Revolutionizing Prosthetic Care: 3D Printing for Global Impact

In the evolving field of prosthetics and rehabilitation, innovation is not just about technology — it’s about transforming lives. One standout leader driving this transformation is Jared Howell, Director of Global Rehabilitation Innovation and one of the BCM Global Scholars at Baylor College of Medicine.

Howell and his team are pioneering a revolution in prosthetic design and delivery — leveraging 3D printing to make advanced prosthetic care faster, more accessible, and more affordable for patients worldwide.

From Ten Steps to One Seamless Workflow

Traditional prosthetic fabrication has long been a complex, manual process involving up to ten distinct stages — from casting and molding to modification and final fitting. Each step requires specialized labor, significant time, and considerable cost.

Howell’s team has radically reimagined this workflow. Using digital scanning and additive manufacturing, they have streamlined the process into a single “scan-to-print” workflow, capable of producing a custom, permanent prosthetic device in the same day.

This new model eliminates many of the barriers that have traditionally limited access to prosthetic care, especially in underserved regions or crisis settings.

Impact Across Borders: From Houston to Uzhhorod

What began as an innovation in Houston, Texas, is now reaching patients across the globe. Through partnerships and humanitarian missions, Howell’s digital prosthetics program has expanded to Uzhhorod, Ukraine, where access to traditional fabrication facilities is often limited by conflict and infrastructure challenges.

By deploying mobile scanning equipment and portable 3D printers, the team is able to deliver high-quality, custom-fitted prostheses within hours — restoring mobility, independence, and dignity to those affected by injury or war.

Collaboration That Powers Change

The success of this initiative is built on collaboration between leading institutions and visionary partners:

• H. Ben Taub Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Baylor College of Medicine — advancing evidence-based care and academic innovation.

• Filament Innovations — providing industrial-grade 3D printing hardware tailored for medical applications.

• Invent Medical — pioneering design tools and software for personalized orthotic and prosthetic devices.

• Mission for Ukraine, LLC — facilitating global outreach and rehabilitation efforts for displaced and injured populations.

• Steve and Brittany Yeng — supporting philanthropic initiatives that bridge technology and humanitarian service.

Together, these organizations represent a powerful ecosystem where academic expertise, engineering innovation, and compassion-driven care intersect.

The Future of Prosthetic Care

As Howell’s work demonstrates, the convergence of digital design, additive manufacturing, and clinical science is unlocking new frontiers in prosthetic care. The implications are profound:

• Reduced production time and cost make devices more attainable for low-resource settings.

• Improved precision and customization enhance patient comfort and performance.

• Scalable global deployment enables rapid humanitarian response in conflict or disaster zones.

Ultimately, this approach reflects a broader vision — one where technology amplifies the reach of human care, and where innovation serves as a bridge toward equity in global health.

“Innovation isn’t just about creating new tools,” Howell often emphasizes. “It’s about rethinking how we deliver care — so every person, everywhere, can access the solutions they need to live fully.”