Send us a text 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 Expo in 2019, perfectly timed before COVID shut down in-person educational events • Created an engagi...
Jul 10, 2025•50 min•Season 11Ep. 12
Send us a text 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 and emotional integration in prosthetic design • How custom prosthetic covers serve as tools for patient a...
Jun 27, 2025•53 min•Season 11Ep. 11
Send us a text 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 prototyping but for actual production components • Zeus hand features industry-leading grip strength an...
Jun 19, 2025•46 min•Season 11Ep. 10
Send us a text 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 prosthetic sockets • Air pressure uniquely compresses only soft tissue while preserving bony structures • T...
Jun 11, 2025•47 min•Season 11Ep. 9
Send us a text 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 patients with mobility limitations • Bringing care directly to patients is especially valuable in rural areas...
May 31, 2025•37 min•Season 11Ep. 8
Send us a text 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 one test bending the aluminum testing rod before deforming the socket • Patient feedback consistently...
May 23, 2025•55 min•Season 11Ep. 7
Send us a text 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 amputees while improving communication between medical and prosthetic providers • Insurance documentation r...
May 15, 2025•54 min•Season 11Ep. 6
Send us a text 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 parts • The design uniquely suited patients who walked barefoot and needed to squat for daily activities • Wor...
May 06, 2025•48 min•Season 11Ep. 5
Send us a text 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 fiber laminations in prosthetic sockets • Creating cooling systems with circulating water that prevent o...
Apr 23, 2025•50 min•Season 11Ep. 4
Send us a text 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 over planned obsolescence • Introducing the Symphony Aqua system that captures limb shape under weigh...
Apr 09, 2025•1 hr•Season 11Ep. 3
Send us a text 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 test protocols for 3D printed medical wearables • Created a turnkey point-of-care fabrication system that clin...
Apr 02, 2025•40 min•Season 11Ep. 2
Send us a text 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's system employs an array of 18 sensors • Machine learning algorithms decode neurological intent, making prosthetic c...
Mar 25, 2025•1 hr 17 min•Season 11Ep. 1
Send us a text 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. • Origins of ColorFabb in 2010 when the 3D printing market was just emerging • Development of wood-filled PLA ...
Mar 08, 2025•53 min•Season 10Ep. 12
Send us a text 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 • Importance of material testing and selection • Engineer-clinician collaboration in product development...
Feb 26, 2025•43 min•Season 10Ep. 11
Send us a text 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 • Emphasis on the importance of open manufacturing systems • Insights from industry leaders about consumer dem...
Feb 19, 2025•43 min•Season 10Ep. 10
Send us a text 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. • Exploring Ravi's journey from tech to healthcare • The critical role of 3D scanning in patient outco...
Feb 08, 2025•50 min•Season 10Ep. 9
Send us a text 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 prosthetic sockets • Sydney Robinson's engineering background and entry into prosthetics • The key pr...
Jan 30, 2025•48 min•Season 10Ep. 8
Send us a text 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 resilience and fatigue resistance • Applications in various industries beyond prosthetics • How PK5000 was devel...
Jan 24, 2025•40 min•Season 10Ep. 7
Send us a text 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&P • Shifting educational standards from certificates to master’s programs • Importance of marketing a...
Jan 17, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Season 10Ep. 6
Send us a text 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 modern O&P • Chris's educational and professional background in orthotics • The evolution and skepticis...
Jan 09, 2025•51 min•Season 10Ep. 5
Send us a text 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 understanding root causes of health issues • Importance of community engagement in healthcare initiativ...
Jan 02, 2025•1 hr 10 min•Season 10Ep. 4
Send us a text 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 orthotics field. Josh provides valuable perspectives on improving clinician's efficiency without overshadowin...
Dec 28, 2024•49 min•Season 10Ep. 3
Send us a text 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 landscapes and fierce market competition. Learn how his commitment to innovation is elevating the standards ...
Dec 19, 2024•46 min•Season 10Ep. 2
Send us a text 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 that creativity and resilience can transform lives and capture mainstream attention. Discover how 3D p...
Dec 12, 2024•43 min•Season 10Ep. 1
Send us a text 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 cost-effective solutions across industries such as aerospace and specialty vehicles. Bambu Labs' developmen...
Nov 18, 2024•46 min•Season 9Ep. 13
Send us a text In this episode, we’re joined by Shiden Yohannes, whose journey from industrial engineering to a leadership role at Formlabs highlights the impact of technology in healthcare. Shiden discusses the rapid evolution of 3D printing, especially during the pandemic, where it played a key role in addressing healthcare shortages. He explains the advantages of an open ecosystem in 3D printing, focusing on orthotics and prosthetics, and highlights the impact of materials like Nylon 12 Tough...
Nov 08, 2024•45 min•Season 9Ep. 12
Send us a text In this episode, Michael Leach joins us, a certified prosthetist and orthotist who began his career as a high school volunteer in 1975. Michael shares his journey, highlighting key mentorships and the evolution of education in the field, from certificate programs to degree-based training. He emphasizes the significance of hands-on learning in developing skilled professionals. We also explore the impact of climate and financial factors on prosthetic fitting and accessibility. Micha...
Oct 22, 2024•45 min•Season 9Ep. 11
Send us a text Luc Boronat, head of the digital division at the Eqwal Group and CEO of Qwadra, discusses his journey and insights on the meticulous balance between clinician responsibility and design automation in the prosthetic and orthotic industry. Join us as we explore the story of a visionary who has reshaped the Orthotics and Prosthetics industry through innovative CAD/CAM solutions. From humble beginnings with a ZX80 computer to creating digital tools that replaced outdated plaster models...
Oct 09, 2024•45 min•Season 9Ep. 10
Send us a text Join us as we embark on an exhilarating journey into the world of prosthetics and orthotics with a live recording from AOPA 2024. With over 1,800 attendees and 20 new vendors setting the stage, Joris Peels and Brent Wright capture the dynamic atmosphere of the event. This episode spotlights the spirit of innovation driving the industry forward, from the latest in 3D printing technology to pioneering products such as an orthosis for tremor patients and silicone printing techniques....
Oct 01, 2024•31 min•Season 9Ep. 9
Send us a text Have you ever wondered how cutting-edge technology is transforming the world of prosthetics and orthotics? Join us as we kick off the Prosthetics and Orthotics Podcast with a thrilling behind-the-scenes look at our experiences recording live at industry trade shows. From tackling technical hurdles with Plantronics headsets to enjoying the comfort of Dive Designs' 3D printed chairs, we share our excitement about the American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association (AOPA) show. You'll...
Sep 20, 2024•1 hr 11 min•Season 9Ep. 8
