3D Printing in LMICs: functional design for upper limb prosthetics in Uganda

Hussaini, Ali; Kyberd, Peter; Mulindwa, Benedict; Ssekitoleko, Robert; Keeble, William; Kenney, Laurence; Howard, David

Abstract

Meeting the needs of persons with upper limb loss in Uganda requires an understanding of
the needs and desires of the local population. The limitations of resources and accessibility for the
individual gave rise to a focused design methodology for delivering a culturally acceptable solution
using 3D Printing technology. A series of co-design activities were held in Uganda and provided
direct feedback to drive the design of two prototypes based on acceptable aesthetics and priority
Activities of Daily Living. Two terminal device prototypes were 3D printed in the UK. These can be
directly attached to a standard proximal socket thread. The passive hand was printed in a flexible
filament and the prehensor was printed in a durable impact resistant material. Local researchers in
Uganda have similar 3D printers, filaments, and assembly hardware, which allowed for concurrent
development and refinement of the prototypes. Local participation provides a rich user feedback
environment to understand which elements of prosthetic device design are integral to delivering
acceptable prosthetics solutions for fabrication in Uganda. 3D printing can provide a viable route
to addressing the needs of the user. The proposed terminal devices are now in the process of being
printed locally for field testing.

Citation

Hussaini, A., Kyberd, P., Mulindwa, B., Ssekitoleko, R., Keeble, W., Kenney, L., & Howard, D. (2023). 3D Printing in LMICs: functional design for upper limb prosthetics in Uganda. Prosthesis, 5(1), 130-147. https://doi.org/10.3390/prosthesis5010011

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jan 18, 2023
• Publication Date: Feb 1, 2023
• Deposit Date: Jan 20, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 21, 2023
• Journal: Prosthesis
• Print ISSN: 2673-1592
• Publisher: MDPI
• Volume: 5
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 130-147
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/prosthesis5010011
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.3390/prosthesis5010011