The future of the prosthetics system in Ukraine

Charitable Foundation KOLO & Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute

Key challenges of Ukraine:

• More than 70,000 people with amputations

• High cost of imported prosthetics

• Lack of qualified prosthetists and 3D engineers

• Limited technological capabilities

• No personalized products during the rehabilitation period

Solution:

Development of prosthetics and innovative approaches in medicine through additive technologies, localization of production and training of specialists

• Additive production of personalized sockets of the stumps, overlays and orthoses

• Education and retraining of specialists

• Integration of the new technologies into the medical system

Capacity and results 2024

The ADDEX project is being implemented in cooperation between Charitable Foundation KOLO, Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute, LLC "Science Park of Additive Technologies", "Sikorsky Challenge" and NGO "Research Institute of Post-War Rehabilitation and Prosthetics"

We would like to thank the companies that already support us: OLX, Unilever, Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute, Science Park of Additive Technologies "Sikorsky Challenge" and others!

15+ years of development of biomedical technologies at Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute

• Fundraising and implementation of the "Help Now" program in 2023-2024 more than $1 million for the use of modern technologies in medicine

• Localization of technologies and purchase of equipment for the launch of the Science Park at Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute and educational programs in amount of 900,000$

• A Memorandum of Cooperation was signed between Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute, "BEZOBMEZHEN", Charitable Foundation KOLO, GO Institute of Rehabilitation and Prosthetics, "Parashar Industries"

ADDEX – combines education, technology and social integration, creating new opportunities for wounded and amputees in Ukraine

The project purpose:

Development of additive technologies in medicine in Ukraine

The ADDEX project is implemented according to the ReNovate Science&Technology strategy of the Charitable Foundation KOLO

ADDEX 3 directions

Educational Programs

• Improvement of educational programs

• Advocacy of innovations in educational processes at the state level

• Provision of equipment and consumables

• Provision of infrastructure

Localization

• Involvement of international technological, industrial and medical partners

• Implementation and provision of exchange programs

• Promotion of localization of production processes, licensed production

• Facilitating the implementation of technological processes adapted to the Ukrainian market and legislative framework

• Cross-sectoral interactions in the ecosystem: innovative solutions - medical institutions - prosthetic hubs

Veteran programs

• Provision of infrastructure and financial opportunities for veterans’ training

• Promoting the dissemination of information about learning opportunities: events, short-term courses

• Encouragement to join the master's study program and its adaptation to the needs of veterans (second higher education, advanced training)

• Employment (apprenticeship, internship, getting a job, starting your own business)

Beneficiaries of the ADDEX project

The main target audience of the project:

1) end users of prosthetics technologies - amputees: veterans, wounded soldiers, civilians and children with amputations)

2) specialists in the field of prosthetics (prosthetists, orthopedists, rehabilitation doctors, scientists, teachers and students, software manufacturers)

Education

• Veterans and amputees

• Students and young specialists in the field of medical engineering

• Educational institutions working in the field of prosthetics

Localization

• Prosthetic hubs and production enterprises

• Medical facilities and rehabilitation centers

• Veteran organizations

• Patients who need modern prosthetics

Retraining

• Veterans seeking a new profession

• Amputees who wish to work in the field of prosthetics

• Educational institutions offering specialized programs

• Employers in the field of medical technology and production

Strategy & Aims for 2025-2030

The ADDEX project is a step towards the technological future of Ukraine and world recognition in innovative medical engineering

Educational programs

2025

• Provision of infrastructure for the educational process (equipped classrooms)

• Launch of the first group of students (21 people)

• Popularization of the engineering profession in prosthetics

2030

• Meeting the market demand for specialists.

• Scaling of the program by regions

• Implementation of quality educational standards

Localization

2025

• Completion of the technological cycle (printer farm, software).

• Pilot production of orthoses, overlays, sockets of the stumps.

• Provision of 50-100 free samples to medical institutions.

2030

• Legalization of additive technologies in medicine.

• Mass introduction of the latest technologies.

Veterans programs

2025

• Launch of an introductory course for veterans

• Inclusive learning space

• Launching a master's program with financial support

2030

• Providing veterans with professional implementation.

• Creation of barrier-free technical education

• New socially oriented business models for the main/additional income of veterans

  EVENTS IN 2025

  May, 2025

  • Presentation of ADDEX within the framework of the International Forum of Innovations in Medical Engineering

  June, 2025

  • Participation of team representatives in the ISPO international conference (Belgium)

  October, 2025

  • Presentation of the results in Kyiv as part of the Sikorsky Challenge Festival

    Funding directions

    Educational program (renovation of the educational base) - UAH 842 238 for carrying out renovation work by the end of May 2025

    Pilot projects launch: orthoses, pads, sockets of the stumps (equipment, licenses, exchange of the experience) - up to EUR 100,000.

    Details: Equipment - priority I

    - 3D-print farm (10 pcs) 25000€

    - MATERIALISE License - 27000€

    - Printing materials - up to 50000€

    Full list of equipment:

    Details: Equipment - priority II

    Dimension (painting line) - EUR 350 000

    Business trips for the exchange of experience: transport costs - up to EUR 6,000

    Familiarization course for veterans

    (Payment for up to 10 participants, campaign to attract, materials for

    training printers, event - presentation) - up to EUR 5,000

    Financing of the full course is possible at the expense of the Employment Center

    Project Team

    Olena Kryvenko - Project lead from KOLO Fund

    Nataliia Seminska - Project manager

    Vitalii Pasichnyk - Professor

    Olexandr Plivak - Head of the SD laboratory of measuring equipment of the ES MEI

    Olha Musienko - Senior Teacher