After his father 3D-printed his ‘hand’, a boy with an amputated arm after only 10 days was able to hold the sticks and play drums.
Sol Smith-Ryan (6 years old) from Anglesey has his drummer dream come true. His father invented an attachment that holds the drumsticks together.
Now, he hopes to emulate Rick Allen, the famous, one-armed drummer who played for Def Leppard in Sheffield.
Rick Allen, however, is 58 and plays his drums by foot pedals.
Father Ben Ryan stated that Sol has wanted to drum since childhood and got one for Christmas.
Sol Smith-Ryan (6 years old) is now able to drum after his dad created an attachment which snaps his drumsticks into place
“It is wonderful that he already has a great role model. Knowing his disability does not need to keep him from succeeding in life, I think.
“I love to think that technology has allowed us to give him the ability to use two hands.
This attachment can be attached to Sol’s 3D-printed bionic modular arm. Sol is able to match and mix accessories so he has the best tool for his job.
It is unique in its type anywhere on the planet.
After losing his left arm at the age of 10, his 44-year old dad, a dedicated father made it his mission for him to make his son’s life more fulfilling.
He created a new, innovative invention in December 2021. It is a rubber lightweight, moveable hand made of rubber and cables. The strap attaches to his right shoulder.
Sol also uses the hand with an NHS-issue Lego-type hand, which can be slid onto his handlebar for riding his scooter.
Ben believes that Sol, the new rubber-based fusion printed hand will have the ability to perform all of the tasks once it is familiar.
Ben Ryan, Dad: “Sol wanted to be a drummer since childhood. He got one for Christmas.”
Ben stated that while some may think the design was more complex, Ben explained that it was designed for sports. The grippier fingertips would enable a person to toss a ball onto the pitch with two hands, or to use a lighter attachment to the football.
Hands weigh only 166g. The average adult hand is 460g. 500g for the bionic hand.
This hand looks like a “Simpsons” hand with a thumb, three fingers, and less chance of it falling off.
Ben stated that the hand was made with a mixture of HP MultiJet Fusion nylon parts and expanded rubber from a desktop printing machine. This combination gives the hand incredible strength, but also has the feel of leather.
“Movement” is inspired from Victorian techniques, which use your body’s power to function. This gives you intuitive power and faster control.
“There is no need for motors or electronic components, making it less susceptible to breaking and much cheaper. The technology can also be used in water.
Sol wants to follow in the footsteps of one-armed Def Leppard drummer Rick Allen (pictured in 2012)
Once he was satisfied with his existing design, he began work on the hand. A 3D printed prosthetic arm is possible to be enhanced with new scanned 3D sockets.
A child does not have to get a new arm each time they grow. It could be used for a year without any socket modifications.
It can be attached to other devices.
Ben, a psychologist teacher, was married to Katie Smith (41), who is a nurse and works at the NHS from Menai Bridge, on the Welsh island, Anglesey. After Sol’s birth, Sol had to be amputated.
Ben found that prosthetics help children to function more effectively.
The father-of-2 was faced with long waiting lists for the NHS and came up with the brilliant idea to make his own.
Amazingly, he was able to do this with an X-Box scanner, and a 3D-printer. And, it’s fortunate he did. Sol received Sol’s NHS arm 11 months later, having grown out of the NHS.
Ben has since set up Ambionics Ltd. his non-profit business, following this touching act of love.
He now wants to offer education and prosthetics to all children in the world at a low cost.
Ben said, “Yes. We can all agree to our differences. But, if a child grows without using a second hand or uneven weight distribution they may have multiple problems. These can include a weak stump, arthritis, poor circulation and curvature spine, nerve issues, and even poor circulation.
Protheses can also give your child self-confidence – suicide is very common in amputee communities.
Sol does not just climb and swim, he also rides his bicycle, loves football, and enjoys karate.
Dex, his four-year-old brother, loves playing with him and fighting.
Ben is available to help with any children that need assistance, such as a hand, an arm, leg or authotics (corrective Braces), or can provide the tools and skills they require on Ambionic UK’s YouTube channel Ambionic UK. They can also buy the items from Ben at a fraction the price.
Ben seeks corporate sponsors for his incredible venture and well-wishers to donate.
For more information, please go to www.ambionics.co.uk