a virtual model of their limb to a |
recently traveled to India for the |
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prosthetist , who uses advanced |
INK 2019 conference and to test |
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software to design a more comfort- |
their software with the prosthetists |
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able , custom-fitted artificial limb . |
and amputees at Jaipur Foot , a |
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With 3-D printing added into |
world-renowned clinic specializing |
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the process , the prosthesis would |
in low-cost artificial limbs . |
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take fewer hours of manpower to |
“ I recognize the privilege of my |
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produce , require fewer trips to be |
life ,” Lin says , and despite being |
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fitted correctly , and result in sig- |
not even 40 , he says he feels like |
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nificantly less cost . For amputees |
he ’ s lived four very different lives |
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around the world , many of whom |
already , given all that he has done |
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already have limited money and |
and what he ’ s been through . But |
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mobility , these factors could make |
the loss of his leg has given him a |
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the difference between coping and |
new perspective on all of it —“ all |
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thriving . |
the things I ’ ve done in my career |
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“ I want to find a way to put this |
have been enabled because of |
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into every village around the plan- |
access to a piece of technology ,” he |
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et ,” Lin says . “ From the streets of |
says . “ Almost unknowingly , all the |
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Mumbai to the mountains of Ne- |
things I ’ d been doing before were |
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“ I ’ D LIKE TO TAKE THE TECHNOLOGY THAT ’ S ALREADY IN OUR POCKETS AND USE IT TO GIVE 40 MILLION PEOPLE THEIR LIVES BACK . |
– ALBERT LIN ’ 04 , MS ’ 05 , PHD ’ 08 |
PROJECT LIM ( B ) ITLESS Cell phones , 3-D printing and photogrammetry may increase access to comfortable and cost-effective artificial limbs around the world . |
pal , I ’ d like to take the technology that ’ s already in our pockets and use it to give 40 million people their lives back .”
The project has made some significant strides forward in recent months . A new 3-D printer was installed in the Qualcomm Institute , allowing the team to create its first prototype of a socket in September . Lin and a dozen students , led by mechanical and aerospace engineering PhD student Isaac Cabrera ,
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in preparation for this project .”
Lin looks at the socket that just emerged from the new 3-D printer . “ What we are trying to do is come up with ways to make the world a better place . And when you go for the moon , the things that come from that are remarkable .”
Go online for more about Project Lim ( b ) itless and the adventures of Albert Lin : tritonmag . com / lin
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