Revolutionizing Prosthetics: Unlimited Tomorrow’s TrueLimb Harnesses 3D Printing for Unprecedented Accessibility

The medical sector has witnessed a profound transformation with the advent of 3D printing technology, particularly in the realm of prosthetic development. This innovative approach offers groundbreaking solutions, enabling the creation of prostheses that are significantly lighter, more comfortable, and highly customized to individual users. This advancement marks a pivotal shift from traditional manufacturing methods, providing a new horizon of possibilities for individuals with limb differences. Leading this charge is our featured startup, Unlimited Tomorrow, with their remarkable TrueLimb prosthetic arm. Dedicated to making high-quality, low-cost bionic prosthetic arms universally accessible, Unlimited Tomorrow leverages the power of 3D printing to fulfill its ambitious mission. Their commitment extends beyond innovation, as demonstrated by their partnership with The Singularity Group to raise vital funds for amputee victims of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. We recently had the privilege of speaking with Jennifer Barbic, Unlimited Tomorrow’s Vice President of Marketing, to delve deeper into the TrueLimb prosthetic, understand their strategic adoption of 3D printing, and learn about their ongoing initiatives.

3DN: Could you introduce yourself and Unlimited Tomorrow?

My name is Jennifer Barbic, and I serve as the Vice President of Marketing for Unlimited Tomorrow. Our core mission is to produce and distribute a cutting-edge 3D-printed bionic prosthetic arm, which we proudly call TrueLimb. To truly grasp the essence of Unlimited Tomorrow, it’s essential to understand the remarkable journey of our founder and CEO, Easton LaChappelle. Growing up in a modest town in Colorado, Easton was an exceptionally curious child, driven by an insatiable desire to tinker. He spent countless hours disassembling objects to unravel their inner workings, building intricate structures with LEGOs, and experimenting with various motors and gadgets. As he matured into his teenage years, his fascination evolved into building robotic arms. His initial creation was a wirelessly controlled arm, but it was his subsequent endeavor, utilizing the then-emerging technology of 3D printing, that truly captivated him. This innovative 3D-printed arm garnered significant recognition, securing second place in engineering at the prestigious International Science Fair. This achievement opened doors to extraordinary opportunities for Easton, including a meeting with former President Barack Obama, invitations to speak at international conferences, and the chance to deliver a compelling TED Talk. He even secured a coveted internship at NASA, an experience many could only dream of. Yet, even amidst these exhilarating milestones, Easton’s thoughts frequently returned to a poignant encounter he had a few years prior at the Colorado State Science Fair, with a young girl whose story would profoundly shape his future.

During the science fair, as Easton proudly showcased his robotic arm, he observed a young girl meticulously examining his invention, her gaze more intent than any other visitor’s. As he approached her to strike up a conversation, he noticed that she had an upper limb difference and was wearing a prosthesis. What followed was a conversation with her and her parents that left Easton utterly astounded. They shared the painful realities of her existing device: it was excessively heavy and caused significant discomfort, its size bore no resemblance to her natural limb, and its functionality was severely limited. The true shock came when they revealed the exorbitant cost of the device, which surpassed their entire annual salary. This revelation deeply impacted Easton, igniting a fervent determination within him that would never cease. The challenges faced by this girl and her family resonated so strongly that even during his demanding internship at NASA, Easton dedicated his late nights to tirelessly refining his robotic arm technology, convinced that a superior solution simply had to exist.

That seemingly chance meeting irrevocably altered Easton’s perception of technology’s potential, clarifying his true passion and purpose. Upon returning home from his NASA internship, a momentous phone call came one day, unexpectedly from the renowned author, coach, speaker, and philanthropist, Tony Robbins. Having seen Easton’s inspirational TED Talk, Tony Robbins expressed his desire to support Easton in pursuing his passion. He offered to help establish a company that would enable Easton to continue developing advanced robotic arms. Easton eagerly agreed, and together, they founded Unlimited Tomorrow when Easton was just 18 years old. This foundational drive – a commitment to addressing profound human needs through innovative technology – remains the beating heart of our company. At Unlimited Tomorrow, our primary responsibility is to the individuals with limb differences whom we are privileged to serve. We are driven by a steadfast belief in pushing technological boundaries to dramatically improve prosthetic accessibility. This commitment compels us to continuously challenge ourselves, harnessing all available technology and resources to engineer the highest quality, most affordable prosthetic arms globally, ensuring that life-changing solutions are within reach for everyone who needs them.

3DN: What is the TrueLimb Prosthetic? How does it differ from other prosthetics on the market?

The TrueLimb prosthetic arm represents the culmination of over eight years of dedicated research and development, specifically engineered to meticulously address the myriad common challenges faced by individuals experiencing upper limb loss and limb differences. These significant hurdles often include prosthetics that are prohibitively heavy, poorly sized and mismatched to the user’s natural anatomy, and often carry an unaffordable price tag. Historically, many individuals have expressed a strong preference for a bionic arm that offers a natural skin tone aesthetic, yet options fulfilling this desire have been remarkably scarce and limited. Furthermore, the batteries powering conventional bionic arms frequently fail to sustain power throughout an entire day, and their associated chargers are often proprietary, inconvenient, and costly. Traditional sensors, crucial for activating these devices, frequently prove unreliable and are susceptible to environmental factors like moisture and sweat, compromising functionality. Users also commonly report frustratingly long repair times and exorbitant repair expenses, adding to the burden. Compounding these issues, many individuals struggle significantly with the steep learning curve associated with mastering a new, complex prosthetic device.

TrueLimb dramatically contrasts with these conventional shortcomings, setting a new industry standard. A key differentiator is its remarkably light weight, ranging from a mere 1 to 1.5 pounds from socket to fingertip, a stark improvement compared to most other devices that typically weigh between 3 to 5 pounds or even more, which can cause significant fatigue and discomfort. Beyond its lightness, TrueLimb is engineered for incredible durability, designed to withstand the rigors of everyday use. Crucially, each TrueLimb is fully personalized, meticulously designed to match the exact size and contour of the user’s opposing limb, ensuring both optimal fit and a natural aesthetic. The device is also engineered for user convenience, featuring an easy-to-don and doff mechanism, an adjustable socket for enhanced comfort, and a breathable design that minimizes skin irritation. Reflecting a commitment to aesthetic diversity and personalization, TrueLimb is available in hundreds of distinct skin tones and vibrant colors, empowering users to choose an option that truly reflects their identity. Its power solution is equally revolutionary: TrueLimb can be charged effortlessly with any standard USB-C charger, offering an impressive multi-day battery life, freeing users from constant recharging worries. Functionality is paramount, and TrueLimb integrates six intuitively designed, easy-to-remember functional grips, specifically developed to assist with a wide array of everyday tasks, from holding objects to intricate manipulations. Our proprietary sensor technology, TrueSense®, further distinguishes TrueLimb. Unlike traditional sensors, TrueSense® remains entirely unaffected by sweat or moisture and does not necessitate direct skin contact for activation, ensuring consistent and reliable performance. Each TrueLimb socket is lined with over 30 advanced sensors, a massive leap from the typical two sensors found in most conventional devices, which dramatically enhances device activation, precision, and overall user control, making the experience far more natural and responsive.

3DN: Why did Unlimited Tomorrow turn to 3D printing and scanning for the creation of the TrueLimb prosthetic?

At Unlimited Tomorrow, our advanced manufacturing process for prostheses seamlessly integrates cutting-edge technologies: 3D printing, 3D scanning, 3D modeling, smart algorithms, and a comprehensive, fully digital workflow. The decision to embrace 3D printing was primarily driven by its unparalleled ability to address the most significant challenge in prosthetic arm development: weight. Through the innovative application of 3D printing, we have successfully engineered a device that is a mere fraction of the weight of conventional prosthetics, yet it paradoxically boasts incredible durability and structural integrity. This combination allows for a comfortable, long-lasting solution that traditional manufacturing struggles to achieve. The synergy between 3D scanning and 3D printing is equally transformative; it empowers us to create a prosthetic arm that is not only fully personalized and anatomically precise for each individual user but also achieves this with minimal material waste, promoting sustainability. Furthermore, the inherent nature of our entirely digital process is a game-changer for accessibility. It eradicates geographical barriers and logistical complexities, enabling us to extend advanced prosthetic technology to a far broader global audience, ensuring that innovative solutions can reach those who need them most, regardless of their location.

The entire process of obtaining a TrueLimb is designed to be remarkably simple and convenient, prioritizing the user’s ease and comfort. It commences with a few straightforward questions for the potential user, followed by scheduling a personalized one-on-one consultation with our dedicated clinical team. This initial interaction is crucial for understanding individual needs and setting expectations. Next, we eliminate the need for in-person appointments by shipping a specialized 3D scanner directly to the user. This empowers them to accurately scan their residual limb from the comfort of their home. These precise 3D scans are then utilized by our expert team to create a set of custom check sockets. These check sockets are subsequently shipped to the user for fitting. Once again, users engage in an evaluation with our clinical team, albeit remotely, to thoroughly assess the comfort and precise fit of the check sockets. This iterative process can be repeated as necessary, ensuring that the perfect, most comfortable fit is meticulously achieved before proceeding. The final, exhilarating step involves the 3D printing of the personalized TrueLimb, followed by its meticulous assembly and rigorous testing, culminating in a custom-engineered device ready to empower its user.

3DN: Could you tell us more about Unlimited Tomorrow’s project to deliver TrueLimb to Ukrainians in need?

Certainly! We are incredibly proud of our partnership with The Singularity Group on a vital humanitarian initiative. Together, we have embarked on a mission to raise $1 million, with the profound goal of creating and delivering 100 functional prosthetic limbs to the courageous amputee victims of the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine. This project is not merely about providing devices; it’s about restoring hope, independence, and dignity to those who have suffered unimaginable losses. We are actively and directly collaborating with Ukrainian individuals who have been profoundly impacted by the war, working closely to address their specific needs. We are thrilled to announce that we are on the verge of delivering the very first TrueLimb prosthetic to a Ukrainian user, marking a significant milestone in this crucial effort.

As the devastating conflict in Ukraine persists, a tragic consequence is the increasing number of Ukrainian citizens sustaining severe injuries, including a growing population of individuals experiencing limb loss. In this dire context, Unlimited Tomorrow’s innovative application of advanced technologies and our streamlined, fully remote process become critically important. Our unique operational model allows us to bypass many traditional logistical hurdles, enabling the company to provide immediate and effective assistance to amputees in Ukraine, or indeed, to anyone in any conflict zone around the world. Our ability to remotely scan, design, and produce highly personalized prosthetics means that help is not bound by physical proximity. You can learn more about this urgent project, understand its impact, and contribute to this life-changing cause by visiting the dedicated GoFundMe link HERE, or by watching the informative video below that further details our efforts.

3DN: Any last words for our readers?

At Unlimited Tomorrow, our fundamental belief centers around technology with a profound purpose. We are convinced that without the groundbreaking availability of newly advanced 3D printing, sophisticated 3D scanning, precise 3D modeling, and intelligent algorithm technologies, the TrueLimb would simply not exist in its current revolutionary form. These innovations are the bedrock upon which we build our solutions, enabling us to push the boundaries of what’s possible in prosthetic care. If you, or someone you know, lives with an upper limb difference, we genuinely invite you to connect with us. We would be honored to share more about how we have meticulously harnessed these cutting-edge technologies to create a tangible, positive impact on individuals’ lives, offering newfound independence and functionality. You can discover a wealth of information about our mission, our technology, and the TrueLimb prosthetic by visiting our comprehensive website HERE. We also warmly encourage you to follow us on our various social media platforms to stay updated on our latest innovations, success stories, and ongoing projects! We believe in fostering a community and sharing our journey towards a more accessible tomorrow.

What are your thoughts on Unlimited Tomorrow’s pioneering work and their transformative TrueLimb prostheses? We eagerly await your insights! Please share your comments below or engage with us on our LinkedIn,Facebook, andTwitter pages! Don’t miss out on the latest advancements in additive manufacturing – remember to sign up for our complimentary weeklyNewsletter here, delivering the freshest 3D printing news directly to your inbox. For a visual dive into the world of 3D printing, you can also explore all our compelling videos on our dedicatedYouTube channel.