Rosnani Ginting, Aulia Ishak, Fadylla Ramadhani Putri Nasution, Alfin Fauzi Malik, Putri Syahmina Atirah Bangun

Additive Manufacturing in Prosthetics Field: A Literature Review

Introduction

Additive manufacturing in prosthetics field: a literature review. Explore how Additive Manufacturing (3D printing) revolutionizes prosthetics, offering cost-effective, custom-fit, lightweight, and durable solutions for limb loss, enhancing comfort and accessibility.

Abstract

Prosthetic devices play a critical role in restoring mobility and enhancing the quality of life for individuals who have experienced limb loss due to trauma, disease, or congenital conditions. However, the high cost, discomfort, and limited accessibility of conventional prosthetics present ongoing challenges. In response, Additive Manufacturing (AM), particularly 3D printing, has emerged as a transformative solution in the field of prosthetics. This technology enables the creation of patient-specific prosthetic components with complex geometries, improved fit, and reduced weight, all while lowering production costs and minimizing the need for post-processing. Through a comprehensive review of recent studies, this paper explores the advancements and applications of AM in prosthetics, including the integration of machine learning, finite element method (FEM) simulations, and new materials such as PLA, ABS, ASA, and carbon fiber-reinforced composites. Research findings indicate that AM facilitates the development of durable, lightweight, and anatomically accurate devices, such as transfemoral sockets and prosthetic thumbs, which pass international fatigue and safety standards. The studies also highlight the advantages of AM in pediatric prosthetic design, where rapid anatomical changes necessitate frequent adjustments. By streamlining the production process and enabling customization, AM significantly improves comfort, usability, and accessibility for users. This review concludes that additive manufacturing holds immense potential to revolutionize prosthetic development by offering cost-effective, sustainable, and user-centered solutions. The continued advancement and integration of digital manufacturing technologies are poised to address existing limitations in prosthetic care and support the growing global demand for innovative, inclusive, and high-quality assistive devices.

Review

This literature review thoroughly addresses the transformative impact of Additive Manufacturing (AM) on the field of prosthetics. It effectively highlights the persistent challenges associated with conventional prosthetic devices, such as high cost, discomfort, and limited accessibility, setting a clear context for AM's emergence as a pivotal solution. The paper's objective to comprehensively review the advancements and applications of AM, particularly 3D printing, in enhancing patient care and quality of life for individuals with limb loss, is clearly articulated from the outset. The review delves into a robust exploration of AM's practical applications and technological integrations. It meticulously details how AM facilitates the creation of patient-specific components with intricate geometries, improved fit, and reduced weight, all while achieving significant cost reductions and minimal post-processing. The inclusion of advanced methodologies like machine learning and Finite Element Method (FEM) simulations, alongside a discussion of diverse materials such as PLA, ABS, ASA, and carbon fiber-reinforced composites, showcases the breadth of the technology. Specific examples, including transfemoral sockets and prosthetic thumbs that meet international safety standards, underscore the tangible benefits, particularly in producing durable, lightweight, and anatomically accurate devices, with a special emphasis on its advantages for pediatric prosthetic design. In conclusion, this paper provides a compelling synthesis of current research, affirming AM's immense potential to revolutionize prosthetic development. It convincingly argues that AM offers a pathway to more cost-effective, sustainable, and user-centered solutions, directly addressing long-standing limitations in prosthetic care. The review effectively positions the continued advancement and integration of digital manufacturing technologies as crucial for meeting the escalating global demand for innovative, inclusive, and high-quality assistive devices, thereby offering valuable insights for researchers, clinicians, and industry stakeholders.

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