Orthopedic technology is essentially a craft. However, many innovations in recent decades have led to the increasing use of standardized components. The Munich-based startup Mecuris, a spin-off of the LMU University Hospital, aims to take a different approach: With the help of a cloud-based platform, it aims to empower doctors and orthopedic technicians to create prostheses and orthoses that once again focus on one thing: the individuality of each patient.
Orthopedic aids with just six simple steps, significantly reduced production times, and individual customization – with this approach, Mecuris aims to transform the orthotic and prosthetic market. A market with growth potential: In Germany alone, sales have increased doubled in the last 20 years to more than 1.8 billion euros in 2015Experts attribute this to demographic change and lifestyle diseases such as diabetes. These prospects also convinced the High-Tech Gründerfonds and Bayern Kapital: Mecuris received in a seed
Financing round from the two renowned investors at the end of last year a high six-figure sum.
Prosthetics made easy: How does it work?
Mecuris' cloud-based solution automatically adapts design data for the orthopedic device to the patient's anatomy using artificial intelligence and medical image processing techniques. Importantly, physicians and orthopedic technicians do not require any special knowledge of CAD design or 3D printing. Instead, they upload the digital patient image—CT, scan, or photos—into the configurator, providing the Mecuris software with the necessary data to create a 3D anatomy of the patient. This can then be customized and adapted to customer requirements with the help of a Mecuris technician. Individual preferences play a role here, such as whether the orthopedic device should have a more modern or natural look, or whether the wearer prefers a more athletic or comfortable fit. The print-ready 3D design is then sent to a certified 3D printing center near the client—and produced!
The idea of printing prosthetics and orthotics isn't new. So, how can the Munich-based company differentiate itself from the competition? Manuel Opitz, CEO of the company, is certain:
“We are taking a significant step forward in terms of quality and are the first in the world to offer medically approved, 3D-printed leg and foot prostheses.”
The certification process for these prostheses took a total of four months. However, Manuel explains that it was time well spent:
"Our medical supply stores, our customers, repeatedly demanded CE conformity for our highly stressed prostheses due to a healthy skepticism about 3D printing. Therefore, in the fall of 2016, we decided to address this issue and complete it before the launch of our online platform in April 2017."
CE conformity requires three major steps: First, comprehensive technical documentation must be created. Second, a clinical evaluation must be conducted. And third, leg and foot prostheses must pass a mechanical endurance and maximum load test. The result: Mecuris is the first and currently only company in the world to have passed this test cycle according to the DIN EN ISO 10328:2016 standard with 3D-printed prostheses and now has CE conformity.
Planned: Series A financing at the end of 2017
And the journey continues. In January of this year, Mecuris delivered, among other products, three prosthetic covers, three "FirStep" prosthetic feet for children approximately one year old and older, and one "Pangolin" designer prosthesis. The "NexStep" prosthetic foot for adults with CE marking is also scheduled to be launched in the near future. These are ambitious steps that Mecuris can take – after all, they have strong investors behind them:
"Although we're already generating initial revenue, we're currently primarily financing ourselves through investors. Our seed investors are the Hightech Gründerfonds (HTGF) and Bayern Kapital. Together with the pre-seed funds, we've raised approximately €1 million, which we'll invest in our solution platform and other products by the end of the year."
Series A financing is targeted for the end of 2017. Furthermore, the company plans to further expand its staffing base, especially in sales. A working student in marketing would be very welcome at the moment, Manuel tells us.
In medical technology, not just one, but always three customers must be satisfied: the medical user, the health insurance companies that pay for everything and, of course, the patient:
"So far, all three are satisfied with us, but our patients in particular are giving us phenomenal feedback and recommending us to others. That's what drives us forward!"
What's driving Mecuris forward are the excellent contacts with medical experts at LMU and TUM, which they have as a spin-off of the University of Munich Hospital. Munich as a company location is a good choice for Manul anyway, because:
“Where else can you find two leading European universities and, at the same time, a significant industrial base?
