NEC supports 'Divyangjans' with 3D printing tech
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, September 20 2022: North Eastern Council (NEC), Shillong has come forward to add colours in the life of North Eastern Region (NER) 'Divyangjans' (people with disability) with the help of digital designing and 3D printing technology for customised prosthesis and orthosis.

As per a release by NEC Shillong, use of 3D scanner printing technology in the region would help in meeting the challenges of healthcare needs with speed and precision.

Recently, NEC along with Composite Regional Centre (CRC), Shillong selected two 'Divyangjan' beneficiaries from Meghalaya to provide them with the custom 3D scanner printed prosthetics.

The beneficiaries suffering from leg amputation were sent to National Institute for Empowerment of Persons with Multiple Disabilities (NIEPMD), Chennai under Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment for the process of fitting the customised 3D scanner printing prosthetics, it added.

NEC continued that based on the digital scanning carried out by Assam Electronic Development Corporation Limited (AMTRON), the data was provided to NIEPMD, Chennai for detailed designing of the sockets (includes expert involvement for pressure point markings, weight discharge, etc.) for final approved digital design.

Thereafter, the sockets for the patients were printed using 3D Scanner Printing Technology.

A 3D scanner printed prosthetic generally involves 3D printing of the prosthetic socket and rest of the prosthetic parts like pylon and feet are manufactured traditionally.

Only the 3D printed socket is fitted into the pylon, it mentioned.

The release also conveyed that on September 5, both the amputees were fitted with the customised 3D printed socket prosthesis and the beneficiaries were amazed to see that the device fitted excellently besides the highly enhanced comfort and much better walk.

NEC secretary K Moses Cha-lai opined that this initiative has opened a whole new world for the ones suffering from temporary disability and trauma cases.

The solution demonstrated enables capturing and generating accu rate digital data regarding the geometry or shape of patients stump without the need for them to undertake repeated visits to assessment centres.

"This will not only reduce out of pocket expenses for 'Divyangjans' but the digital repository so created can be used for both trend analysis as well as improving the quality of continuous medical education for prosthetist or orthotist as well as other stakeholders.

The prosthesis devices can be provided having custom fit within much shorter time," he added.

NEC further noted that the 3D scanner printing and other related technologies are expected to aid in meeting challenges of healthcare needs with speed, precision and remarkable enhanced solutions not witnessed so far.

NEC intends to engage with the ministry concerned, NER states and suitable institutions like AMTRON to use the technology for covering 'Divyangjan' beneficiaries all across the NE region, it stressed.

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