Recently, I wrote about a man in Nebraska named Adam Cutshall, who got a 3D-printed finger replacement 20 years after a tragic mishap. He made the mistake of using power tools while intoxicated and cut off his pinky.
Due to the cost of a prosthetic, Cutshall was never able to afford one.
So, he resorted to telling his story online in the hopes someone may be able to help.
Luckily, New York City-based artist, photographer and IT engineer Paul Hodara came to the rescue and customized a 3D-printed prosthetic finger free of charge.
The need to restore independence
There are up to 45,000 finger amputations in the U.S. each year, and people are suffering without fingers due to various causes, such as accidents, medical conditions, workplace incidents, birth defects and traumatic injuries. However, they all deserve to be able to use their hands to their full capacity.
Revolutionary prosthetics company
Now, a revolutionary company, Point Designs, is working to help the health care industry through cutting-edge technology in the form of finger prosthetics.
Combining clinical care and innovative 3D printing for upper limb prosthetics
Professors Richard Weir and Jacob Segil, researchers at the Biomechatronics Development Laboratory at the University of Colorado, joined forces to establish this company. With their extensive research backgrounds, they bring decades of experience in neural interfaces, myoelectric control algorithms and the design of upper limb prosthetics.
Along with the co-founders, Dr. Levin Sliker and Stephen Huddle are dedicated to pushing the boundaries of partial hand prosthetic design. The team at Point Designs is combining clinical care with innovative additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, to give hope to people who have received medical denials in the past when it comes to missing fingers or hands.
This is what Dr. Levin Sliker, now Point Designs CEO, told us about his company's history and future:
"Point Designs is a company dedicated to producing innovative, durable and reliable prosthetic solutions for people with partial hand limb difference. In collaboration with certified prosthetists & orthotists (CPOs), Point Designs produces unique prosthetic devices for each individual. Since 2017, Point Designs has developed six different devices serving people with varying levels of amputation distal to the wrist. All devices developed at Point Designs are designed with strength, durability and function at the forefront of our minds. Our primary goal is to empower those with partial hand amputation to live their lives to the fullest. We've had the privilege of working with thousands of people in our community."
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Available models
Point Designs offers 6 different models:
Point Pivot+
This is for amputations at the base of the thumb or CMC joint
It has a strength of 150 pounds
There are 19 locking positions
There are three positions of rotation and three mounting positions
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POINT THUMB
This is for partial thumb amputations at or near the MCP (metacarpophalangeal) joint
It has 11 locking levels of flexion
It has a strength of 150 pounds and is only 1-1.3 ounces, depending on the person's finger size
It has three lengths depending on the measurement from fingertip to joint center
Point Partial
This is for partial finger amputations at or near the PIP (proximal interphalangeal) joint
Uses one-handed positioning
Strength of 150 pounds and weighs 0.5 to 0.7 ounces
It has three lengths depending on the measurement from PIP joint center to the fingertip
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Point Digit and Point Digit mini
This is for full finger amputations at or near the MCP (metacarpophalangeal) joint
Has 11 locking levels of flexion
Strength of 150 pounds and weight of 0.71 to 1.3 ounces
Comes in 11 lengths depending on your finger and hand size
One-handed operation
Point Endo
The Point Endo is not currently available in the U.S., but it's designed to be a full-finger prosthetic that can be integrated with a cosmetic cover
More about Point Designs' prosthetic fingers
These prosthetic fingers can last two to three years. Individuals are fitted with custom-rolled silicone and 3D-printed nylon, upon which the titanium prosthetic fingers can be mounted. They offer over 30 colors in their silicone and, depending on the model, different materials for the suspension.
Testimonial from Point Design digits user
Here's what one of the company's users has to say about Point Design digits:
"I love to be an inspiration to others. When you get hurt like this you go to a dark place. You feel like you have no hope. I was told I would be out a year and was back in 5½ months my surgeon couldn't believe it." Brad Bettinger, two Point Digits
NEBRASKA MAN GETS 3D-PRINTED FINGER REPLACEMENT 20 YEARS AFTER TRAGIC MISHAP
How to get a Point Designs prosthesis
If you'd like to contact Point Designs, you can reach them here or have your clinician reach out to them here. According to the company, its prostheses are provided to patients via a certified prosthetist who manages the person's prosthetic rehabilitation.
Kurt's key takeaways
I can't say enough about the fantastic innovations coming out of Point Designs. Their revolutionary company is helping many people with prosthetics, offering innovative 3D-printed solutions to individuals with finger amputations.
With various models and customization options available, they aim to provide hope and enable people to regain full hand functionality. Hats off to them.
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