In this webinar, Sagar Shetty from Bionic Prosthetics and Orthotics shares how they started exploring technology used in orthotics and prosthetics (O&P) about seven years ago. They narrate their challenges and how they have learned how to effectively use 3D printing to improve their fabrication process and enhance the quality of the devices they produce.

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The move toward digitalization in O&P has reached its adoption by the early majority. This makes it more pertinent for the forerunners of this technology to share their opinions and experiences. These conversations and insights will be valuable resources for clinicians looking to get started with 3D printing in O&P.

For the early adopters, some of the significant challenges, as shared by Sagar Shetty, included:

-      What material was suitable to print an orthotic or prosthetic device?

-      What temperature or speed should one set the printer at for a successful print?

-      How to navigate how different 3D printers work

-      How to design a device that could be printed using 3D orthotic design software

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However, in 2023, these are no longer struggles that clinicians using a digital workflow with O&P automation face as numerous resources are available to help you get started.

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So what are the current restrictions or challenges that the early majority might face in 2023?

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I advise many people who want to implement 3D technology to understand all the 3D printing because having a 3D printer at your clinic is not a solution.

The hybrid workflow

The hybrid workflow combines traditional and digital fabrication methods using CAD CAM manufacturing to optimize efficiency and still produce quality and innovative devices. This is an approach that Bionic prosthetics and orthotics have adopted and found quite helpful, especially in complicated cases.

The dynamics of this approach is also discussed in this webinar.

Sagar shares examples of where it might be essential to go for such a workflow. Watch the webinar here.