This company is literally changing the way we see implants.
Open Bionics is a UK -based start-up technology company whose mission is to create affordable prostheses with the help Of a 3d printer.
They are about 30 times cheaper than other dentures on the market.
They operate using sensors connected to the skin to detect the muscular movements that control the hand and open and close the fingers.
“I co-founded Open Bionics because we wanted to build support devices that could allow people to have more freedom and independence and we wanted these devices to be really convenient. So at the moment, there’s this Amazing Bionic Technology that exists but is out of the reach of most patients because it is so expensive: we want to change it completely and make it really accessible And de-commercialize a really useful technology. So, at the moment, everything is really exciting with Open Bionics because we’re geing up for launch we tried our Bionic hands with eight-year-old children “.
Open Bionics has collaborated with the National Health Service in the UK, an institution that spends about $75 million a year in prosthetic services.
“I think the most beautiful thing about this is that we are working closely with amputates not only by designing a solution for them, they are helping us to design the solution, so yes, I think it’s really an exciting time. We are focusing on the launch of the first bionic limb printed in 3D. The interesting thing about my work includes seeing people equipped with bionic arts for the first time and this is really a great time. For young children, they often do not have access to these devices, their parents (and often also the NHS) cannot afford them given the high cost. So seeing a baby can move your fingers for the first time is really nice . ”
Open Bionics is currently working on arts that come out of the science fiction universe. Marvel, Disney and Star Wars themes are available.
The goal is to ensure that children feel proud of their implants. This changes the image of prostheses from medical devices to the Bionic arms inspired by the characters.
Bionic, in order to produce its prostheses, employs approximately 40 hours for 3D printing. The person’s limb is scanned with a tablet.
The design of the prosthesis is then planned.
The prosthesis is finally printed in 3D.
A royalty-free agreement has been signed between Disney and Open Bionics.
This means that themed designs have even more potential. The company sees a future in making the implants fashionable and accessible to everyone.
“The future of prostheses is low-cost, lightweight, multi-grip, really a great control and, even more in the future, it’s about hyper-customization.”
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Excerpted from Tech Insider
Source: www.businessinsider.com/open-bionics-prosthetic