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*  Nicole Gallup, Jennifer K. Bow, and Joshua M. Pearce. [https://www.mdpi.com/2308-3417/3/4/89 Economic Potential for Distributed Manufacturing of Adaptive Aids for Arthritis Patients in the U.S.] ''Geriatrics'' 2018, 3(4), 89; https://doi.org/10.3390/geriatrics3040089 [https://www.academia.edu/37924049/Economic_Potential_for_Distributed_Manufacturing_of_Adaptive_Aids_for_Arthritis_Patients_in_the_U.S open access]
*  Nicole Gallup, Jennifer K. Bow, and Joshua M. Pearce. [https://www.mdpi.com/2308-3417/3/4/89 Economic Potential for Distributed Manufacturing of Adaptive Aids for Arthritis Patients in the U.S.] ''Geriatrics'' 2018, 3(4), 89; https://doi.org/10.3390/geriatrics3040089 [https://www.academia.edu/37924049/Economic_Potential_for_Distributed_Manufacturing_of_Adaptive_Aids_for_Arthritis_Patients_in_the_U.S open access]
** To edit models see [[OpenSCAD]] and [[FreeCAD]]
** To edit models see [[OpenSCAD]] and [[FreeCAD]]
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==Abstract==
==Abstract==

Revision as of 13:23, 6 December 2018

3D Printing Adaptive Aids for Arthritis Patients
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Abstract

Adaptive-aid.png

By 2040, more than a quarter of the U.S. population will have diagnosed arthritic conditions. Adults with arthritis and other rheumatic conditions earn less than average yet have medical care expenditures that are over 12% of average household income. Adaptive aids can help arthritis patients continue to maintain independence and quality of life; however, their high costs limit accessibility for older people and the poor. One method used for consumer price reduction is distributed manufacturing with 3-D printers. In order to assess if such a method would be financially beneficial, this study evaluates the techno-economic viability of distributed manufacturing of adaptive aids for arthritis patients. Twenty freely accessible designs for 3-D printable adaptive aids were successfully fabricated on low-cost desktop 3-D printers and performed their functions adequately. The financial savings averaged >94% compared to commercially-available products. Overall, twenty adaptive aids were printed for US$20 of plastic; while on average, each adaptive aid would save over US$20. As printing a tiny subset of the adaptive aids needed by a single patient would recover the full capital and operational costs of a low-cost 3-D printer, it can be concluded that there is considerable potential for distributed manufacturing to assist arthritis patients.

Keywords

distributed manufacturing; additive manufacturing; 3-D printing; consumer; economics; open-source; arthritis; adaptive aid; economics; motor skills; person–environment interaction; cost-effective

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