The Most Realistic 3D Printed Prosthetic Hand Yet! – Steve Wood’s Flexy-Hand Filaflex Remix
By Eddie Krassenstein
When it comes to prosthetic hands and arms, 3D printing has been making a huge impact, especially when we talk about accessibility for children and teenagers. Children are at a disadvantage when it comes to being fit with a functional prosthesis, simply because their bones are still in the growing phase. This means that the typical prosthetic hand only lasts for about 2 years before these young patients outgrow them and require another.
Thanks to 3D printing, and mostly to an organization called e-NABLE, these unfortunate children with missing hands and partial arms are now able to have a prosthetic device created for them for under $50. Most 3D printed prosthetic hands are typically robotic looking, printed in a huge range of colors, in a manner that is very eye catching (usually in a good way). However, some children, and and most adults would prefer a prosthesis that is more inconspicuous, something that blends in with the crowds and looks as realistic as possible.
One man, who we have covered quite extensively in the past, named Steve Wood, and his company GyroBot, have come to this realization as well. In doing so, he’s been working tirelessly, with the help of some other members of e-NABLE, to come up with the most inconspicuous, attractive, and functional 3D printed prosthetic hand possible. Back in March of 2014, he released the design files for what he called the “Flexy-Hand“. This prosthetic hand was 3D printed using the flexible Filaflex filament, giving it the ability to bend and function more like an actual human hand. Then, earlier this year, Wood released the “Flexy-Hand 2 – Filaflex Remix“, which he had created with the help of Jeff Erenston, Prosthetist and CPO of Performance Orthopedic Design. It took the original design several steps further by making it even more realistic in terms of appearance and functionality. It was printed using FilaFlex Skin Toned Filament, giving it a much more natural appearance.
