n the realm of science fiction (Aliens, Halo, Iron Man, etc) exo-skeletal suits have long enabled humans to exert super human force and endure arduous conditions. But for Emma Lavelle, a young girl that was born with a condition called arthrogryposis – wearing a 3D printed external support structure is a reality to enable her to carry out everyday tasks that able bodied people would perhaps take for granted.
Emma’s condition means she has stiff joints and under developed muscles, so much so that without support, she is unable to hold her arms up. Patients with this condition can overcome it with a Wilmington Robotic Exoskeleton (WREX), but at 2 years of age, when first considered for the WREX, Emma was too small for the existing models available.
http://blog.ponoko.com/2012/08/05/3d-printed-exoskeletal-support
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