure we remain a global leader.
We recently launched a new version of 3D PrintAbility. This version updates the entire toolchain, including scanners, printers, software, and materials. Updates were made based on feedback from testers and partners.
3D PrintAbility will be ready for deployment later this year as part of our Early Adopter Program.