TU Dublin Biomedical Design Students Transform Young Lives with 3D-Printed Prosthetics
At TU Dublin, innovation and compassion go hand in hand, as demonstrated by Biomedical Design students Aoife O'Donnell and Aine Hughes on our Tallaght Campus, who recently made a life-changing difference for a young boy named Davy. Through their work with the voluntary group 3D Assist, they created and fitted a customised 3D-printed prosthetic arm for the four-year-old, bringing both functionality and excitement to his everyday life.
Davy, accompanied by his twin sister Daisy and mother Nicola, first visited TU Dublin several weeks ago for a 3D scanning session. The team meticulously captured every detail to ensure the perfect fit for Davy's new prosthetic. But this wasn't just any prosthetic—his new arm featured a special "Spiderman" design, making it even more thrilling for the young superhero fan. In addition to this custom piece, the team went the extra mile by creating a couple of surprise extra arms, ensuring Davy has options for different activities.
3D Assist, a volunteer-driven initiative of the School of Mechanical Engineering on TU Dublin's Tallaght Campus, carried out this remarkable initiative. Student-led fundraising efforts fully funded the entire project, highlighting the dedication and generosity of those involved. 3D Assist has made a significant impact, having produced over 60 prosthetic hands and arms for children with limb differences and developed 3D-printed braille devices for organisations such as ChildVision.
Congratulations to Aoife, Aine, and everyone involved in this inspiring project. Their work showcases the incredible potential of biomedical design and demonstrates the power of innovation and empathy in transforming lives.
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