Open prosthetics: intellectual property, 3D printing, medical innovation, and sustainable development

This chapter considers the role of open innovation makerspaces in the construction of prosthetics in light of the broader ambition of promoting sustainable development - particularly in respect of healthcare. In terms of its methodology, this project has relied upon qualitative interviews with key figures in the maker community, as well as field visits to makerspaces. This chapter has in particular been informed by interviews with open source 3D printing practitioners in the European Union, seeking to address public health, access to medicines and research tools, and disability rights. Section 1 of this chapter focuses upon Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) relying upon 3D printing in Jordan to provide prosthetics for those from the region with disability needs. It explores the expansion of this project to Haiti and Palestine to deal with 3D printing of face masks for burn victims. Section 2 examines a medical 3D printing project run by Thomas Maal and Lars Brouwers at Radboud University in Nijmegen in both the Netherlands and Sierra Leone. Section 3 explores the Careables project in Belgium. It focuses upon legal considerations in respect of privacy and data protection; intellectual property; product liability; and medical regulation. The conclusion considers the wider scope for open licensing in respect of 3D printing in the fields of prosthetics and medicine. It also makes recommendations for the expansion of disability rights in respect of intellectual property law. The conclusion maintains that such open source projects could be scaled up as part of efforts to accelerate the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals - particularly in the area of healthcare.