Project Lead(s): Nikolai Dechev
If left untreated in young children, skeletal deformities like clubfoot and early-onset scoliosis can grow to become major life handicaps, preventing full participation in society due to stigma and a lack of employment opportunities.
This project will address this challenge by 3D printing high-quality, lightweight, low-cost orthotic devices. These will include corrective braces for treatment of clubfoot and torso braces for treatment of scoliosis. The goal is to create orthotics which are comparable in comfort, fit, and compliance to standard braces. The project will train local skilled clinical partners to produce the orthotics, allowing for local production of the advanced devices directly in-country.
Embracing a non-profit, sustainable business model, the project will sell the 3D printed orthotic devices to clients in high-income countries and use the net revenue to fund its activities in low- and middle-income countries. The project will start in Nepal and aims to expand to other countries.
