In June, Jonah Villamil had an exciting experience. After three years, he was finally able to surf with his new 3-D printed prosthetic leg, which he affectionately calls his “DNA leg” due to its unique twisty structure. Unlike previous prosthetic legs he had tried, this one from Limber Prosthetics and Orthotics, a startup associated with UC San Diego, was lightweight and allowed water to flow through it easily, enhancing Jonah’s surfing experience.
Limber Prosthetics and Orthotics creates below-the-knee prosthetics using an innovative iPhone app that scans the patient’s limbs. This data is then sent to a 3-D printer, enabling Limber to produce a precise and customized prosthetic leg at a faster rate compared to traditional methods.
Joshua Pelz, co-founder and CEO of Limber, is passionate about the project because of its tangible impact on people’s lives. While other industries may have indirect impact, Limber’s prosthetics directly improve the lives of individuals by providing them with a device that allows them to regain their mobility and return to their daily activities.
The concept for the Limber UniLeg was initially conceived in a UCSD classroom in 2019. The aim was to use technology, such as digital design programs and 3-D printing, to address a global problem. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 40 million people in developing countries are amputees, with only 5 percent having access to prosthetic care. Traditional prosthetic limbs are expensive and time-consuming to produce, as they require manual craftsmanship. This makes them inaccessible to a significant portion of the population.
The founders of Limber, including Pelz, Luca De Vivo Nicoloso, and Herb Barrack, developed the first prototype of the Limber UniLeg in collaboration with their professor. They utilized materials that are stronger than everyday plastic, yet offer varying levels of flexibility and stiffness. The design of the Limber leg is inspired by the lightweight durability of a chollas cactus, which De Vivo Nicoloso studied during his doctoral engineering thesis. This unique design eliminates the need for multiple components and small metal screws, resulting in a streamlined, one-piece prosthetic leg.
Limber’s commitment to making prosthetics more accessible extends beyond the United States. Barrack has been providing prosthetic care to amputees in Ensenada, Mexico, for over two decades. The founders of Limber realized the tremendous impact they could make during a trip to Ensenada, where they fitted the community with their prototype prosthetic limbs. This experience solidified their determination to transform their class project into a sustainable business that could positively impact millions of people worldwide.
Since its official launch in 2020, Limber has gained support and funding. Despite a challenging venture capital environment caused by the pandemic, Limber secured a $263,000 investment and won the top prize at the San Diego Angel Conference. Furthermore, UC San Diego recently invested $250,000 in the company. Currently, Limber has raised approximately $1.2 million, which will be used to expand their 3-D printing capacity, establish a larger off-campus lab space, conduct clinical trials, and ultimately launch a commercial product by next year.
In its efforts to increase production capacity, Limber plans to build an additional five 3-D printers by the end of this year and aims to sell 200 prosthetic legs in the United States in 2024. While international expansion is on their agenda, the primary focus for Limber at present is establishing a sustainable business model in the United States.
Limber collaborates with certified clinics rather than direct patients. The company provides digital design and manufacturing support to these clinics, allowing them to fabricate prosthetics. The price of the Limber UniLeg and whether it will be covered by insurance are yet to be determined. However, Limber emphasizes that its prosthetics are not a cheap alternative; rather, they represent an innovative approach to improving patients’ quality of life and enhancing clinicians’ prosthetic practices.
Limber’s prosthetic leg is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Jesus Mendoza, a local certified prosthetist and orthotist, highlights that while the design has its benefits for specific cases, it may not work for everyone. For individuals like Jonah, who underwent amputation due to a sudden infection, the Limber UniLeg offers an alternative that enables them to maintain an active lifestyle. Jonah’s passion for sports and desire to engage in activities such as wrestling, basketball, and jiu-jitsu led him to pursue a prosthetic leg that would facilitate these pursuits. His enthusiasm for water-based activities, such as surfing and hiking, sparked his request for a “water leg.”
Jonah’s experience serves as a testament to the positive impact that Limber’s prosthetic limbs can have on individuals’ lives. By combining innovative technology, creative design inspired by nature, and their commitment to accessibility, Limber aims to revolutionize the field of prosthetics and ensure that more people can regain their freedom of movement and enjoy an active lifestyle.
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