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On-demand custom body implants/prosthesis for injured personnel

On-demand custom body implants/prosthesis for injured personnel

Press Contact: 202/225-4071 (office)

Project Name:	On-demand custom body implants/prosthesis for injured personnel
Project Address:	4901 Evergreen Road, Dearborn, MI 48128
Amount Requested:	$3,000,000
Federal Department or Agency:	Department of Defense; Research, Development, Test And Evaluation, Navy
Individual or entity requesting this appropriation:	University of Michigan-Dearborn
Value to Michigan’s 15th Congressional District and the American taxpayer:
This project is developing a unique and state of the art planning, designing and manufacturing platform for custom implants/prosthesis, based on medical images and CAD data using Solid Free-form Fabrication technique (SFF). The purpose of a customized implant/prosthesis is to consider individual variations and differences in the human anatomy, for durability and better functionality compared to off-the-shelf implants. The manufacturing environment for body implants is stringent and the implants need to meet tight specifications, which necessitate robust integration of the special hardware such as the laser, CT scanner and the sensors as well as the software. This request is for acquiring such special hardware and integrating them to the manufacturing platform. The primary goal of the DoD's Operational Medicine Research Program is to develop strategies to assure and protect the health of military personnel. Manufacturing body implants/prosthesis on demand directly from CAD data as proposed here would reduce the lead time and improve the quality of life of our veterans. Most of the requested fund will be used to employ and train students, who would contribute to the skilled work force and diversify the manufacturing base. Further, the advanced technology and research infrastructure would make us competitive internationally.

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