"Phantom pain and the risk of falling are the two major unsolved problems of leg and foot amputees. The Austrian company Saphenus Medical Technology is developing a sensory feedback system (IPS) that solves these two problems. The novelty of IPS is the «feeling prosthesis» for the leg: The authentic capturing of the gait image represents a breakthrough innovation which does not exist in the global market so far. The key market application of IPS is an add-on device for prostheses, which represents a new product category supporting cost-efficient, affordable, optimised care for amputees. The factor of pain in the form of phantom, neuroma or stump pain puts a majority of amputees under pressure and more than 2 million people throughout Europe are affected by a loss of their limbs. The potential market worldwide is around 40 to 60 million. Saphenus brings to market a patented, non-proprietary and non-invasive device prosthesis solution that reduces or makes disappear phantom pains and at cost savings of 50-85% to existing models. Social and health insurance institutions have recognised the socio-economic benefits of this breakthrough innovation of a direct cost saving of EUR 10.000 to 24,000 per year per pain-induced prosthesis wearers. In SME-1 of horizon 2020 , Saphenus has found reimbursement models with one of the major insurers in Austria and further negotiations with Germany and Italy are on the way. A couple of Competence Centers will be established 2019 for a new point of care for amputees with pain problems. They are subsumed with the preamble of a ""Competence Center for bionic prosthetics and paintherapy"".
The roll out will take place in several steps, beginning in dedicated centers of excellence (GER, AT, IT) followed by further Centers of Competence in Europe, and grow into points of sale in certified medical supply stores in Europe. Huge markets beyond the EU will be approached from 2022 onwards.
By the year 2021, a total of 20 additional employees will be hired for sales, research and development and marketing."
