Medical robotics company offers solutions for individuals with upper-extremity amputation

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Agrawal and Jiwakhan noticed the limitations of individuals with upper-extremity amputation and launched a startup to develop a better prosthetic hand. The result was the Zeus hand, a unique multiarticulating myoelectric hand.

Today, Aether has about 40 employees, including 30 engineers. Based in Chicago, Sarra Mullen, CP, serves as head of U.S. operations. Her background includes the then-Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (now the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab), where she spent 10 years as a practitioner and five in organizational operations and outcomes. Her interest in data science and analytics led to a position at Rush University Medical Center, where she bridged the gap between the clinical team and the analysts. “I bring both clinical and tech skills to the table,” she notes.

The Zeus hand has a high grip force (152 N) and can lift 77 pounds, according to Mullen. Its seven modules are “plug and play,” allowing each to be swapped out and repaired by a clinician in less than 60 minutes, Mullen says: “Clinicians don’t need to order and wait for a loaner hand, which decreases how long the patient has to be without their device.”

The prosthesis offers 12 grip patterns that can be customized for each user and has a soft grip feature to allow users to safely handle delicate items. The fingers work individually, allowing them to conform to the shape of the object, regardless of shape and size. Other features include an impact resistance mechanism that allows the fingers to flex when facing a blow, which protects them from breaking.

Zeus comes with a digital platform, consisting of a web application for clinicians and mobile application for patients. Because it is web-based, clinicians don’t ether Biomedical was founded in 2018 by Dhruv Agrawal and Faith Jiwakhan, who met in high school. As students, Agrawal and Jiwakhan shared a keen interest in the technological side of medicine and started teaching themselves electronics, programming, and mechanical design. Eventually, Jiwakhan studied medicine and earned a diploma in robotics; Agrawal completed a bachelor’s degree in management, followed by a master’s degree in regulatory affairs.need to download anything on their computer and can access their portal from any computer. Additionally, the system provides traceability, ensuring that multiple offices or clinicians within the same practice can view the history of the device and every change that has been made.

Clinicians can remotely connect with a patient device to make configuration adjustments and monitor device usage. That feature provides outcomes data that can be used to support insurance justifications and improve outcomes, according to Mullen.

“Right now we have a standard adult-size hand,” she says, “but in the fall we will be introducing a smaller version. We’re also launching a more aesthetic hand in April, the Zeus V1-T, which has a more anthropomorphic look.”

The Zeus hand is available exclusively through SPS and Hanger Direct, both of which maintain a stock of demonstration units. Aether representatives attend trade shows and meetings to promote the company. “We have been very fortunate that word-of-mouth about our products is spreading,” Mullen says.

As befits a company founded by engineers, Aether uses such advanced technologies as artificial intelligence, machine learning, IoT, and additive manufacturing to build the Zeus hand. As technology evolves in the O&P space, Mullen is confident that Aether Biomedical will remain at the forefront. “We look at the wide world of technology and see how it can be transferred into upper-limb care,” she says. “We also plan to expand into other areas of rehabilitation because we believe our technology can be used to help spinal cord and brain injury patients, as well as those with musculoskeletal impairment.”

Aether has focused its efforts helping the wounded soldiers of Ukraine, a close neighbor of Poland. The company brings Ukrainian soldiers to Poland and fits them with hands for free or at a greatly reduced cost.

“Our motto is to make bionics accessible to all,” says Mullen. “We want to make a hand where users can enhance their performance and achieve their goals.”

PHOTO CREDITS: AETHER BIOMEDICAL Member Spotlight BY DEBORAH CONN

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