ST. LOUIS, MO (KTVI) – A high school student will receive a robotic 3D printed arm from Shriners Hospital and Washing University School of Medicine. Sydney Kendall is receiving one of the most innovative 3D printed robotic arms from the unique and long-standing collaboration between both facilities.
“With this arm I have more opportunities to do more things and try new things,” Kendall said.
FOX 2 first introduced Sydney story one year ago in May, when she received her first 3D robotic arm. Sydney lost much of her right arm in a boating accident eight years ago. At the time she had two standard prostheses, a cosmetic one for balance when she skis and one that allowed a pinching movement.
It’s Kendall’s second prosthetic arm to be made by a printer. This one is even better.
“It will have the ability to have fine motion in the fingers and the wrist,” Shriners Hospital Chief of Staff Dr. Perry Schoenecker said.
Sydney lost her own arm in a boating accident. Shriners and experts at Washington University Medical School worked together creating the affordable medical device. Washington University engineering students came up with the idea and with the help of a 3D printer the dream became reality.
Conventional prosthetic costs about $15,000 the new ones, made on a 3D printer cost just over $100. Making them even cheaper on a printer means more kids can get help.
“There are so many underprivileged kids across the world that would need these type of prostheses,” said Nic Thompson Jr., a scientist at Wash University.
The 14-year-old high school freshman now exudes confidence and happiness.
“See how excited she is and the smile on her face it’s pretty neat,” said Mike Kendall, Sydney’s father.
His daughter wants to be a doctor.
Beth Kendall, her mother, adds, “She thinks this is neat, (she) can pave the way to make prosthetics more available for kids.”
Sydney said she can’t wait to show it off to her fellow students.
“I think they’re going to think it’s really cool because they’ve just never seen anything like this. Especially since it’s made from a 3D printer,” said Sydney.
