Aubrey Sauvie, a 12-year-old from Murfreesboro, Tennessee, was born without hands but has found new hope in her passion for drumming thanks to a team of engineering students at Tennessee Tech. These students created custom 3D-printed prosthetic hands, enabling Aubrey to play her snare drum with newfound ease.
Aubrey, who was born as a triple congenital amputee, previously struggled to play drums by holding sticks in the crease of her elbows. “Before I had them, I was having to put the drumsticks and stuff in my sleeves,” she said, explaining how the sticks would often slip. The new prosthetics, designed by ten students as part of a class project, offer a stable and secure grip.
Innovative collaboration
The project was overseen by Professor Stephen Canfield, who runs the Tech Engineering for Kids program. This initiative pairs engineering students with children who have special needs to create custom assistive technologies. “Inside the operating room, it was an incredible experience being able to show a patient what their new kidney looked like before placing it inside the body,” Dr. Satish Nadig, transplant surgeon and director of the Northwestern Medicine Comprehensive Transplant Center, said in the release.
Throughout the semester, Aubrey provided feedback on the prosthetics, leading to multiple design iterations. “We would send a certain design to Aubrey, and then she would say, ‘OK, I think this is good, but it’s a little bit long, could it be shortened?’ or … ‘it’s a little bit hot on my arm, could you potentially, like, make it a little bit more breathable?’” said mechanical engineering senior Zak Henson.
The impact
The final product has significantly improved Aubrey’s drumming experience and holds potential for other uses. “If you wanted [them] to hold kayak oars or whatever, you could theoretically just print out different tips to put on this same base of prosthetics,” explained Jennifer Sauvie, Aubrey’s mother.
An inspirational journey
Despite her physical challenges, Aubrey has participated in various activities including dance, taekwondo, and music. Her determination and resilience have inspired the students who worked with her. “She just makes it look easy to live life without hands,” said Micah Page, one of the engineering students.
The custom prosthetics are expected to last Aubrey for several years before she outgrows them. As she continues her journey, these innovative devices will support her passion for drumming and other activities. Aubrey’s story highlights the transformative power of technology and the spirit of collaboration in overcoming physical challenges.
