Hands for Ukraine: The Victoria Hand Project’s 3D Printing Initiative to Democratize Access to Prosthetic Care in Ukraine

Hands for Ukraine: The Victoria Hand Project’s 3D Printing Initiative to Democratize Access to Prosthetic Care in Ukraine

In a world often defined by disparities in healthcare access, Victoria Hand Project, a Canadian charity, is a beacon of hope. Founded in 2015 with the mission to provide accessible 3D-printed prosthetic care to under-resourced communities around the world, Victoria Hand Project has transformed lives by combining cutting-edge technology with compassionate outreach.

Victoria Hand Project began as a university research project and quickly evolved into a profound humanitarian initiative. Obstacles to prosthetic care access can arise from a variety of factors, such as financial constraints, lack of infrastructure, resource scarcity, or insufficient government support. Equipped with UltiMaker 3D printers, the team has brought this revolutionary technology to communities that have little to no access to prosthetic care. Since inception, Victoria Hand Project has partnered with clinics in 11 countries, with Ukraine being its most recent addition.

“3D printing is a very useful tool that can help with the current tools of prosthetics,” said Nick Dechev, Founder and CTO of Victoria Hand Project. “It’s great for certain applications, especially for sockets for upper limbs because they’re lightweight and they can be printed customizable for each person.”

###Expanding the availability of prosthetic hands in Ukraine

Victoria Hand Project’s choice of materials is also integral to the durability and comfort of the prosthetic hands. PLA is the primary material used, known for its ease of printing and suitability for prolonged skin contact. Since prosthetic hands are frequently used, it's important for their parts to be durable and strong to ensure that they can withstand impacts and be used repeatedly over a long period.

“We use BASF PRO1 material from Forward-AM, which we find works incredibly well. The quality is amazing, and the strength is very important for the prosthetic devices,” Peirone continued. “We were looking for strength, durability, and material quality. We did a lot of testing at our lab in Victoria on 3D-printed tensile samples or prosthetic hand components, and we found the Forward-AM material was exactly what we needed. Using the UltiMaker printers with the Forward-AM PRO1 materials, we’re able to produce these prosthetic devices that many clinicians around the world are very happy with.”

The Victoria Hand was one of the first prostheses to be 3D printed, according to Dechev. “There has been an incredible amount of design done on the prosthesis. There was a lot of learning, a lot of time spent working and speaking with amputees and getting professional opinions from prosthetists. All these people contributed to the design of the Victoria Hand.”

The Victoria Hand is a unique prosthetic device that operates using body-powered mechanisms like a conventional hook. The hand is designed to be easy to use and repair, waterproof, and user-friendly. Each recipient receives a customized prosthetic arm that is fitted to their body. This includes a custom 3D-printed limb socket for each recipient and a standardized hand.

The attachment process involves securing the prosthetic arm similar to wearing a backpack. By shrugging their shoulders, the hand’s cable is activated, enabling the hand to open and close. The Victoria Hand is a mix of 3D-printed and metallic components. It is designed to serve as a replacement limb for those experiencing limb loss, featuring articulated fingers and thumbs that enable various functions.

The Victoria Hand has two main components that are not 3D printed. The palm and fingers are printed from PLA materials, while the fingertips are crafted from silicone through a casting technique. Internal components comprise stainless steel, springs, bolts, and laser-cut steel parts for added strength.

Timeline from the initial consultation to the final fitting varies, ranging from an overnight completion if certain components are pre-prepared, to 2-3 days for a full construction (including the hand, wrist, socket, and all the components) and fitting process.

“Clinicians like the Victoria Hand for its user-friendly fitting process, functionality, and versatility,” said Dechev. “One device can help different people in different ways. Cost is also low, which allows clinicians to help people who cannot afford more expensive devices.”

###A vision of growth