AWARD YEAR
2015
CATEGORY
Body
GOALS
Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions
KEYWORDS
injuries, sports, 3d printing
COUNTRY
Netherlands
DESIGNED BY
Exo-L
WEBSITE
http://exo-l.com/en/
EXO-L
A 3D printed external ankle ligament which protects the wearer from sprains.
From the Netherlands, Exo-L is a personalized, 3D scanned and printed, external ankle ligament. It is designed to strengthen the ankle and reduce sprains in highly active wearers — particularly sportspeople. Exo-L is produced to order according to the precise specifications of the wearer’s body. It is then positioned over the Achilles tendon and fastened by strapping to the outside of the shoe via a special patch. The Exo-L presents a superior option to braces — which are uncomfortable and restrict flexibility — or tape, which is expensive and difficult to apply. It prevents the ankle from twisting but is only activated when the wearer moves dangerously, so interference with performance is minimal.