Prototal collaborated with Anatomic Studios, a Swedish prosthetics innovation company, to support the production of personalized prosthetic shells using Industrial 3D Printing. By leveraging Industrial 3D Printing, Anatomic Studios developed a flexible, design-driven alternative to traditional prosthetic cosmetics — improving usability, aesthetics, and user acceptance while maintaining cost efficiency and scalability.
User Context and Initial Challenge
The project originated from a real-world challenge faced by Julia, a 17-year-old prosthesis user who chose not to wear her leg prosthesis due to discomfort and dissatisfaction with its appearance. Instead, she relied on crutches, leading to physical strain on her back and wrists.
Traditional prosthetic “cosmetics” typically use foam materials designed to imitate the shape of a leg. While functional, these solutions offer limited personalization and are often perceived as outdated — particularly by younger users.
Julia’s request for a more expressive, customizable alternative triggered a collaboration between Christian Veraeus, orthopedic engineer in Lund, Staffan Dahlberg, industrial designer and Emelie Strömshed, whose master’s thesis focused on 3D printing in prosthetics.
From Concept to Company: Anatomic Studios
The collaboration evolved into the creation of Anatomic Studios established in 2015. The company focuses on prosthetic shells that are designed to be seen, not hidden.
Rather than imitating anatomy, the shells allow users to personalize their prosthesis through:
- Custom patterns, shapes, and colors
- Functional integrations (e.g. storage features)
- Interchangeable designs that can be easily swapped
This approach shifts the prosthesis from a purely medical device to a personal and expressive product.
Manufacturing Requirements
To realise this concept, Anatomic Studios required a manufacturing method that could support:
- High design freedom without geometric constraints
- Cost-effective production of complex, customised parts
- Easy iteration and scalability
- Durable, hygienic components suitable for daily use
After evaluating multiple materials and methods — including wood, leather, and metal — polymer additive manufacturing was identified as the most suitable solution.
Manufacturing Approach
Anatomic Studios partnered with Prototal’s facility in Ystad to produce the prosthetic shells using Industrial 3D Printing.
Why Industrial 3D Printing
- Complex geometries and surface patterns could be produced without additional cost
- No tooling was required, enabling rapid iteration
- Designs could be customised per user without impacting production efficiency
- Lightweight, durable polymer materials ensured comfort and long-term use
The shells clip on and off the prosthesis, making them:
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Hygienic compared to foam-based alternatives
- Easily removable for access to technical prosthetic components
Design and Software Innovation
In collaboration with a researcher at Lund University, Anatomic Studios also developed patent-pending software that simplifies and accelerates the design of custom shells. This digital workflow further reduces lead times and supports scalable customization.
Results and Market Response
Users of the prosthetic shells reported a significantly more positive relationship with their prosthesis. For many, this included renewed confidence and willingness to wear clothing that exposes the prosthesis.
The product has gained recognition through:
- A design award from Region Skåne
- Accelerator grants from LU Innovation at Lund University
- Pilot projects with major orthopaedic technology companies in Sweden
- Interest from international prosthetics manufacturers
Ongoing Production and Partnership
Prototal supports Anatomic Studios with production capacity, Industrial 3D Printing expertise, and post-processing capabilities, including surface finishing and coloring. This enables Anatomic Studios to scale production while maintaining consistent quality and design integrity.
Industrial 3D Printing can support user-centered medical innovation, enabling personalized products that improve both functionality and user acceptance. By combining Industrial 3D Printing with digital design tools, Anatomic Studios transformed prosthetic cosmetics into a flexible, scalable, and expressive solution.
