Hand2Hand

Hand and wrist complaints, such as osteoarthritis, trauma, or overuse, affect millions of people. In the Netherlands alone, these conditions cost billions annually in healthcare and absenteeism. For example, with osteoarthritis at the base of the thumb, up to 40% of patients are (temporarily) unable to work. Traditional treatments—from braces to surgery—offer only partial relief and rarely take into account the unique anatomy or situation of the patient.  

Hand2hand builds upon the results of the earlier Interreg 2 Zeeën project 3DMed, which developed a software platform for fast and cost-effective 3D printing technology for patient-specific implants, prostheses, orthoses, and medical instruments. The platform resulted in a reduction of lead times from 6 to 8 weeks to typically 2 days.  

Hand2hand is further developing this printing and monitoring technology to accelerate patients' return to work and independent living. Consider custom-made 3D-printed braces and implants, smart sensors that monitor the recovery and use of medical devices during daily activities and work, and AI-driven models that detect overuse and help prevent it. In this way, the entire trajectory is mapped out: from treatment and rehabilitation to monitoring and prevention.

Objective
To develop and implement 3D printing and advanced monitoring technologies and optimize healthcare for patients with hand and wrist complaints, to accelerate the return of patients to work and independent living.  

The specific objectives: 

• To validate the fast and cost-effective 3D printing technology developed in the Interreg 2 Zeeën 3DMed project in clinical hand/wrist treatments by testing patient-specific resection instruments, implants, and splints/braces, without any assembly or material waste or intra-operative manipulation
  
  
• To develop, evaluate, and implement a virtual reality/artificial intelligence (VR/AI) based monitoring system during the rehabilitation process

• To develop wearables with integrated sensors (stretch and tension) that monitor the functioning of medical devices for (outpatient) clinical patients in real-time during daily activities and work

• To prevent or reduce (aggravation of) occupational risks by means of a model developed with an artificial neural network that provides insight into the (over)loading of the wrist.  

Long-term results (5-10 years after the project): 
Reduction in dependency on assistance by 50%; reduction in hospital return visits by 70% and a reduction in work-related hand/wrist absenteeism by 60%, which will contribute to the increase in gross national product in both countries.

List those within Erasmus MC

• N/A 

List  those outside Erasmus MC

• TU Delft
   
• Maastricht UMC
   
• Manometric BV
   
• Materialise NV
   
• More Institute
  
  
• OA-1 BV
   
• Reinier Haga Orthopedisch Centrm (RHOC)
  
  
• Reinier de Graaf Ziekenhuis
   
• Thomas More Kempen vzw
   
• University of Gent

Not yet available.