Super Dad 3D Prints $10 Prosthetic Hand for His Son on a MakerBot
A prosthetic hand costs $30,000, so how did a dad from Massachusetts create one for his son for only $10? He used open-source plans and a 3D printer.
Leon McCarthy was born with his fingers missing on his left hand. Under normal medical care, a prosthetic hand would have cost upwards of $30,000, and would obviously need to be replaced many times as he grew up.
Leon’s dad, Paul McCarthy, decided to turn to 3D printing for an innovative solution. A designer in Washington developed open-source plans for a prosthetic hand that could be made at home. So McCarthy bought himself a MakerBot 3D printer, tuned the model to fit his son’s arm, and 3D printed Leon a new hand.
At first Leon thought his dad was a little crazy, but now thinks his did is pretty awesome.
And Paul, likewise is just proud that he can make his son happy. “It’s the best thing,” said Paul.
Here is a photo of Leon posing with MakerBot co-founder and CEO Bre Pettis at a MakerBot store event.
Watch this segment from CBS Evening News to meet Leon and his dad Paul McCarthy and hear their amazing story.
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