David Edquilang, a recent University of Houston graduate, is the visionary mind behind an innovative finger prosthesis aptly named Lunet, which has garnered acclaim and recognition worldwide. In our contemporary society, one can truly appreciate the ethos of individuals who opt not to capitalize on a brilliant concept for the collective welfare.
(Photo : David Edquilang Official Website)
Issue: Nearly 1,000,000 people have fingers amputated every year. Few finger prosthesis options exist and are extremely expensive ($3,000+ per finger).
Making the Finger Prosthesis Design Open Access
However, Edquilang's intent goes beyond personal gain, as he has decided to make the design open access on the internet, thereby ensuring it benefits those in greatest need.
For the greater good, Edquilang emphasized the importance of recognizing not every ingenious notion must be transformed into a profit-driven enterprise. He conveyed this sentiment, asserting that the most exceptional concepts are sometimes meant to be shared freely rather than commercialized.
Interesting Engineering reported that he underscores the point that many medical insurance policies do not cover the cost of finger prostheses, as they are considered less vital compared to replacements for entire limbs.
By offering Lunet online as an open-access resource at no cost, Edquilang aims to extend its reach to the broadest possible audience, effectively aiding a larger number of individuals in need.
Collaborating with Feng
According to the university's press statement, Edquilang's ingenuity was ignited by a collaborative effort with Associate Professor Jeff Feng also from the University of Houston, who co-directs the university's Industrial Design program.
The genesis of this inventive journey emerged when Feng encountered a patient who had lost their fingers due to frostbite, necessitating an affordable yet highly functional prosthetic.
Their partnership bore fruit as they developed a prototype that enabled the patient to grasp objects again with their newfound ability. However, Edquilang's dedication to innovation compelled him to push the boundaries further.
Guided by Feng's expertise, Edquilang embarked on a prolific design phase, crafting and testing a remarkable total of 60 prototypes in a mere two weeks.
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Finger Prosthesis Lunet's Design
This tireless pursuit culminated in creating a final design that showcased heightened durability and offered a more streamlined configuration and assembly process, along with enhanced functionality.
It's this exceptional creation that Edquilang fittingly christened "Lunet," inspired by the idea of the device gracefully orbiting around the user's joints, similar to a celestial moon. New Atlas reported that Lunet is composed of two easily accessible 3D-printed plastics: polylactic acid and thermoplastic polyurethane.
Each finger comprises four distinct parts, meticulously held together by plastic pins. This ingenious design not only ensures remarkable durability but also minimizes the risk of breakage, owing to its inherent simplicity and efficient use of components.
Edquilang elucidated the rationale behind this approach, stating that the challenge with intricate mechanical designs is their reduced durability.
The outstanding design has garnered widespread acclaim and recognition, amassing an impressive array of awards, including the prestigious 2023 Red Dot: Luminary award, a 2023 Red Dot: Best of the Best award; two 2023 DNA Paris Design Awards in the Medical and Scientifics category and the Design for People category; and won Gold for the 2023 Spark Design Award.
It also stands as a finalist for the 2023 IDEA award and is now a US National Runner-Up for the 2023 James Dyson Award.
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