Mexican company Probionics designs low-cost prosthesis

The Mexican company Probionic has developed a cheaper and more efficient process for manufacturing bionic prostheses for amputee patients. Their design is more affordable price when compared to the international market. For example, a complete arm prosthesis manufactured by Probionics will cost around US$9,500, while the same kind of prosthesis manufactured by a German company can cost over US$100,000. The Mexican company is also working on a commercial model that would allow patients to purchase a prosthesis in installments.

“Our company's prostheses work by making use of the electric energy produced by muscles at the point of amputation. Three superficial electrodes pick up on the electric energy and use it as a control platform that allows the patient to move the prosthesis,” said Luis Armando Bravo Castillo, the company's founder.

“We often hear from patients that they want their prostheses to be light weight, easy to activate, fast and aesthetic; in other words, closer in biological appearance to the limb that was lost,” continued Bravo Castillo.

Probionics has received funding from Mexico's National Science and Technology Commission (Conacyt) and the Ministry of Economy as part of the Technology Innovation Fund. “We have received two grants from the Conacyt, the first in 2008 and the second in 2011. These grants have helped us develop to critical stages in the project. We've established a great relationship with the Commission, they've even invited us to showcase our technology at several international technology fairs,” said Bravo Castillo.

According to studies conducted by Probionics, in Mexico there are around 10,000 people per year who lose a limb or part of a limb. 90% of those don't require a prosthesis because they only lose a part of the limb, the other 10% would benefit from their prostheses.

The company is currently focusing on releasing their prototypes to the market, and they are also working on new designs, such as a prosthetic hand with a revolutionary architectural design and innovative engineering mechanisms.