Man Builds Prosthetic Hand Using Home Depot Parts
- 10 years ago
Using a 3-D printer and materials purchased at Home Depot, a man was able to create a prosthetic hand for less than $100.
Unable to afford a prosthetic hand, a man's friend in Arizona made one for him.
57-year-old Howard Kamarata had an accident while cutting wood with an electric saw. It caused him to lose three of the fingers on his left hand.
A pipe-fitter by trade, Kamarata didn't know what to do with himself after losing the use of his hand.
At a church function, Kamarata ran into Casey Barrett, an industrial engineer.
Barrett was in the process of researching prosthetic limbs, including how to build them.
After hearing about the accident, Barrett decided to build Kamarata a hand using designs he found online. Kamarata purchased fishing line, a glove and screws from Home Depot to build the prosthetic.
A 3-D printer was utilized to create three pieces for each of Kamarata's three fingers.
According to Barrett, "The raw materials involved in this are less than $20...to get the parts printed can cost upward of $50 to $150, depending on where you go.”
Kamarata has regained some use of his left hand thanks to the prosthetic. He and Barrett are now working with the RecFX Foundation to provide affordable prosthetics for others.
It's estimated that around 41,000 people have one or more fingers amputated a year due to non-life threatening injuries.
Prosthetics to replace the missing limbs can cost up to $40,000 for the most advanced ones.
Unable to afford a prosthetic hand, a man's friend in Arizona made one for him.
57-year-old Howard Kamarata had an accident while cutting wood with an electric saw. It caused him to lose three of the fingers on his left hand.
A pipe-fitter by trade, Kamarata didn't know what to do with himself after losing the use of his hand.
At a church function, Kamarata ran into Casey Barrett, an industrial engineer.
Barrett was in the process of researching prosthetic limbs, including how to build them.
After hearing about the accident, Barrett decided to build Kamarata a hand using designs he found online. Kamarata purchased fishing line, a glove and screws from Home Depot to build the prosthetic.
A 3-D printer was utilized to create three pieces for each of Kamarata's three fingers.
According to Barrett, "The raw materials involved in this are less than $20...to get the parts printed can cost upward of $50 to $150, depending on where you go.”
Kamarata has regained some use of his left hand thanks to the prosthetic. He and Barrett are now working with the RecFX Foundation to provide affordable prosthetics for others.
It's estimated that around 41,000 people have one or more fingers amputated a year due to non-life threatening injuries.
Prosthetics to replace the missing limbs can cost up to $40,000 for the most advanced ones.