3D Printing in Occupational Therapy

Michael Cardile, Ava Fitzpatrick, Rebecca Kim, Jouette Rowe

What is 3D Printing?3D printing, or additive manufacturing, is a process of making three dimensional solid objects from a digital file.

How Does 3D Printing

Work?

Problem Statement

“Is there a role for 3D printing to play inoccupational therapy”

Stakeholders

Level 1: Students and clientsLevel 2: Occupational therapistsLevel 3: Other healthcare professionals: rehabilitation engineer, prosthetists, and medical technicians

Stakeholders● Level 1:

○ Rebecca Paska, current student of VCU OT department: OTS

● Level 2:○ Dr. Tony Gentry, Associate Professor○ Dr. Al Copolillo, FAOTA Associate Professor & Chairman

● Level 3○ Benjamin Salatin, Rehabilitation Engineer

■ McGuire VA Medical Center○ Melissa Oliver, OTR/L, AT Program Coordinator

■ McGuire VA Medical Center○ Kristen Ragland, OTR/L

Interview Analysis

● Potential for 3D printing and OT● Possible threats for 3D printing● Recommendations

Potential of 3D Printing and OT

● Fast ● Less time/energy/materials● Customizable● Clients can be actively involved● Maintaining and buy materials is relatively cheap● More durable (e.g. splints)● More aesthetically pleasing/professional look● Create brand new item● Modify existing item

Possible Threats of 3D Printing

● Intimidation● Time/productivity● Liability concerns● Cost of purchasing a printer● Reimbursement● No community of OTs using 3D printing● No resources for OTs

Recommendations

● As 3D printing becomes more accessible, OTs should be at the forefront

● Adaptive equipment● Introduce 3D printing earlier in one’s career

Potential Solutions● Present 3D printing at a conference● Offer 3D printing as CE● Create instructional website and open source

database for OTs● Create a research project to make 3D printing

EBP● Incorporate 3D printing into entry level curriculum

Present 3D Printing at a Conference

Pros:● Bring awareness

to 3D printing● Spark interest

Cons:● Gets people

thinking, but not “doing”

Offer 3D Printing as CEPros: ● Educate experienced

OTs familiar in creating adaptive equipment

Cons:● Likely take more than

1 day● May be expensive to

attend● May be intimidating

for those not tech-savvy

Website and Database For OTsPros:● Provides arena for

therapists to share ideas and collaborate on new designs

● Helps therapists new to 3D printing

Cons:● Does not solve the

problem of exposing therapists to 3D printing or help those who do not have access to a printer

● Limited community of OTs using 3D printing

● No time, energy, or knowledge to create and maintain

Research ProjectPros:● 3D printing -> EBP● More buy-in by

therapists

Cons:

● Apply for funding● Search for faculty

advisor to lead research● Securing research

participants● Does not equip

therapists with skills needed to use 3D printing

Incorporate Into Entry-Level Curriculum

Pros:

● Students can share knowledge in fieldwork placements and new job settings

● Most programs have assistive technology or activities course

● Students have more time than working therapists

Cons:● Program must

purchase a printer● Secure a 3D printing

expert to teach the class/lab

● Find space in the curriculum to add the class

Chosen Solution

Incorporate 3D printing into entry level curriculums

SWOTStrengths:

● Expose students earlier in their career

● Time● VCU OT dept has connections with

the assistive technology dept at McGuire VA Hospital

● OT faculty and students have experience designing and making adaptive equipment

● Consumer grade printer is affordable

● VCU adds ~42 students to their program annually

Weaknesses:

● Initial cost of purchasing printer● Subsequent cost of printer

maintenance● Faculty members need to be

trained and comfortable operating/troubleshooting the printer/software

● “Added benefit” vs. requirement

SWOTOpportunities:

● Few MSOT programs offer 3D printing as part of their curriculums

● 3D printing has huge implications for OT but few practicing therapists have been exposed

● Attract top applicants through marketing this technology

● Richmond area has 3D printing vendors for maintenance and support

Threats:

● Limited community/network of OTs using 3D printing

● VCU OT dept has limited funds● Other programs/schools are

looking at incorporating 3D printing into their curriculums

Budget TableItem Initial Costs Cost Per Lab

Makerbot Replicator Desktop Printer (5th Gen) $2,899.00 -

Smart Extruder for Makerbot Replicator $175.00- -

10-Pack Large Filament Bundle(1 - Large PLA Filament Spool)

$430.00($48.00)

$30.24

Build Plate Tape (10 sheets) $9.99 $0.99

3-Year MakerCare Protection Plan $1,105 -

Jump Drives x2 (optional) $10.00 -

Cubify iSense 3D Scanner (optional) $499.99 -

Tinkercad Software FREE -

Total $5,128.98 $31.19

Deliverables● 3D Printing Module

○ Introductory PowerPoint○ Lab protocol○ Lab handout

Next Steps● Pursue donation of a 3D printer to

VCU OT Department● Explore options for fieldwork

opportunities that could include 3D printing for interested students

● Consider renting printer to become acclimated to the device

● Meeting with Dr. Copolillo, Dr. Gentry, and Ben Salatin to discuss course content

ReferencesNicholls, D. (2014). What makes support structures important? Retrieved fromhttp://3dprintingsystems.com/what-makes-support-structure-important/

Ragland, K. From sci-fi to reality: using 3D printing in your OT practice [Prezi presentation]. Retrieved from Prezi online website https://prezi.com/zfqu-jgzdqyw/tnota-conference-2014/

3D Printing for Beginners. (2015). 3D modeling tools. Retrieved from http://3dprintingforbeginners.com/software-tools/

3D Printing. (May 2014). 3D printing basics: the beginner’s free guide. Retrieved fromhttp://3dprintingindustry.com/3d-printing-basics-free-beginners-guide/

3D Printing. (2015). What is 3D printing? Retrieved from http://3dprinting.com/what-is-3d-printing/

Questions?