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Rich Dubin, CEO of LER Expo, shares his journey creating digital educational platforms that foster cross-disciplinary learning for healthcare professionals in the lower extremity market. We discuss how bringing together specialists from different fields—from podiatry to orthotics and prosthetics—leads to better patient outcomes and more innovative approaches to care.

• Founded LER Expo in 2019, perfectly timed before COVID shut down in-person educational events
• Created an engaging digital conference platform that recreates the in-person experience with lobbies, exhibit halls, and networking spaces
• Uses innovative approaches like tournament-style presentations to keep audience engagement high
• Emphasizes the importance of cross-disciplinary education across healthcare specialties
• Discusses concerns about the rising cost of O&P education with master's programs approaching $200,000 in total costs
• Highlights the critical value of mentorship and hands-on experience versus academic credentials alone
• Shares practical advice for clinicians wanting to present at virtual conferences
• Believes collaborative care across disciplines leads to better outcomes for patients
• Encourages professionals to look beyond their specialty silos to find new connections and innovations

Special thanks to Advanced 3D for sponsoring this episode.

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We explore the exciting intersection of engineering, biomechanics, and 3D printing in prosthetics with our guest Ashton Stoop, who shares his journey from mechanical engineering student to designing 3D-printed prosthetic limbs in Mexico.

• Ashton's background in mechanical engineering and his path to O&P through biomechanics research
• The importance of both functionality and emotional integration in prosthetic design
• How custom prosthetic covers serve as tools for patient acceptance and identity
• Using Rhino and Grasshopper software to create automated workflows for socket design
• The balance between maintaining clinical control and leveraging AI automation
• The potential for 3D printing to democratize the prosthetics industry
• How small clinics can compete with larger corporations through innovative technology
• The critical importance of clinical evaluation and fitting despite technological advances
• Challenges in biomechanical understanding of complex structures like feet and ankles
• Community initiatives like the Digital Limb Collective that share knowledge and best practices

The field of prosthetics needs professionals from all backgrounds – you don't have to be a clinician to make a difference in people's lives. If you have design skills and a passion to help others, there is room for you to contribute to this meaningful work.

Special Thanks to Advanced 3D for sponsoring this episode.

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Dhruv Agrawal, founder of Aether Biomedical, shares how a birthday gift 3D printer led him from medical school to developing the Zeus hand, the strongest bionic prosthetic hand on the market with revolutionary cloud-based tracking capabilities.

• Journey from medical student to prosthetics innovator began with a 3D printer birthday gift
• Uses additive manufacturing not just for prototyping but for actual production components
• Zeus hand features industry-leading grip strength and 30-minute repair capability
• Cloud-based platform tracks usage data, showing super users complete 700-800 grip cycles daily
• Data collected helps optimize device settings and provides evidence for insurance authorization
• Most users rely on 4-6 standard grips plus 2-3 customized grips for specific activities
• Currently working on multiple versions of the Zeus hand at different price points
• Long-term vision is to become "the operating system for assistive devices" across prosthetics, orthotics, and exoskeletons
• Company of 60 people with half dedicated to research and development
• Future developments include VR training tools for phantom limb pain management

Special thanks to Advanced 3D for sponsoring this episode.

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