by Juanita Nonwo – EM TV Online
Maxence, a 6 year old boy in France, is the first in his country to receive a prosthetic hand printed from a 3D printer.
The hand was funded by an American non-government organisation called e-NABLE (Enabling the Future) and has cost Maxence’s parents 50 euro (about K153) to purchase it.
Maxence has been without a right hand since birth, but thanks to 3D printing the boy received a prosthetic hand on Monday.
While he may not be able to tie a shoelace with his new hand, or do many other everyday actions, it will enable him to do things such as grasping handles when riding a scooter, a bike or a swing, which may be difficult without fingers.
Maxence, who has a wrist and a palm but without fingers, can wear the artificial hand like a glove without having any surgery.
Designed like a superhero’s hand and in the colour of his choice, the hand can be taken off when he wishes to; and as he grows up, the model can be replaced with the right size to fit his hand.
e-NABLE has so far provided 1,500 artificial prostheses through its foundation.
