Leading prosthetics company makes a stand for Africa's amputees

Seen here ltr the Rheo Knee®, the PROPRIO FOOT™ and a figure of an amputee standing on the African continent. IceXpress Operational Manager, Johan Snyders, pictured with images of product-testing in Iceland.

A recent addition to The Innovation Hub community is Icexpress - a prosthetics company and African subsidiary of Icelandic-based Company. Icexpress works very closely with Össur which is the market leader in bionic technology and advanced materials. As providers of prosthetic services, Icexpress employs a holistic approach to their business which encompasses not only the supply of the prosthetic components but also their clinical fitment.

According to Operational Manager, Johan Snyders, this approach is driven by a passion for Africa and its people, as is demonstrated by the company motto - "amputees stand tall, walk with style". As a South African, Snyders spent many years working with the latest prosthetic technology abroad as part of Össur's R&D division. This experience inspired him to help bring these cutting edge solutions back to Africa, where amputee victims of landmines, civil wars and genocide are so often marginalized by their communities and left to live on the periphery of society.

"There is a big need in Africa. I believe that with a positive attitude and the tools that technology has put at our disposal, we can really make a significant change in people's lives", says Snyders. With parent company, Össur, providing some of the world's most scientifically advanced prosthetic products and technologies, Icexpress is now tasked with modifying these products for the specific requirements of the African market.

Having been at the forefront of research and development in this field since 1971, Össur has pioneered the design and production of some of the world's leading prosthetic technologies in feet, knees and socket systems. Among these innovations is the PROPRIO FOOT™ - a bionic motor-powered foot that operates as closely as one can get to natural anatomical functioning. It virtually thinks and acts for itself, with features that include sophisticated sensor technology that mimics the body's own neural receptors.

Other products such as the Rheo Knee® (the first micro processor knee to utilize the power of artificial intelligence) and high-tech socket solutions are also among those that Icexpress is introducing to the African market. The company takes on a complete team approach to their prosthetic solutions. According to Snyders the process begins with the client and his or her surgeon and continues with the involvement of the prosthetist, the nursing staff and the physiotherapist.

The company is currently working on various projects in African countries, including Mozambique and intends to steadily increase its footprint across the continent. "We are looking to create change for prosthetic users and improve the quality of life for our users", says Snyders. He also adds that The Innovation Hub is the ideal location from which to launch this vision into the realm of reality. "In many ways, the Hub stands for what we believe in. Our main aim is to take the power of technology and innovation and use it to make real change", he says.

For more information on Icexpress, contact Johan Snyders on +27 12 844 0405 or
+27 72 724 7496.

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