Day-to-Day Independent Prosthetic won first prize recently in the University of Toledo College Business and Innovation competition.
Led by Kyle Wasserman, an engineering student at the college, the group was awarded $10,000 for its device designed to help double amputees with limited use of their hands regain ability to perform activities of daily living.
“It is more than just the money, it’s about helping people,” he said in a news report. “The guidance we receive from faculty and other resources on campus is invaluable.”
The device consists of two parts: a detachable spring loaded clamp, which attaches to and holds the residual limb, and an attachment tree, which can holds different items, such as a pen, fork or a cell phone. A connector is attached to the end of the clamp, which connects to the needed attachment on the tree.
The 3-D printed device was originally a senior design project and first developed for a local nun, who lost both of her hands. Wasserman said she is now able to perform normal daily activities and use the device independently.
Sonny Ariss, PhD, chairman of the COBI Management program and director of the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Institute at UT said this competition is critically important to produce entrepreneurship and innovation.
“We are pleased to see this competition continue to become a critical step in developing an innovation ecosystem that fosters the creation of legitimate new products and services for our society.”
