WREX (Wilmington Robotic Exoskeleton) 3D Printed Arms

The Wilmington Robotic Exoskeleton (WREX) gives upper body support to children suffering from musculoskeletal disabilities. The parts are individually 3D printed to fir the patient and can be replaced as the child grows.

The system was developed by the Department of Orthopedics at the Alfred I duPont Hospital for Children in Delaware. Their previous exoskeletons were built using metal and had proved too heavy for very young children to wear, until the design team used 3D printing technology to develop a new lightweight plastic version. The project demonstrates how digital manufacturing technologies are benefitting patients with individual medical care solutions. Four-year old Emma Lovelle suffers from arthogryposis, a congenital disorder that limits limb movements. She describes her plastic exoskeleton as her ‘magic arms’ and as she grows a new set can be printed to match her unique body shape.

Designed + Manufactured by: Tariq Rahman and Whitney Sample of Nemours/Alfred I duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, Delaware, USA with help from Stratasys Ltd.