During her fifth month of pregnancy, Jennifer Mohn was told to prepare for the worst for her unborn daughter.
"They told us to make arrangements for her," Hannah's mom Jennifer Mohn said.
Baby Hannah Faith survived, but was born with a list of health conditions, including arthrogryposis, a disease that affects muscle strength.
"She was just really unable to move," Jennifer said.
Four years later she's making great strides, thanks in part to 3-d printed arms known as the Wilmington Robotic Exoskeleton, or WREX.
Each WREX is constructed of lightweight plastic and rubber bands and can be custom made overnight with the use of a 3D printer.
"If you do the geometry right and you put the bands in the correct place, you can get this floating sensation for a kid," Tariq Rahman, PhD, Senior Research Engineer, Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children said.
It's allowing kids like Hannah the ability to move their arms and even flick a rubber band.
"To see her have the ability to reach her arms out, to reach out and grab something is just a really amazing feeling for a mom," Jennifer explained.
Since a 3D printer is used, the customized exoskeletons can easily be made to grow with the child.
The WREX can also be used by children with other neuromuscular diseases or by adults with stroke and spinal cord injury.
If you would like more information, please contact:
Karen Bengston
Public Relations Manager
Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children
(302) 298-7319
karen.bengston@nemours.org
