AtlanticProCare Tries Out 3D Printed Prosthetics Through Partnerships with Three 3D Printing Companies
Clare Scott
Portland, Maine is home to AtlanticProCare, which specializes in personalized prosthetics for people who have lost either upper or lower limbs, as well as in scoliosis treatment. Founded in 1993, the company has been helping patients across New England for more than two decades, but AtlanticProCare has now decided that it’s time for an upgrade to their technology. The market for custom medical devices and prosthetics is becoming more and more infiltrated by 3D printing, so Atlantic ProCare has wisely chosen to give 3D printing a try – and a new multi-company partnership will enable them to reach an even broader range of people.
The company is working with the following three partners:
Extremiti 3D, which designs and 3D prints customized covers for lower limb prosthetic devices
Standard Cyborg, which, in addition to having arguably the best name of any medical device company, helps clinicians to design and 3D print their own prosthetics, prosthetic covers and orthotics through simple-to-use software
AtlanticProCare, the only Maine-based company to be participating in the program, will be providing custom-designed CAD files to the printers and then testing the printed devices.
“This program is right on the leading of edge of prosthetics,” said JP Donovan, CEO and Owner of AtlanticProCare. “It’s where the industry is heading, and we’re thrilled to be helping lead the way. We believe that 3D printing will soon be a new standard for delivering custom designed prosthetics.”
As we’ve seen before, 3D printing offers multiple benefits as an alternative to traditional prosthetic manufacturing technology. It’s much less expensive and requires a lot less time, as it eliminates the need for plaster and positive models. AtlanticProCare doesn’t have the capabilities for in-house 3D printing yet, meaning that any 3D printed devices need to be outsourced, but they’re hoping to change that in the future.
“We’re currently able to provide a custom fitted prosthesis in one visit with our RAM process and on-site lab, which we can’t yet do with 3D,” said Donovan. “But at some point, this technology will become the standard for everyone, and then we’ll be able to provide custom designs even faster.”
RAM stands for “Rapid Ambulation Method,” and uses CAD software to design and manufacture prosthetics for patients in only one visit. Like Donovan remarked, however, 3D printing should make the process even faster, and the current program is reinforcing that belief. The collaboration began in late 2016, and so far AtlanticProCare has fitted more than a dozen 3D printed prosthetic and orthotic devices through the program. Discuss in the AtlanticProCare forum at 3DPB.com.
