From patient to maker - a case study of co-designing an assistive device using 3D printing

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Rehabilitation Technology
• Human-Computer Interaction

Background:

• Commercially available assistive devices (ADs) often fail to meet individual patient needs, necessitating custom solutions.
• Patient-centered innovation is crucial, but product development and marketing present significant challenges.
• Existing literature on co-design and digital fabrication (DF) in AD provision is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the potential of digital fabrication (DF) in enabling patient involvement in the co-design and creation of personalized assistive devices (ADs).
• To investigate how DF can empower individuals with physical limitations to become active creators of their own ADs.
• To highlight the need for further scientific investigation into patient-centered AD development using DF.

Main Methods:

• Literature review on digital fabrication and assistive devices.
• Mini-survey to gauge current perspectives and practices.
• Case study of an individual with upper extremity impairment creating a personalized AD using 3D printing.

Main Results:

• Digital fabrication, particularly 3D printing, shows promise for personalized AD creation.
• DF minimizes manual requirements, potentially enabling individuals with physical limitations to fabricate their own devices.
• A case study demonstrated a patient successfully becoming a maker of her personal AD.

Conclusions:

• Digital fabrication (DF) is a key enabling technology for empowering patients in the development and realization of personalized assistive devices (ADs).
• Systematically engaging patients as competent participants in AD development is essential and warrants further scientific investigation.
• This approach can lead to more effective and personalized assistive solutions, addressing the limitations of off-the-shelf products.