Londoner Becomes the First to Receive 3D Printed, Functional Hand

The landscape of prosthetics has been rapidly evolving, seeing many technological advancements since its collaboration with 3D printing. Against this backdrop, a hand amputee from London has recently become the first individual to benefit from Open Bionic’s cutting-edge 3D printed hand, 30 years post-amputation. Thus marking a significant stride forward in the UK’s prosthetics scene.

Suleman Chohan, a 50-year-old teacher from east London, endured the limitations of two-handed activities for years following a traumatic amputation of his right hand roughly 30 years ago. In an era where the UK’s prosthetic industry was significantly less advanced, Chohan faced rudimentary and often non-functional options, leading to severely restricted solutions for individuals in his situation. Initially provided with a bulky latex hand from the National Health Service (NHS), Chohan found the prosthetic too uncomfortable to wear and greatly lacking practical functionality.

Once a difficult task, the Hero Gauntlet allows Suleman Chohan to easily carry groceries.

However, a recent prototype labeled the Hero Gauntlet has emerged as a game-changer in Chohan’s life. Developed using cutting-edge 3D scanning, modeling, and printing technologies, this custom-made partial hand prosthetic significantly improves over earlier options. Empowered by the Hero Gauntlet, Chohan now enjoys complete mobility of his 3D printed fingers, allowing him to engage in beloved activities such as mountain biking and video gaming. Moreover, the prosthetic has enabled Chohan to navigate everyday tasks more easily, like using his phone and preparing ingredients for cooking.

The Hero Gauntlet, a creation of the British robotics company Open Bionics, represents the company’s latest innovation in addressing the challenges faced by individuals with partial hand limb differences. In response to the pressing needs within the limb-difference community, Open Bionics collaborated closely with amputees, ensuring the product’s design and functionality catered to their specific requirements. Hellie Mutter, Hero Gauntlet Lead Engineer, emphasized the user-centric approach in the product’s development, stating:

We designed the product in collaboration with users via lab testing, weekly diaries, and clinic visits. We were really excited to see how intuitive our users found the active operation mechanism, which meant that even the early prototype versions were able to open up new experiences for our users. It’s been especially great to hear how the look of the device has given some of our test users a confidence boost regarding their limb difference.”

This development follows Open Bionic’s launch of the Hero Arm – an advanced and lightweight 3D printed bionic arm crafted to deliver multi-grip functionality and high visual appeal, but tailored to individuals with below-elbow amputations. This innovation proved highly successful, as it is now available in over 800 locations across the USA, UK, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. It is considered one of the lightest bionic arms on the market. Through the Hero Gauntlet, the company aims to extend the legacy of advanced prosthetics, offering complete customizability to meet the specific needs of amputees. To learn more about the Open Bionics and the Hero Gauntlet, click here.

Open Bionics’ Hero Arm in use.

What do you think about the Hero Gauntlet, the functional 3D printed hand from Open Bionics? Let us know in a comment below or on our LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter pages! Don’t forget to sign up for our free weekly Newsletter here, the latest 3D printing news straight to your inbox! You can also find all our videos on our YouTube channel. 

All Photo Credits: Open Bionics