Claim OwnershipThe Prosthetics and Orthotics Podcast
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The Prosthetics and Orthotics Podcast is a deep dive into what 3D printing and Additive Manufacturing mean for prosthetics and orthotics. We’re Brent and Joris both passionate about 3D printing and Additive Manufacturing. We’re on a journey together to explore the digitization of prostheses and orthoses together. Join us! Have a question, suggestion or guest for us? Reach out. Or have a listen to the podcast here. The Prosthetic and Orthotic field is experiencing a revolution where manufacturing is being digitized. 3D scanning, CAD software, machine learning, automation software, apps, the internet, new materials and Additive Manufacturing are all impactful in and of themselves. These developments are now, in concert, collectively reshaping orthotics and prosthetics right now. We want to be on the cutting edge of these developments and understand them as they happen. We’ve decided to do a podcast to learn, understand and explore the revolution in prosthetics and orthotics.
142 Episodes
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Send us a text We sit down in the Guatemalan jungle with filmmaker Todd Biss to explore how craft, ethics, and faith shape stories that fund care and protect dignity. From ad-agency polish to nonprofit trust, we trace how small crews, better audio, and sharp editing turn hope into motion. • origins in photography and ad-agency production • defining success through beauty, trust and client outcomes • on-location logistics, tech scouting and studio control • nonprofit storytelling with trauma-...
Send us a text Two sentences from PDAC can potentially change the course of manufacturing history for O & P: additive manufacturing is now explicitly acceptable for coding prosthetic devices that meet existing HCPCS descriptions. We unpack what that clarity means for clinicians, patients, vendors, and payers, and how to adopt 3D printing. • Why PDAC’s language ends the gray area for 3D‑printed prosthetics • What PDAC and DME MAC do and how they shape coding • How to match additive device...
Send us a text We share a personal update and then dive into how injuries, curiosity, and tough feedback shaped a modular myoelectric hand that is lighter, repairable in minutes, and priced for wider access. Ryan Saavedra of Alt-Bionics walks through additive manufacturing choices, PDAC approval, and a roadmap linking prosthetics with humanoid robotics. • user and clinician pain points shaping design choices • modular finger architecture for fast field repairs • nylon 12 and MJF ...
Send us a text What if everything we think we know about human walking is oversimplified? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Steven Gard a biomedical engineer and leading gait researcher. We unpack the real biomechanics behind prosthetic design. From artificial heart labs to O&P innovation, Dr. Gard shares surprising insights on: Why shock absorption and “energy return” don’t always behave the way prosthetic marketing suggestsHow soft tissue acts as a natural spring, changing eve...
Send us a text Credit card rewards expert Colin Stroud reveals how O&P practice owners can transform regular business expenses into valuable rewards through strategic credit card usage. He explains the mechanics behind credit card rewards systems and how business owners can maximize returns on spending they would do anyway. • Single practitioner O&P clinics typically spend $15,000-$20,000 monthly on components • Larger clinics can spend $100,000-$200,000 monthly, generating substanti...
Send us a text Brent Wright shares his experiences from the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association (AOPA) conference, highlighting innovations in 3D printing, data-driven technologies, and revealing his groundbreaking polar printer project for prosthetic sockets. • AOPA attendance exceeded 2,000 people with 165 exhibitors including 30 new vendors • Digital Showcase featured case studies for prostheses and orthoses using scanning technology • Blasingtech impressed with 3D printing capab...
Send us a text We catch up with Niles from Leonard Industries, our first-ever returning guest, as he reveals game-changing innovations in prosthetic and orthotic fabrication technology. This episode explores how new manufacturing tools are making fabrication faster, safer, and more consistent while helping address the industry's technical workforce challenges. • Leonard Industries has expanded by acquiring a machine shop with enhanced capabilities • Their revolutionary Wave Oven cuts heating...
Send us a text We preview the upcoming AOPA National Assembly in Orlando, discussing what makes this prosthetics and orthotics trade show valuable for professionals across the industry. • AOPA (American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association) National Assembly happening September 3-6 in Orlando, Florida • 165+ exhibitors representing various aspects of the O&P industry • Educational tracks covering clinical, technical, business, and pedorthic topics • Up to 34 continuing education cre...
Send us a text Brad Matear, who oversees central fabrication for Shriners Children's hospitals, shares insights on the technical side of O&P, highlighting the critical shortage of trained technicians and pathways for advancing the profession. • Shriners Children's central fabrication serves approximately 19 facilities nationwide, dealing with complex pediatric cases that require exceptional technical skill • The field faces a serious technical talent shortage with 15-16 clinical schools ...
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 en...
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 patie...
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 strengt...
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...
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 a...
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 consiste...
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 documentati...
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 activi...
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 preve...
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 w...
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 ...
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