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Handicap International members learn patient-measuring skills using the wireless Artec Leo 3D scanner.
Artec 3D has begun working with Handicap International to manufacture custom prosthetic devices for beneficiaries in refugee camps and their host communities in Rwanda.
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According to the United Nations, in Rwanda more than 51,000 people need prostheses. Many suffered loss of limbs during the 1994 genocide, and others were injured in road accidents or lost limbs due to disease.
Traditional prosthetics are made in bulk, rather than custom-fit to the individual. This often leads to pain and sores due to ill-fitting prosthetics. The need for a more customized solution is paramount.
By deploying Artec Leo 3D scanners, this partnership revolutionizes the process of measuring and creating tailored prostheses, orthoses, and supports. The 3D scanners capture measurements with pinpoint accuracy, minimizing invasiveness and making these services accessible, even in remote areas. For young patients, digital measurement is particularly beneficial because it allows devices to be 3D printed for continuous adjustments that accommodate growth.
Rwanda, with its unwavering commitment to digital innovation and its supportive political climate, emerged as an ideal stage for this transformative program, introducing cutting-edge technologies like 3D scanning.
This initiative in Rwanda wasn’t just a local story. At Artec 3D, we believe that it could be the beginning of a larger movement, setting a precedent for similar projects in other countries where Handicap International operates. The potential for expanding this technology is immense, promising to enhance rehabilitation services globally.
Central to this journey is the portable, wireless, and AI-powered 3D scanner, Artec Leo. With its built-in display and a powerful processor, this all-in-one device simplifies the process of capturing measurements, ensuring precision and accuracy. The user-friendly nature of the scanner, combined with Artec Studio software, allows for easy processing of scanned data. The data quickly transform into 3D meshes ready for modeling medical devices that fit snugly and comfortably, improving long-term comfort for patients.
Artec 3D experts train medical staff to use the wireless Artec Leo 3D scanner.
When implementing technological innovations in humanitarian efforts, ease of use and portability are vital. Being able to easily train teams on the ground is crucial to deploying technology such as 3D scanners effectively. That’s why Artec 3D has sent both a batch of Artec Leo scanners and a specialist team to Rwanda to provide volunteers with the simplest possible digital patient-measuring solution.
With the help of Artec experts, the Handicap International team has learned to use 3D scanning to accurately measure arms, legs, and torsos for customized prosthetic and orthosis solutions. In fact, Rwandan volunteers have found Leo easy to understand and have already passed a troubleshooting test, proving that they’re ready to use the technology for treating patients in practice.
“When you first use Leo, you think you need to be slow and steady. But they quickly realized they could use it like an artist to ‘paint’ models,” says Jerry Klein, one of two Artec 3D project-training experts deployed to Rwanda. The staff have quickly learned how to digitize anatomies and prepare scan data in Artec Studio, an AI-powered 3D modeling software, for performing inspections and reverse-engineering operations. These features and skills empower their medical staff to provide tailored solutions efficiently.
Compared to low-cost, alternative 3D scanners they’d tried before, the volunteers also found Leo much easier to master. Using the tips and tricks picked up from Artec specialists, it’s now anticipated that they’ll be able to rapidly and painlessly measure patients for everything from custom limb sockets to casts and braces.
This project in Rwanda demonstrates the value of easily deployable technology for revolutionizing and broadening healthcare access. The digital revolution in 3D scanning and printing is playing a significant role in healthcare innovation. Producing prostheses in this way bypasses traditional, labor-intensive supply chains. This efficiency is crucial for delivering timely humanitarian aid.
Artec 3D’s experiences in Rwanda have highlighted the transformative potential of 3D printing in medical manufacturing. It supports a beneficiary-centered approach and aligns with the community-based, inclusive development model. Community-based programs remove barriers limiting people with disabilities and ensure they are respected and included in their communities on an equal basis. This also helps teams to reduce infrastructure and equipment costs, because the technology makes producing assistive devices more sustainable and accessible to those in the countries where these projects operate.
Additionally, the success of this program presents additional opportunities to help others. The company remains committed to supporting Rwanda as well as exploring new ways to apply technologies in clinics and hospitals worldwide.
The partnership between Handicap International and Artec 3D in Rwanda showcases the potential of combining advanced technology with humanitarian efforts. By leveraging 3D scanning and printing, the initiative not only enhances the quality of life for individuals with disabilities, but also sets a precedent for sustainable, efficient, and compassionate healthcare solutions globally.
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