UNYQ, the San Francisco- and Seville-based pioneer in personalized prosthetics and orthotics, showcased their new state-of-the-art scoliosis brace, UNYQ Align, and their personalized prosthetic cover, UNYQ Performance, at a White House event hosted by the White House Office of Public Engagement and Office of Science and Technology Policy. UNYQ Align combines 3D-printing and digital design, powered by the Intel Curie module, into a stylish, customized, and lightweight medical device that assists scoliosis sufferers.
For this special White House event, UNYQ teamed up with Studio Bitonti, led by famed designer, Francis Bitonti, to imagine a brand new type of UNYQ Align brace. The result is not only fashionable, but, through innovative topology optimization technology, Studio Bitonti and UNYQ were able to reduce the material significantly to create their most breathable and lightweight scoliosis brace yet.
UNYQ Align 3D printed scoliosis brace (Credit: UNYQ)
“It was a privilege to collaborate with UNYQ on this solution. These are the kinds of projects designers need to be paying very close attention to,” said Francis Bitonti, CEO of Studio Bitonti. “UNYQ Align demonstrates how innovative technologies, designers, and technologists can combine to revolutionize treatment of medical conditions and dramatically improve the lives of the people who rely on assistive devices.”
Around 7 million U.S. citizens suffer from scoliosis, a curvature of the spine that afflicts both young and old. Bracing is the most common treatment for children and teens, with prescribed usage of up to 16-18 hours a day. Traditional braces make it difficult for patients to reach the minimum recommended bracing period per day because they are constricting, bulky and perceived as unattractive.
Left to right, Peter Wildfeuer, Eythor Bender, designer Francis Bitonti, Grace Mosier wearing UNYQ Align scoliosis brace, and Shashi Jain. (Credit: UNYQ)
UNYQ Align uses sensors to detect how long a user wears the device, and monitors pressure points to ensure fit and function. A mobile app collects the data for use by clinicians to make adjustments based on empirical data. At 3.5 mm thick, the new brace is lightweight and slim enough to wear under a shirt, and comes in a wide variety of colors and patterns. These innovations dramatically improve the patient’s experience and impact their willingness to wear the brace.
“We are thrilled to have been invited to feature two of our products, UNYQ Performance and UNYQ Align at the White House event celebrating inclusive design, assistive technology ans prosthetics,” said Eythor Bender, UNYQ CEO and co-founder. “I’m continually inspired by people who have overcome personal barriers, and am proud we have developed products that allow them more opportunities to do so.”
The White House event included remarks from administration officials, industry experts, and designers, and featured a fashion show highlighting inclusive creations.
Included in the fashion show:
- The UNYQ Align concept scoliosis brace designed by Studio Bitonti for UNYQ, was modeled by Grace Mosier, a 15-year-old with scoliosis. Grace demonstrated how the tiny, yet powerful embedded Intel Curie module is helping her reach her treatment goals, while its stylish, customized, and lightweight design gives her more confidence and increases her willingness to wear the brace.
- An example of UNYQ Performance, personalized prosthetic covers, that empower amputees to celebrate their authenticity in a fashionable way was worn by retired U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant, Kyle Garcia, whose left leg was amputated after suffering a blast injury from an IED during his third deployment in Afghanistan.
UNYQ Align will be launched to a limited number of the top clinics in the U.S. in October. The UNYQ Align app will be available in the spring of 2017. Updates will be available at www.unyq.com.
About UNYQ
UNYQ delivers personalized non-invasive orthopedic devices that improve quality of life and celebrate user’s authenticity fashionably. The company employs digitization and 3D printing and cognitive systems to enhance device functionality and democratize access to everyone affordably. To learn more about UNYQ, its Hub Network and complete product lines: unyq.com.
About Studio Bitonti
Studio Bitonti creates tools that push ideas into the world. It designs manufacturing processes, products, and software to enable clients to use emerging technologies on a variety of projects with a variety of materials. The studio’s goal is to help clients produce their ideas with the most innovative tools available. Studio Bitonti is based in Brooklyn, NY. More information can be found at studiobitonti.com
(Source: Business Wire)
