When the medical industry doesn’t think it’s worth manufacturing what you need – or you can’t afford what they’re manufacturing – why not just make your own?

Well, with the help of the internet’s ability to access not only a world of research, but also a near infinite variety of parts and materials, coupled with advances in low-cost and even home-based manufacturing methods, an increasing number of of do-it-yourselfers are doing just that. And not only are these inventors creating affordable options to commercially available products, they’re often creating better options, since they’re closer to the people with the need, rather that working from the isolation of distant, corporate labs.

The computer-enabled DIY revolution that has been changing the publishing and recording industries (to name but two) is now making it’s way into medicine, and you can read Julian Smith’s fascinating article about the phenomenon at “Paging Dr. MacGyver.”