Media Release

Udupi, Jul 23: Revolutionary 3D printing facility for artificial limb manufacturing at 'Hastha', dept of Orthopaedics, Kasturba Hospital, Manipal was inaugurated by Dr H Vinod Bhat, vice chancellor, MAHE, Manipal here on July 20.

'Hastha', the centre for Congenital Hand Differences is established under Manipal Academy of Higher Education through the unit of Hand and Microsurgery, department of Orthopaedics, Kasturba Medical College & Hospital, Manipal. The chief co-ordinator for this centre is Dr Anil K Bhat, professor and head, department of Orthopaedics, Manipal. Dr Poornima Baliga pro VC, MAHE, Dr Pragna Rao dean KMC Manipal, C G Muthana COO Kasturba Hospital and teaching hospitals and Dr Avinash Shetty medical superintendent were present.

3D printable prosthetics are the new revolution in manufacturing artificial limbs especially for children in order to develop prosthesis that are innovative, customizable and cheap. It can be replaced often without incurring much cost. The 3D printing (manufacturing) prosthesis can be task specific and the child can have many such prosthesis for each task like activities of daily living, for playing or for school work. These prosthesis are customizable to any level of amputation whether above elbow, below elbow or even with the absence or shortening of fingers. The prosthesis takes few hours to print in the machine, is presently mechanical in nature, light weight, comes in many colours and can be easily altered in shape and size.

Two kids received artificial limb printed (manufactured) at 'Hastha'.

These prostheses will be printed through 'Hastha', the centre for Congenital Hand Differences at Artificial Limb Centre, Kasturba Hospital, Manipal and the parents of children requiring such prosthesis can contact the orthopaedic out-patient department, Room No 4, Kasturba Hospital, Manipal (0820 2922231).