Mano Libre - The Rapid Hybrid Prosthetic Forearm

thingiverse

The Mano Libre tackles resource scarcity in prosthetics clinics around the world, particularly in the developing world, where 80% of amputees reside. Conceptualized, designed, executed, and delivered to a patient within 48 hours by a team of engineers and prosthetists in rural Guatemala, the solution offers a standardized, inexpensive forearm piece for use in upper extremity prosthetics. The Mano Libre is attached directly to the elbow on one end and to the wrist on the other, reducing significantly the time it takes to construct an upper extremity prosthesis. Its fabrication costs less than $10 in raw materials, rendering it more cost-effective than traditional methods of construction. Moreover, The Mano Libre weighs much less than conventional models, making it easier for patients to manipulate. Traditionally, this component is fabricated using a cardboard tube filled with plaster to create a mold, which the prosthetist then modifies by heating and shaping plastic over the mold. Afterward, the mold is released from the air saw, and the finished product undergoes additional processing to achieve the desired dimensions. The required print settings for The Mano Libre are specified as follows: * No rafts * Supports are necessary due to the presence of complex internal structures * The layer resolution should be 0.1 mm * The recommended infill density is 100% As it was conceived, the first shape in my design iterations took its inspiration from traditional forearms and resulted in a tapered tube that seamlessly adapts to the circumference variations of both elbows and wrists. Given the unique needs and characteristics of patients from various clinics in the United States, working alongside prosthetists to fine-tune this approach provided immense value. As one progresses through the design stages, incorporating key modifications yields improved outcomes. At the location where it joins with the elbow cuff, carefully designed slots accommodate the necessary metal extensions, while pins facilitate precise alignment within pre-cut holes, ensuring that the forearm can snugly secure onto and align correctly with the elbow.