Assessing the economic, technical and commercial feasibility of developing a lightweight, low-cost, industry-leading upper limb prosthetic for Sierra Leone and wider region

在多年的地区冲突之后，塞拉利昂是世界上上肢截肢率最高的国家之一，估计有90%的人无法获得可行的假肢，阻碍了影响就业、自尊和社会接受的正常活动的完成。Koalaa Ltd(Koalaa)--从帝国理工学院剥离出来的英国公司--基于为英国市场开发的经过验证的概念，寻求通过开发易于使用、超轻、耐用和低成本的产品来解决未得到满足的全球人道主义需求。专门为非洲市场设计的假肢。利用非定制方法和基于专利的面料插座设计，上肢假体适用于所有残肢尺寸并提供三项关键创新；*高度灵活和舒适=延长寿命，减少遗弃率，与用户一起成长。*自适应=不需要诊所/临床医生参与，*消除昂贵的刚性材料=重量比目前的解决方案减轻80%，Costin与地面残疾合作伙伴Leonard Chesshire(LS)和Melqosh Space(MM)合作，在中央政府的支持下，Koalaa将进行为期6个月的可行性研究(包括30名患者的试验)，以确定使技术适应该地区的技术、商业和财务可行性，以及在国内制造和销售假肢的后勤、法规和地理挑战。

After years of regional conflict, Sierra Leone has one of the highest rates of upper limb amputees in the world, with an estimated \>90% having no access to viable prostheses, preventing the fulfilment of normal activities impacting employment, self-esteem, and social acceptance.Building on a validated concept developed for the UK market, Koalaa Ltd (Koalaa)-a UK spin-out from Imperial College- seeks to address an unmet, global humanitarian need with the development of easy-to-use, ultra-lightweight, durable and low-cost(\>20x more affordable than current solutions) prosthetic specifically designed for the African market.Utilising a non-bespoke approach and and patented fabric-based socket design, the upper limb prosthesis is suitable for all stump sizes and deliver three key innovations;* Highly-flexible and comfortable=extend lifespan, reduces abandonment rates, grows with user.* Self-fitting=removes the need for clinic/clinician involvement,* Eliminates expensive, rigid materials=80% weight reduction vs current solutions at significantly lower costIn partnership with the on-the-ground disability partners, Leonard Cheshire(LS) and Melqosh Mission(MM), and with National Government support, Koalaa will undertake a 6-month feasibility study (including 30-patient trial) to identify the technical, commercial and financial feasibility of adapting the technology to region, as well as the logistical, regulatory and geographically challenges to manufacture and sell the prosthesis in-country.