Spring Loaded aims to bring bionic knee technology to the masses
A made in Nova Scotia solution to a problem experienced around the world
A team of entrepreneurs in Dartmouth, N.S., have spent the past three years trying to perfect an innovative knee brace that could change the way many people get around.
Now they need help to complete the project.
Chris Cowper-Smith, CEO Spring Loaded Technology, and his team are working on a product to change the quality of life for people who suffer from knee issues.
"One of the major things really early on is that people who have knee issues often have solutions for their pain but they don't have solutions for their mobility problems so a lot of people have trouble standing up from seated, getting out of chairs," he said.
Their solution is a unique knee brace, that isn't large and bulky like others out there.
"We wanted Iron Man. We wanted something that can fit under your clothes that no one needs to know what you're wearing, that's so strong it can lift your whole body weight," said Bob Garrish, the company's co-founder.
"Our brace, unlike products that are currently on the market, can augment the user's strength and help them move around the world."
Right now they can only make one prototype a day. First, carving the moulds then inserting balloons, and shaping the carbon fibre.
"Our carbon fibre bits are actually hollow, so these bits are just over a millimetre thick but this band is strong enough to support the weight of someone one and a half times the size of me," said Garrish.
This slower production pace could all change next week.
Cowper-Smith is a finalist for the Canadian Entrepreneur of the Year and if he wins, the company will received $100,000 — enough to boost production from one to eight braces a day.
"We've had a really enthusiastic response from clinicians, including surgeons, physiotherapists as well as people with knee injury who are knocking down our door to get their hands on this thing."
A made in Nova Scotia solution to a problem experienced around the world.
The company is hoping these bionic braces could be in the market by fall.