Siemens Caring Hands Funds Personalized Prostheses for Ukrainian Amputees
Siemens Caring Hands has committed $250,000 to Unlimited Tomorrow Global Initiative (UTGI) to provide prostheses for victims of amputation in Ukraine. Through its partnership with Unlimited Tomorrow, a pioneer in personalized 3D-printed prosthetics, Siemens Caring Hands is helping to deliver 100 of its TrueLimb prostheses to those in need.
The war in Ukraine has resulted in a significant number of amputations, and over 10,000 prostheses are needed in the country. UTGI, a humanitarian organization based in the U.S., is working with partners on the ground in Ukraine and neighboring countries to reach those with the most urgent needs.
With Siemens software, the prostheses are developed and 3D printed for a personalized fit. A 3D scan of the limb is taken, and the socket model is created using Siemens Xcelerator portfolio, including NX AM software and Teamcenter software. Test sockets are then shipped to hospitals in Ukraine, and virtual consultation is used to select the best-fitting socket. The final TrueLimb prosthesis is manufactured and delivered to the hospitals, where Unlimited Tomorrow provides training resources for the bionic limb.
The use of cutting-edge technology such as 3D scanning, 3D modeling, 3D printing, and virtual communication shortens the delivery time and solves accessibility issues, making prostheses more accessible to those in need.
Stephan Frucht, board member of Siemens Caring Hands, said, “Improving the quality of life of crisis victims is the focus of our work. We are glad to be able to work with experienced partner organizations like Unlimited Tomorrow to mitigate the dramatic consequences of the war in Ukraine.”
Siemens has been actively supporting local Ukrainian families and refugees since March 2022 through its Siemens Caring Hands organization and has donated over €11 million to aid projects in the country.
To learn more about the initiative, take a look at the official press release.
