Emma nasceu com artrogripose múltipla congênita, uma doença rara que destrói articulações e membros. Por causa disso, a menina - hoje com dois anos - não podia brincar com blocos, levar comida à boca ou mesmo abraçar sua mãe. Mas engenheiros do hospital para crianças Nemours-Akfred I. duPont, na Flórida, usaram uma impressora 3D para criar um exoesqueleto durável, como um colete, que ajuda Emma a levantar os braços. Vestindo o colete, ela foi capaz pela primeira vez de levar um doce à boca. Emma chama o colete de "meus braços mágicos".
O colete é o Wilmington Robotic Exoskeleton (WREX), feito de barras de metal articuladas, faixas plásticas de resistência e pequenas peças impressas em 3D, informa notícia no Mashable. Emma foi uma das primeiras pacientes a vestir o WREX. Agora, cerca de 15 dos pequenos pacientes do hospital estão usando o leve colete.
A facilidade da impressão em 3D torna possível personalizar as peças. Quando uma quebra, basta imprimir outras. Se a criança ultrapassa o colete, os engenheiros simplesmente imprimem peças maiores. "Ela superou o primeiro colete, estamos usando um segundo e ela ainda está evoluindo", disse a mãe da menina, Megan Lavelle. "Ela está crescendo nesse colete incrível que a ajuda a usar seus braços".
Emma was born with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita, a rare disease that destroys joints and limbs. Because of this, the girl - now in two years - could not play with blocks, put food in your mouth or even embrace his mother. But engineers at Nemours children's hospital-Akfred I. duPont, Fla., used a 3D printer to create a durable exoskeleton like a vest that helps Emma to raise his arms. Wearing the vest, she was able for the first time to take a sweet in the mouth. Emma calls the vest "magic my arms."
The vest is the Wilmington Robotic Exoskeleton (Wrex), made of hinged metal bars, resistance bands and small plastic pieces printed in 3D, in news reports Mashable. Emma was one of the first patients to wear the Wrex. Now, about 15 small hospital patients are using the lightweight vest.
The simplicity of 3D printing makes it possible to customize parts. When a break, just print more. If a child exceeds the vest, the engineers simply print larger pieces. "She overcame the first vest, we are using a second and it is still evolving," said the girl's mother, Megan Lavelle. "It is growing in this amazing vest that helps you use your arms."
The vest is the Wilmington Robotic Exoskeleton (Wrex), made of hinged metal bars, resistance bands and small plastic pieces printed in 3D, in news reports Mashable. Emma was one of the first patients to wear the Wrex. Now, about 15 small hospital patients are using the lightweight vest.
The simplicity of 3D printing makes it possible to customize parts. When a break, just print more. If a child exceeds the vest, the engineers simply print larger pieces. "She overcame the first vest, we are using a second and it is still evolving," said the girl's mother, Megan Lavelle. "It is growing in this amazing vest that helps you use your arms."
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