Embody Orthopaedic began by utilising 3D printing technology to develop unique instruments designed specifically for a one-person surgical intervention. This led to the development of their H1 implant, the first non-metal hip resurfacing device in clinical use and is set to be the first with regulatory clearance.
Hip resurfacing is an alternative type of hip replacement that allows the patient to return to a higher level of activity and is linked to lower mortality. Metal hip resurfacings have been withdrawn owing to safety issues, leaving a huge gap in the market. The H1 implant replaces the metal bearing surface with ceramic, thereby removing the metal-related safety issues. Using 3D printing technology also enables a very complex operation to be planned and undertaken in a much-reduced timeframe, allowing an entirely personalised surgical approach at an affordable cost. So far, the H1 implant has been implanted 250 times in clinical investigations.
With support from the Enterprise Fellowships programme, Dr Susannah Clarke, a design engineer specialising in medical devices, co-founded Imperial College London spinout Embody Orthopaedic. Winning numerous awards for her design concepts, Susannah’s instruments are now used in both everyday surgery and more specialised cases, such as soldiers with lower limb gunshot wounds.
The Enterprise Fellowships programme has had a huge impact on my career. In my opinion, this is by far and away the best scheme for providing early-career entrepreneurs with essential skills and contacts. My company Embody and I have benefited hugely.
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The Enterprise Fellowships programme offers a 12-month of business support, with up to £75,000 of funding for talented university researchers and graduates to commercialise breakthrough engineering innovations as disruptive spinouts and startups.