TMC PULSE

t m c » p u l s e | m a r c h 2 0 1 5 39 R ice University bioengineering students, staff and faculty teamed up with Marvel Universe LIVE! and Houston's Shriners Hospitals for Children to offer patients who lack all or part of one hand a free mechan- ical hand and a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Volunteers from Rice and the online community e-NABLE, and performers from the Marvel Universe LIVE! show helped patients and their families build mechanical hands using Rice's 3-D printers. "E-NABLE is a wonderful and inspir- ing online group of about 3,600 volun- teers that I found out about through the 3-D maker community," said Jordan Miller Ph.D., assistant professor of bioen- gineering at Rice. "E-NABLE community volunteers create open-source designs for mechanical hand assistive devices that can be freely downloaded and 3-D printed for less than $50 in materials." Rice University Bioengineers Use 3-D Printers to Give Kids a Hand A typical prosthetic hand can cost $4,000 or more, and patients can out- grow several during childhood. Kim Harris said the hand that performers, students and volunteers helped her family build will be her son Keith's first prosthetic. "He's really not eligible for [more expensive prosthetics] because he's six, and he's growing quite a bit," she said. Keith, who has symbrachydactyly, has part of two fingers on his left Join San José Clinic for a gallery-inspired evening featuring art, jewelry, extraordinary experiences, and more! Saturday, April 18, 2015 at The Corinthian Portrait of Compassion Honoree: Houston Methodist Honorary Event Co-Chairs: Connie Dyer & Cathy Easter sanjoseclinic.org/artwithheart for ticket information and sponsorship opportunities San José Clinic's mission is to provide quality healthcare and education to those with limited access to such services in an environment that respects the dignity of each person. We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, a United Way agency and a ministry of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. We're hiring doctors! Full-Time Chief Nurse, RN Requirement: Five years of experience in nursing are required, with at least two years in a supervisory capacity For more information: cohcareers@houstontx.gov Part-Time ER Physicians Staffing for the new ETHAN project or Emergency TeleHealth And Navigation. Requirement: Two years experience in emergency care. Physicians, MD Requirement: Two years of experience as a practicing physician in the United States are required. By choosing a career with LifeGift, you will surround yourself with individuals who have three things in common: passion, compassion and professionalism. LifeGift offers competitive salary packages, a wide array of benefits and the opportunity to be part of a dynamic industry that saves lives and restores families. Interested in joining our team? Apply at www.lifegift.org Lifegift Is Currently Seeking Experienced Critical Care Nurses and Other Allied Health Professionals hand. Harris said she believes the new mechanical hand will boost Keith's confidence by making it easier to do things like tie his shoes and carry his lunch tray. The event allowed patients and their families to meet and work alongside performers from the Marvel Universe LIVE! show. Everyone involved in the build session was also invited to attend the show for free. "This project is a prime example of why I chose bioengineering as my major," said Rice senior Kim Le. "I get to interact with people, help them and improve their lives with the work that I've done. To see the children with the hands is an extraordi- nary experience." — Jade Boyd, Rice University Credit: Jeff Fitlow/Rice University E-NABLE community volunteers create open- source designs for mechanical hand assistive devices that can be freely downloaded and 3-D printed for less than $50 in materials. — JORDAN MILLER, PH.D. Assistant Professor of Bioengineering at Rice University

• Cover