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

经过多年的地区冲突，塞拉利昂是世界上上肢截肢率最高的国家之一，据估计，90%的上肢截肢者无法获得可行的假肢，这阻碍了正常活动的完成，影响了就业、自尊和社会接受度。基于为英国市场开发的验证概念，Koalaa Ltd （Koalaa）是帝国理工学院的英国分支机构，旨在通过开发专为非洲市场设计的易于使用，超轻量，耐用和低成本（比现有解决方案便宜20倍）的假肢来解决未满足的全球人道主义需求。利用非定制的方法和专利的基于织物的插座设计，上肢假肢适用于所有残肢尺寸，并提供三个关键创新；*高度灵活和舒适=延长使用寿命，减少放弃率，与用户一起成长。*消除昂贵、坚硬的材料=与目前的解决方案相比，重量减轻80%，成本显著降低。与当地的残疾人合作伙伴Leonard Cheshire（LS）和Melqosh Mission（MM）合作，并在国家政府的支持下，Koalaa将进行为期6个月的可行性研究（包括30名患者试验），以确定使该技术适应地区的技术、商业和财务可行性。以及在国内制造和销售假肢的后勤、监管和地理挑战。

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.