ProtoSpace, located on the second floor of the library, is a popular spot for students. Featuring a blend of study space, technology, and creative resources, it’s a place where students bring their creative ideas to life. For one student with a long-standing connection to ProtoSpace, the impact of cutting-edge technology in the library has extended far beyond its walls and is making a real difference in people’s lives.

Sebastion Jenson, a Mechanical Engineering student, routinely uses ProtoSpace’s 3D scanning and printing equipment to design, prototype, and test materials for use at the University of Utah Orthopaedic Center. As a senior mechanical engineering technician in the Louis S. Peery, MD Orthopaedic Innovation Center, Jenson knows the value of the library and its resources.

Having worked at ProtoSpace in the past, Jenson is no stranger to 3D printing. “I worked part-time at ProtoSpace about three years ago. It was a great experience—I learned a lot about 3D printing and scanning. The experience prepared me for a job prototyping medical devices at the orthopaedic hospital on campus,” he explained.

In his role at the Orthopaedic Center, Jenson frequently returns to ProtoSpace to use technology to aid in design verification and validation, making sure devices and instruments are operating within predetermined specifications.

To reliably position implants identically for multi-sample tests and verify that instruments can cut or shape bone correctly, Jenson uses 3D printing and scanning equipment located in ProtoSpace. “The 3D scanner is the only tool on campus that allows us to make these otherwise extremely tricky measurements,” says Jenson. Creating components to match simulated bone anatomy and taking precise measurements are both a part of testing new medical devices to ensure they operate as intended.

Jenson is also involved in running mechanical tests to assess the strength of various medical devices and materials. “We often need to test bone screws and other medical pieces we’re designing for the surgeons. We bend the screws to make sure they don’t fatigue or crack after thousands of steps,” he explained. Recently Jenson was testing FDA-cleared devices, such as the Bone Bolt System, a new system for fixing bone fractures.

On top of it all, having the ProtoSpace technology available to the Orthopaedic Center is cost effective, saving the U thousands of dollars in acquiring the scanners, printers and software. But it’s also saving valuable time.

Jenson says having access to these resources on campus has been a game-changer for him. “The fact that I can come in and solve my problem in a day on campus, instead of sending it out to an external company requiring quotes, lead times, shipping etcetera, is a super valuable resource to have on campus.”

Jenson’s time and work in ProtoSpace has not gone unnoticed. TJ Ferrill, assistant head of creative spaces, enjoys seeing how students like Sebastion use what they have learned in ProtoSpace to grow professionally.

“I’ve known Sebastion for a long time and it’s been awesome to watch him grow,” comments Ferrill. “The coolest part of my job is seeing what students go on to do. I get to learn a little bit about where they are and I eventually see where they go. It has always been very satisfying to see students grow and thrive.”

The Artec Space Spider Handheld 3D Scanner and Artec Studio 18 software that Jenson uses are available to all students, faculty and staff. To learn more, visit ProtoSpace.

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