The Prosthetics and Orthotics Podcast

Send us Fan Mail Rich Dubin, CEO of LER Expo, shares his journey creating digital educational platforms that foster cross-disciplinary learning for healthcare professionals in the lower extremity market. We discuss how bringing together specialists from different fields—from podiatry to orthotics and prosthetics—leads to better patient outcomes and more innovative approaches to care. • Founded LER...

Send us Fan Mail We explore the exciting intersection of engineering, biomechanics, and 3D printing in prosthetics with our guest Ashton Stoop, who shares his journey from mechanical engineering student to designing 3D-printed prosthetic limbs in Mexico. • Ashton's background in mechanical engineering and his path to O&P through biomechanics research • The importance of both functionality...

Send us Fan Mail Dhruv Agrawal, founder of Aether Biomedical, shares how a birthday gift 3D printer led him from medical school to developing the Zeus hand, the strongest bionic prosthetic hand on the market with revolutionary cloud-based tracking capabilities. • Journey from medical student to prosthetics innovator began with a 3D printer birthday gift • Uses additive manufacturing not just for p...

Send us Fan Mail Jochen Weigel from Stuttgart, Germany joins us to discuss his innovative contributions to prosthetics, including post-processing for Niagara feet and the development of the AirFit casting system. • Jochen's journey from clinical specialist to R&D manager to starting his own business 13 years ago • The AirFit system uses air pressure instead of water to create comfortable...

Send us Fan Mail The mobile prosthetic clinic model is gaining traction as Hanger acquires Colorado-based Agile Orthopedics, potentially changing how prosthetic care is delivered nationwide. Raise3D's new RMS-220 SLS printer enters the market with open material capabilities, challenging the economics of small-scale prosthetic production. • Mobile clinics solve transportation challenges for pa...

Send us Fan Mail David Pierick, a retired Applications Engineer, shares the journey of bringing powder bed fusion technology to prosthetics and orthotics, revolutionizing patient comfort and outcomes through advanced materials. • The initial challenge: proving 3D printed prosthetic components were as good or better than traditional methods • Testing showed printed sockets were remarkably strong—in...

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Nate Crider joins us to discuss his approach to prosthetic care through telemedicine, where he bridges the gap between prosthetists, patients, and insurance requirements. As a PM&R specialist, he has expanded to 14 states in just three years, improving outcomes by bringing medical expertise directly to prosthetic clinics. • Telemedicine solves mobility challenges for amput...

Send us Fan Mail Bill Wright shares his global healthcare and engineering journey spanning 36 countries over 50 years. His uniques experiences reveal how important it is to create lasting impact through sustainable solutions with good engineering. •On one of his jourey's Bill was introduced to prosthetics  in Bangladesh where he encountered the Jaipur foot made from sandals and rubber tire pa...

Send us Fan Mail Bryan Costello shares his incredible journey from nuclear power plant worker to prosthetic innovator after losing his leg an accident. Drawing on his mechanical expertise, he developed heating and cooling systems for prosthetic sockets that address temperature regulation problems that have plagued amputees for decades. • Developing heating elements that integrate between carbon fi...

Send us Fan Mail Matt Doering shares how Cypress Adaptive came to fruition. • Entering the prosthetic industry through an unexpected path from Coast Guard service to selling cars • Building Cypress Adaptive with a focus on superior valve technology using spring and diaphragm systems that work even with debris present • Designing components with replaceable parts that prioritize patient convenience...

Send us Fan Mail Diana Hall shares her journey from chemical engineer to founder of ActivArmor, a company revolutionizing fracture care through 3D printed waterproof and breathable casts that allow patients to maintain normal hygiene and activities while healing. • Started after seeing children with wet, dirty casts who couldn't practice basic hygiene • Worked directly with FDA to develop tes...

Send us Fan Mail The prosthetics and orthotics industry is witnessing significant consolidation and technological advancement, with Hanger's recent acquisition of Coapt being a prime example of this evolution. • Coapt's pattern recognition technology transforms how upper extremity amputees control prosthetic devices • Traditional myoelectric systems use only two sensors while Coapt'...

Send us Fan Mail Ruud Rouleaux, founder of ColorFabb, shares the evolution of 3D printing materials from early PLA filaments to revolutionary foaming technology that's changing prosthetic and orthotic care. His journey from plastics engineer to materials innovator reveals how focusing on functional materials rather than competing on price has positioned ColorFabb as a leader in the field. • O...

Send us Fan Mail Discover the transformative world of prosthetics and 3D printing alongside Josh Pelz, co-founder of Limber Prosthetics. We delve into the intricacies of designing lightweight, integrated prosthetic devices, exploring how simplification leads to enhanced user experiences. • Introduction to additive manufacturing in prosthetics  • The concept behind a single-unit prosthesis design ...

Send us Fan Mail This episode explores the transformative shifts in additive manufacturing within prosthetics and orthotics, highlighting key insights from the AMS conference. A focus on open manufacturing options and investor relationships underscores the challenges and opportunities for enhancing patient care in this evolving landscape.  • Discussion on reflections and takeaways from AMS  • Emph...

Send us Fan Mail This episode reveals how Structure Sensors are reshaping healthcare technology, emphasizing their role in improving patient care through accurate 3D scanning. Ravi Shah shares insights into the importance of collaboration and data sharing in the medical field, discussing the intricacies of their hardware, software, and the journey toward providing better solutions for clinicians....

Send us Fan Mail Innovative adjustable sockets stand to revolutionize prosthetics, promoting comfort and user satisfaction for amputees. Sydney Robinson shares her journey in creating Vessl Prosthetics, emphasizing design iterations, user feedback, and strategic positioning within the market that enable transformative solutions in limb care. • Introduction to Vessl and its mission to revolutionize...

Send us Fan Mail Luke Rodgers dives into an innovative material  that offers superior resilience, affordability, and functionality compared to traditional materials. This episode highlights its unique properties, applications, and the excitement surrounding its potential impact on the industry. • Discussion of the material  • Comparison with traditional materials  • Benefits of focusing on resilie...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode with Elizabeth Mansfield, we explore the evolution of prosthetics and orthotics, emphasizing the influence of education, technology, and personal stories on patient care. She shares her experience and perspective, addressing current challenges and discussing the importance of engaging the next generation of professionals. • Personal stories shaping careers in O&amp...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we explore the transformative impact of 3D printing and CAD software in orthotics and prosthetics through the insights of guest Christiaan du Toit. Chris discusses his journey, the challenges faced in South Africa, and how effective collaboration between clinicians and designers leads to better patient outcomes. • The significance of CAD and digital tools in moder...

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Janell Wright discusses her extensive journey in public health, highlighting the impact of community engagement and the importance of addressing social determinants of health. She reflects on her international experiences, the stigma surrounding diseases like HIV, and the need for a more supportive healthcare system. • Janell shares her journey to public health • Emphasis on u...

Send us Fan Mail Can rapid prototyping truly save the day in critical situations? Discover how a simple 3D-printed component prevented a costly machine breakdown, and learn why this story exemplifies the incredible potential of additive manufacturing. We also welcome Josh Steer from Radiide Devices, who shares his insights on the challenges of adopting CAD technology in the prosthetics and orthoti...

Send us Fan Mail Discover the transformative power of 3D printing in the world of prosthetics and orthotics as we sit down with Eleftherios Samiotis, an innovator from Greece, whose passion for the field was sparked during high school summers. From his educational journey at the University of Salford to launching OrthoLife, Eleftherios reveals the challenges of navigating diverse healthcare landsc...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we dive into the world of 3D printing and industrial design with Adam Hecht of Dive Design. Adam shares his inspiring journey from a college project sparked by a TED Talk to revolutionizing prosthetics for both humans and animals. Starting with a humble desktop printer, Adam scaled his ambitions to incorporate advanced technologies like the Caracol robot, proving...

Send us Fan Mail This episode examines the evolving role of 3D printing in prosthetics and orthotics, focusing on advancements in additive manufacturing. Joris Peels and Brent Wright discuss Formnext and hop into the weeds about some other things.   The conversation highlights collaborative robots (cobots) as tools for creating body-specific parts like scoliosis braces, offering safer and more cos...