3D printed amphibious prosthetic

Northwell Health brought together aerospace engineers, 3D printing pioneers, prosthetic experts, and Dan Lasko to create a groundbreaking solution - The Return.

In 2004, Lasko was injured while serving in Afghanistan. Despite his below-the-knee amputation, Lasko regularly plays football, runs in marathons (6), and competes in triathlons (30). His goal is to use this prosthetic to teach his young sons, Luke, 6, and Ben, 2, to swim and compete. That’s where Northwell Health and its Northwell Ventures enters.

Established with the goal of identifying and fostering innovative ideas the Northwell Ventures team leveraged the expertise of Todd Goldstein, Ph.D. and pioneer in 3D printing, to design and fabricate an amphibious prosthetic.

For the prosthetic expertise, Eschen's team provided expertise on customizing prosthetic molds and identifying industry regulations. Human insights obtained from certified prosthetist Matt Flynn illuminated challenges facing prosthetic development.

Then the Composite Prototyping Center (CPC) resources were critical in prototyping and printing the amphibious prosthetic enhancement. CPC is a highly specialized company, with expertise in composite materials, and its state-of-the-art facility assist clients in crossing boundaries and pioneering in industries ranging from aerospace, to consumer products.

A look at the Fin
Bringing together Northwell Ventures, Escshen, CPC, and a veteran with a desire to swim resulted in The Fin comprised of:

Design – Allows the amputee to enter and exit the water without changing prosthetics; uses state-of-the-art carbon fiber materials and an ergonomic shape to ensure durable and efficient movement

Materials – Printed using carbon fiber enhanced nylon to provide strength and flexibility; a durable solution that is highly functional on land and in the water

Fluid Dynamics – Features conically-shaped holes that control the amount of water passing through The Fin; holes are designed to create a natural amount of drag and propulsion in the water; number of holes can be customized to the amputee’s unique needs

#myreturn
Northwell Health asks, what would you like to return to? Let them know at http://thereturn.northwell.edu/