Project Circleg

Affordable lower-limb prosthetic system made of recycled plastic waste

Institut für Designforschung (IDE)

Project Circleg is an appropriate lower-limb prosthetic system designed for the needs of amputees in developing countries. By using recycled plastic waste in combination with simple production methods, the Circleg prosthesis can be produced locally and cost-effectively.

Challenge
35 to 40 million people globally require prosthetic and orthotic services (WHO). Today, only 1 out of 10 people in need have access to affordable assistive products, including prostheses and orthoses. Without access to such products, many individuals in need are confined to their homes and live dependent, excluded lives. In addition, many existing low-cost prosthetic solutions lack in terms of functionality and comfort and most of them are depen- dent on donations.

Vision
With Project Circleg we are building a social impact business that develops and distributes affordable lower-limb prosthetics for amputees in developing countries. By selling the prosthetic leg units and providing an adjustment and repair service, we want to generate income and therefore be a self-sustaining enterprise.

Uniqueness
Compared to existing low-cost prosthetic solutions, the Circleg prosthesis has very high functionality for a still affordable price. This not only increases comfort for the user but adds some vital functions for daily activities like using a squat toilet or enabling a kneeling position. The modular design ensures that the Circleg prosthesis can be individually adapted to the user in terms of size and colour. By using recycled plastic waste in combination with simple production methods, the Circleg prosthesis can be produced locally. This adds value to the local economy by turning waste into a tradable resource and creating jobs that can generate income for some people and their families.

Approach
We see great potential for affordable prosthetics in the developing world. Kenya and Uganda are a good starting point for us, as we have already established a network of contacts in the plastic waste industry and in low-cost prosthetic projects. Project Circleg is currently in the development phase. During the next two years we will further improve the prosthetic solution, build up partnerships and hopefully bring the product to market in 2021.

Social Media
@projectcircleg

  • Aufsätze in Fachzeitschriften

    Drosten, Lukas (2019): «Ganzheitlicher Ansatz zur selbstbestimmten Mobilität». In: Schweizerische Vereinigung für Zukunftsforschung (Hg.): Swissfuture. Magazin für Zukunfstmonitoring, 03. Luzern: 26–29.

  • Öffentliche Präsentationen

    Oschwald, Simon (2019): «Maker Days Zürich». 16.03.2019–16.03.2019. Impact Hub, Zürich. Online unter: https://zurichmakers.ch/maker-days.

  • Öffentliche Präsentationen

    Oschwald Simon (2019): «From Plastic Waste to Affordable Lower Limb Prosthetics». 30.08.2019–01.09.2019. Scientifica 2019: Science Fiction – Science Facts, Zürich. Online unter: https://www.scientifica.ch/events/kurzvorlesungen/From-Plastic-Waste-to-Affordable-Lower-Limb-Prosthetics/.

  • Preise

    Engel Fabian, Oschwald Simon (2019): Together we’re better Start-Up Preis. Für: «Project Circleg». DEZA und SECO. Online unter: https://www.interactive.eda.admin.ch/blog/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?ID=209&lng=de.

  • Medienresonanz

    Cordes, Heiko (2019): «Orthopädie Technik». In: Bundesinnungsverband für Orthopädie-Technik (Hg.): Orthopädie Technik, 01.11.2019. Magazinbericht. Dortmund: Verlag Orthopädie-Technik, 14–16. Besprechung von: Orthopädie Technik. Cordes, Heiko.

  • Medienresonanz

    SRF (2019): «Problem: Teure Prothesen - Lösungsidee: Prothesen aus Plastikmüll. Die Industriedesigner Fabian Engel und Simon Oschwald wollen Plastikmüll sinnvoll nutzen. Nun arbeiten sie an einer Beinprothese aus recyceltem Kunststoff, die sich auch in wenig entwickelten Ländern günstig herstellen lassen soll.». In: Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen (Hg.): 29.08.2019. Besprechung von: Problem: Teure Prothesen - Lösungsidee: Prothesen aus Plastikmüll. Nuovo SRF. Online unter: https://www.srf.ch/play/tv/nouvo-srf/video/problem-teure-prothesen-loesungsidee-prothesen-aus-plastikmuell?id=7e1224ce-0d31-4ce4-9717-c7f5febe9933.