Send us a text

David Pierick, a retired Applications Engineer, shares the journey of bringing powder bed fusion technology to prosthetics and orthotics, revolutionizing patient comfort and outcomes through advanced materials.

• The initial challenge: proving 3D printed prosthetic components were as good or better than traditional methods
• Testing showed printed sockets were remarkably strong—in one test bending the aluminum testing rod before deforming the socket
• Patient feedback consistently reported greater comfort with PA-12 sockets, especially when paired with flexible interliners
• PA-11 offers superior fatigue properties and better strength-to-stiffness ratio than PA-12, though at higher cost
• PK5000 combines nylon stiffness with TPU softness, enabling thinner socket designs with excellent impact resistance
• Proper design principles are critical: avoid sharp edges, ensure proper radii on all features, and properly transition corrugations
• Future innovation requires thinking beyond traditional manufacturing constraints and adopting true 3D design approaches
• Collaborative teams of polymer experts, design specialists, and clinicians are essential for solving complex challenges
• New applications could include integrated functionality with shock absorption zones and varying flexibility in a single component

Special thanks to Advanced 3D for sponsoring this episode.

Support the show

Send us a text

Dr. Nate Crider joins us to discuss his approach to prosthetic care through telemedicine, where he bridges the gap between prosthetists, patients, and insurance requirements. As a PM&R specialist, he has expanded to 14 states in just three years, improving outcomes by bringing medical expertise directly to prosthetic clinics.

• Telemedicine solves mobility challenges for amputees while improving communication between medical and prosthetic providers
• Insurance documentation requires specific medical necessity language that many primary care providers don't understand
• Collaborative appointments with patients and prosthetists ensure accurate assessment of functional needs and appropriate technology selection
• Technology advancements including osseointegration, pattern recognition for upper extremities, and K2 microprocessor knees are changing patient options
• Proper socket fit, liner replacement, and supply management significantly impact patient comfort and functional outcomes
• Interdisciplinary approaches with surgeons, PM&R specialists, and prosthetists lead to better amputee care from surgery through rehabilitation
• Small and large prosthetic practices benefit from specialized medical documentation support that reduces denial risks

For more information about Dr. Crider’s telemedicine services, connect with him on LinkedIn or contact Madrina company, which operates in 46 states.

A special thanks to Advanced 3D for sponsoring this episode.

Support the show

Send us a text

Bill Wright shares his global healthcare and engineering journey spanning 36 countries over 50 years. His uniques experiences reveal how important it is to create lasting impact through sustainable solutions with good engineering.

•On one of his jourey's Bill was introduced to prosthetics in Bangladesh where he encountered the Jaipur foot made from sandals and rubber tire parts
• The design uniquely suited patients who walked barefoot and needed to squat for daily activities
• Working across 36 countries required addressing universal needs: water, wastewater management, electricity, and material supply chains
• Haiti stands among the most challenging locations due to extreme poverty and lack of infrastructure
• Solar power has revolutionized healthcare delivery, from small charging panels to systems powering entire hospitals
• 3D printing offers potential for on-site manufacturing but requires finding and retaining technically skilled personnel
• Success can be measured in individual lives changed – like Jose Manuel who now drives and studies law despite missing all four limbs
• Sustainable development requires training locals rather than relying on expatriate presence
• The most effective organizations focus on teaching

Special thanks to Advanced 3D for making this episode possible.

Support the show