Limb Loss Awareness Month-Impact Through Innovation
Veterans Health Administration, already the world's largest and most comprehensive provider of sensory aides and prosthetic devices, continues to expand its capabilities to serve our nation’s Veterans.
Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center will soon be the newest VA facility to deliver multi-function three-dimensional print lab capabilities to support veterans’ prosthetic and assistive technology needs.
The lab will provide new ways to develop and deliver customized personal care like medical modeling, mobile and sensory support devices, and equipment. The new technology will also support how providers and patients talk about health care needs and plans together.
“One of the main benefits of medical modeling is the ability to educate patients on their specific health condition,” said Nyla Haddock, RLR VAMC 3D Lab Engineer “Additionally, medical models can be used for pre-surgical planning to provide the clinician and surgeon an insight of the diagnosis from a three-dimensional perspective.”
Haddock, who recently earned a postgraduate biomedical engineering degree from Johns Hopkins University, visited the Cleveland VAMC lab to prepare for her lead role as RLRVAMC 3D print lab engineer.
“This service to Veterans has proven successful at other sites like Cleveland, Charleston, Richmond, and Puget Sound. The possibilities of 3D printing are endless.”
Along with medical modeling, 3D capabilities will support development of mobility and adaptive equipment. Ralph Green, CfO, FAC-COR II, Chief RLR VAMC Prosthetics Department requested Haddock develop and print a 3D model to show patients a Home Improvement and Structural Alteration (HISA) grant can be improve accessibility and independence with a bathtub conversion.
The 3D lab will also support the dental department with a goal of printing nightguards for patients and eventually partial and full denture sets.
The print lab is expected to be fully functional this summer.
Veterans in need of adaptive equipment to preserve or increase mobility and independence may be eligible for grants. To learn more visit: Prosthetic & Sensory Aids Service (PSAS) - Rehabilitation and Prosthetic Services (va.gov)