PORTFOLIO

The current prosthetic offering is expensive and high-tech solutions, thus not making it accessible to consumers because reimbursement remains a problem and confronts users with out-of-pocket payments. Customization of a prosthesis is based on a manual process that is time-consuming and costly. The care path (from first consultations until receipt of the product) lacks digitalization and is very rigid, which prevents that time, and cost savings can be generated through new approaches. Prosthetics for arms lack offerings for people who seek to pursue different sports activities. In the low-cost area, arm prostheses are not customized much and lack versatility. In consequence, the rejection rate varies from 25 to 75% among countries.
SwissProsthetics was initiated by Prof. Andreas Trojan, father of Sophia, born without a left hand. He could not find a product that supported his 6-year-old daughter in her needs; high costs and little comfort were the main reasons for this. Sophia wanted to play the violin, go skiing, and go horse-riding. Andreas had the vision of a sustainable product that could be expanded in various ways, uncomplicated, accessible to many and integrating a good part of fun factors based on how it is designed. Andreas sought collaboration with ETH Zurich to develop a new prosthetic approach with an arm prosthesis that is developed based on pure user needs regarding costs, wearing comfort, design and functionality.

SwissProsthetics is a ground-breaking ETH project, and with ease4, we want to empower people to do things differently. The current product is the first solution that we aim to bring to the market. We solve unmet needs along the customer journey and integrate people into the entire design process by a new prosthetic approach.
- a new category of arm prosthesis that is an affordable, easy-to-use, and fashionable solution that can be combined with a variety of hand modules that cater to specific activities
- an online configurator to customize a prosthesis in record time online and individually
- an online service to sell a complete prosthetic system.
We introduce digitization into the prosthetic care path and increase efficiency in care delivery. The following key considerations guide the development:
- 3D printing technology: Benefiting from freedom in design adaptation and accelerated production process.
- Online configuration: Integrating people into the entire design process and easily configure customized prostheses components.
- Affordable approach: Keeping costs low by a new prosthetic approach and giving users more autonomy by affordable prosthetic solutions.

The project SwissProsthetics has always been driven by social impact with the aim to create affordable and functional prosthetic hands for people in need. Research has revealed that arm prostheses are generally reimbursed in only few countries worldwide, and virtually no country provides support for sports prosthetics for affected persons. However, bilateral sports activities are enormously important for the development of the spine and healthy posture. We know that we can make a difference, offering our customers the first online service to customize and sell a complete prosthetic system.
By applying 3D printing technology, we are having more freedom in design adaptation and accelerating the production process. The customizable online configurator is offering prosthetic experts a digital tool for custom-made shafts. Our low-cost approach increases prosthetic services' process efficiency by saving production time and making arm prostheses more affordable.
The project SwissProsthetics will be terminated by the end of March 2021 with the remaining employees at ETH Zurich due to a strategic reorientation. Nonetheless, the gained know-how will be transferred to further projects in the prosthetic field. An industrial partner previously involved in the project is aiming to bring the developed products to the market by the end of 2021.

None so far

SwissProsthetics Medienberichte
Bionicman: «Give Children a Hand», CheckUp, Tele Züri, 8. Juni 2020