Please refer to the e-NABLE Device Evaluations matrix for details about how the various designs compare in terms of difficulty, cost, etc.
The e-NABLE Community has a variety of 3D printable upper limb assistive device designs available to those in need of a “helper hand” who are missing fingers. Most of the designs created by the community require a functional wrist that can bend at least 30 degrees in either direction as well as most or all of their palm in order to make the device function properly.
For those that have a functional wrist with a full or partial palm, the e-NABLE Community has created a few designs that are able to function through the bending of the wrist which forces the fingers on the device to open and close. For these designs to work, recipients will need a functional wrist that can bend easily and enough palm to push against the palm portion of the design for leverage.
Wrist Actuated Designs Currently Suggested:
For those that do not have a functional wrist or a palm, the e-NABLE Community has created a few designs that are able to function through the bending of the elbow instead of the wrist. For these designs to work, recipients will need a functional elbow that can bend easily and who have partial to most of their forearm.
Elbow Actuated Designs Currently Suggested:
Currently, the e-NABLE Community does not have a design that will work for those who have above elbow limb differences.
There are a few options, however, from other groups who offer open-source myo-electric 3D printable arms.
Those options include:
For help in deciding which device might work best for a specific limb difference – please feel free to ask our community volunteers and designers in the e-NABLE Forum, who are happy to answer your questions and help guide you through the process of creating a 3D printed assistive device for yourself or someone you know!
Please refer to the e-NABLE Device Evaluations matrix for details about how the various designs compare in terms of difficulty, cost, etc.