Custom Artificial Limbs Turn Prosthetics Into Personal Art Pieces

Using rapid prototyping techniques like 3D scanners and printers, Scott Summit’s company brings self-esteem back to those who’ve suffered a limb loss with custom-designed coverings that turn prosthetics into stunning pieces of art.

Summit, a Stanford engineering lecturer, has embraced the idea of using cutting edge technologies to create products that can drastically improve someone’s life. So Bespoke Innovations, the company he co-founded back in 2009, uses modern design, engineering and manufacturing techniques to create and produce prosthetic limb fairings in as little as 30 hours, starting at $US4000.

The process starts with a 3D scan of the client’s legs and prosthetic, which is used to create an overall shape for the fairing that matches the contours of their body and their remaining limb. From there the client works with a designer to choose materials like metal or plastic, finishes like leather or a high gloss polish, and even adornments like sculpted features or laser-etched tattoos. The process also takes into account when they intend to wear them, so choosing lighter materials would make them better suited for sports and physical activities. But the overall goal of the process is to produce a fairing that’s unique to every client so they’re defined by how it looks, not the fact that they need one in the first place. [Bespoke Innovations via Scope]