Tuesday, August 5, 2014
Robohand USA is a small company run by Ty Esham. She uses a 3D printer to make artificial replacement hands, mainly for children. These are much less costly than traditional prosthetics, which can run tens of thousands of dollars, compared to hers which can run around the fifth of the cost. This is key for children who need them after an amputation, for example, because they grow out of what they have and the cost can be astronomical. The technology, an application of 3D printing for medical purposes, has been around, but a South African man advanced its use and developed the Robohand concept which Esham imported to the states for use. On Tuesday morning I met with Ty and a family from New Jersey. 10-year-old Anastasia Rivas, her grandmother Wanda Oliveras and aunt Mia Maldonado jumped out of their van as they arrived at the unassuming building which Esham rents for her office. Wanda immediately hugs Ty and tears start to flow. You see Anastasia was born without a fully developed left hand and the meeting on Tuesday was for a fitting for her new, very blue, Robohand.
Wanda Oliveras (center) hugs Ty Esham as her family arrives at Esham’s office in Decatur on Tuesday, August 5, 2014.
Ty Esham (left) shows 10-year-old Anastasia Rivas (right) her new robohand assistive device as her aunt Mia Maldonado and grandmother Wanda Oliveras watch at Esham’s office in Decatur on Tuesday, August 5, 2014.
Ty Esham (right) helps 10-year-old Anastasia Rivas try out her new robohand assistive device at Esham’s office in Decatur on Tuesday, August 5, 2014.
A robohand assistive device sits on Ty Esham’s work desk at her office in Decatur on Tuesday, August 5, 2014.
Ty Esham shows 10-year-old Anastasia Rivas her new robohand assistive device during a fitting session at her office in Decatur on Tuesday, August 5, 2014.
Ty Esham (left) helps fit 10-year-old Anastasia Rivas with her new robohand assistive device at her office in Decatur on Tuesday, August 5, 2014.
Ty Esham makes small adjustments to a robohand assistive device during a fitting session for 10-year-old Anastasia Rivas at her office in Decatur on Tuesday, August 5, 2014.
10-year-old Anastasia Rivas (right) watches Ty Esham make small adjustments to her new robohand assistive device at Esham’s office in Decatur on Tuesday, August 5, 2014.
Ty Esham (right) goes over care instructions for a robohand assistive device with 10-year-old Anastasia Rivas (left) and her grandmother Wanda Oliveras as she makes small adjustments during a fitting session at her office in Decatur on Tuesday, August 5, 2014.
Ty Esham (center) goes over care instructions for a robohand assistive device with 10-year-old Anastasia Rivas (right) and her grandmother Wanda Oliveras as she makes small adjustments during a fitting session at her office in Decatur on Tuesday, August 5, 2014.
Ty Esham (right) helps fit 10-year-old Anastasia Rivas with her new robohand assistive device while her grandmother Wanda Oliveras watches at Esham’s office in Decatur on Tuesday, August 5, 2014.
Ty Esham (right) helps 10-year-old Anastasia Rivas try out her new robohand assistive device in Esham’s office in Decatur on Tuesday, August 5, 2014.
Ty Esham (center) helps 10-year-old Anastasia Rivas try out her new robohand assistive device in Esham’s office in Decatur on Tuesday, August 5, 2014.
10-year-old Anastasia Rivas tries out her new robohand assistive device in Ty Esham’s office in Decatur on Tuesday, August 5, 2014.
10-year-old Anastasia Rivas (right) tries out her new robohand assistive device in Ty Esham’s office in Decatur on Tuesday, August 5, 2014.