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The Limbs of Freedom clinic was constructed in Ensenada, Mexico. This project has been ongoing for nearly 20 years and has grown substantially over the years. We have historically provided 6-8 new limbs at each clinic, with 3-4 clinics each year. Recently, we have started to provide limbs by 3-D printing and have increased our new prosthetic output to 10-12 limbs per clinic. In addition to providing new limbs to new patients, we also service our growing number of patients from prior clinics who return for revisions and repairs. We also evaluate 10 or more patients each clinic who are evaluated, measurements taken, etc who will then become the patients receiving a limb at the next clinic. Our total list of patients for each clinic involves a combination of the above (new patients and old patients requiring attention) and will be approximately 30-40 patients or more when we return in July 2022.
Our team of volunteers leaves San Diego at 6am on Friday; we arrive at Ensenada at 8am and over the next 2-3 days and the work is completed with us returning late on Sunday afternoon/evening. The labor is entirely provided by volunteers (Rotarians and non-Rotarians). Our budget (90%) is largely spent on materials used in fabricating the prosthetics. The Rotarians in Mexico typically provide meals etc as well as procuring last minute supplies that we need to keep the clinic fully operational.
The Rotary Club of Coronado (specifically the Limbs of Freedom committee) is partnering with LIMBER Prosthetics and Orthotics to provide innovative prothetic care for our limb recipients in Ensenada, Mexico.LIMBER Prosthetics & Orthotics combines the latest in 3D scanning, digital design, and additive manufacturing technologies to develop affordable and personalized below-knee prosthetic limbs. We leverage LiDAR and structured light scanning embedded in smartphones to create a 'digital twin' of the patient. Using digital design, scan data is transformed into a personalized device that can be 3D printed. This unique approach enables us to print the entire prosthesis in a single piece, while retaining multi-axial dynamic gait performance through our patent pending design. Our single-piece design, the LIMBER UniLeg, is the key to unlocking the benefits of digital design and 3D printing, because alignment and functionality is transferred from scan data through to the printed product.
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