Ottobock has introduced iconiq, a silicone liner manufactured using 3D printing for lower limb prostheses. This solution addresses a common problem: 68% of users report fitting discomfort. With a simple scan, a customized piece is generated without the need for traditional molds, reducing costs and allowing replacement every six months. For the user, this translates into greater comfort and daily mobility without complications.
Simple scanning and mold-free manufacturing: how the technology works 🦿
The technical process of iconiq eliminates the manual steps of taking molds and casting. The prosthetist performs a 3D scan of the residual limb, whose data is sent directly to a printer that produces the silicone liner. By not requiring a physical mold, time and material are saved, and customization is total. The piece fits the user's exact geometry, distributing pressure more evenly. The result is a more stable and efficient interface, with a semi-annual replacement cycle that maintains hygiene and comfort.
Goodbye to chafing: the residual limb is no longer a battlefield 🛡️
Finally, the residual limb is no longer the guinea pig for adjustments using talc and extra socks. With iconiq, the days of thinking this chafes but I'll get used to it could be numbered. Now, the printed silicone promises such a precise fit that even the most skeptical will set aside duct tape as a temporary solution. And the best part: you don't need to be an aerospace engineer to change it every six months, just remember the date on the calendar.