Economic Potential for Distributed Manufacturing of Adaptive Aids for Arthritis Patients in the U.S.

ABSTRACT: By 2040, more than a quarter of the U.S. population will have diagnosed arthritic conditions. Adults with arthritis and other rheumatic conditions earn less than average yet have medical care expenditures that are over 12% of average household income. Adaptive aids can help arthritis patients continue to maintain independence and quality of life; however, their high costs limit accessibility for older people and the poor. One method used for consumer price reduction is distributed manufacturing with 3-D printers. In order to assess if such a method would be financially beneficial, this study evaluates the techno-economic viability of distributed manufacturing of adaptive aids for arthritis patients. Twenty freely accessible designs for 3-D printable adaptive aids were successfully fabricat

SUBMITTER: Gallup N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6371113 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature