An initiative from Deloitte’s North West office to provide 3D-printed limbs is now being rolled out worldwide.
The CSR project began as a way to help Stockport’s Phoebe Dyer, seven years old, who was born with Dysmelia resulting in her having no left hand.
Utilising 3D printing technology, Phoebe’s aunt, Deloitte director Claire Handby, along with the Deloitte Digital team, created a fully functional digital hand, which Phoebe designed herself.
The 3D printed limb uses an open source design, created by UK charity team UnLimbited, harnesses kinetic energy from the elbow to make her existing limb close its fingers.
The initial project has proved so successful that the initiative has now been rolled out to help people across Deloitte offices in London, Reading and South Africa.
The project has also received recognition from technology giant Dell, which has since set up its own 3D printing team in Texas to provide less expensive alternatives to the conventional false passive limbs provided by the American healthcare industry.
In recognition of Deloitte’s successes in this area, Dell has also invited Claire to present her and her team’s findings to a global audience as part of the opening keynote at the Dell Technologies World conference in Las Vegas this week.
“The possibilities that this technology creates for those who have limb differences are potentially limitless, and to see the positive difference it has already made to Phoebe’s life is truly inspirational,” said Handby.
“It’s uplifting to see that the technology we’ve pioneered to help Phoebe, in the North West is now making an impact that matters to more individuals across the world.
“3D printing was predicted to play a vital part in the North West’s technology scene in Deloitte’s TMT predictions earlier this year, and the early success of using our bright minds and technology in helping those in need is testament to how crucial this technology will prove to be in the near future.
“We would expect to see more businesses – like Dell – begin to utilise this technology, and drive positive change in every facet of life.”