South African mechanical engineering technologist Nneile Nkholise is using 3D printing to create 1,000 prostheses for women who have undergone mastectomy surgery.

The use of 3D printing to make quality of life improvements is fast becoming a daily cause for celebration. Indeed, in the last month alone we’ve seen a 3D printed titanium skull plate implant and tactography art for the enjoyment of the blind.

And so we get further comfort for humankind with the news that South African mechanical engineering technologist Nneile Nkholise is turning her knowledge of 3D printing to bear on the long-lasting effects of breast cancer and the drastic surgeries that it can necessitate. Nkholise is using the technology to develop breast prostheses for women who undergo a mastectomy.

With the ambitious goal of supplying 1,000 prostheses to 1,000 women who can’t afford them in South Africa. To go about her benevolent cause, Nkholise founded the iMedTech Group. The company, based in Thaba Nchu, South Africa, uses 3D modeling and printing software to create each patient-specific breast prosthesis.

One of Africa’s Top Female Innovators

Nkholise studied Mechanical Engineering at the Central University of Technology. The idea for this venture came after observing 3D printing technology’s use aiding burn victims and those with facial deformities. However, it hasn’t been easy putting her ideas into practice. Nkholise explains:

“The journey has been a bit challenging because, in South Africa, even the idea of breast prostheses is not known at all. Seeing a person get a breast prosthetic for the first time is really amazing because to them it’s more like they have a brand new life.”

As well as patients, Nkholise is also helping other young women further their careers in the tech world. At iMedTech Group, the majority of employees are African women with mechanical engineering research experience.

As you can imagine due to Nkholise’s fantastic work, her reputation is growing across the globe. For example, at the World Economic Forum last year, Nkholise was recognized as one of Africa’s top female innovators. As well as this, in San Francisco she represented her country at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit.

Source: Beautiful News