Focus areas

Because functional abilities and desired activities change over time, the MADE Program creates adaptive technologies and interventions that can be adjusted to your changing needs.

In close collaboration with rehabilitation clinicians and industry partners, MADE investigators use a Veteran-centric, experience-based and outcome-driven design process to create practical, commercially-viable solutions.

The MADE Program is focused on the development and translation of adaptive technologies and interventions that:

• Maximize Veterans’ participation in meaningful activities
• Maximize Veterans’ functional abilities
• Prevent or mitigate complications of disabilities

Collectively these themes focus on maximizing your experience throughout your life, following a disabling injury or illness. To truly break down barriers for Veterans with physical disabilities, adaptive technologies and interventions must improve functional abilities to maximize participation without causing long-term complications that prevent participation.

Meet our Minneapolis Adaptive Design & Engineering Program staff

MADE success stories

Note: the following success stories are intended to provide factual information regarding successful development and translation of products from MADE and should not be seen as an endorsement of licensed and commercialized products. All license agreements were negotiated by VA’s Technology Transfer Program.

Multi-Purpose Arm Cycle Ergometer (M-PACE)

The MADE Program developed the M-PACE to help address deconditioning in Veterans with SCI recovering after a flap surgery. The system was designed to provide access to exercise in a fully supine position, as well as seated, reclined, and standing postures. This system has been licensed to Action Manufacturing and is now commercially available - https://actionmpace.com

Skin screening camera system

The MADE Program developed a skin screening camera system to help Veterans monitor and detect skin problems before they become late stage pressure injuries. This device may be useful for Veterans with SCI and Veterans with diabetes to help monitor their skin in hard to see areas that are at high risk for developing pressure injuries. This system has been licensed and is being commercialized as the Habit Camera - https://habitcamera.com/

Prosthesis for improved footwear options

The MADE Program is working collaboratively with UNYQ to develop and commercialize a modular prosthetic ankle system that quickly connects to a variety of 3D printed prosthetic feet. This approach should allow Veterans with amputations to use a much wider variety of footwear because the 3D printed feet can be customized to each pair of shoes (e.g., shoe length and width, heel height). The intellectual property developed by MADE has been licensed by UNYQ for this project.

Mobile manual standing wheelchair

The MADE Program is working collaboratively with LEVO to develop and commercialize a manual standing wheelchair that allows mobility in standing. The ability to be mobile in both sitting and standing postures may improve the utility of standing wheelchairs and improve participation and quality of life in Veterans with spinal cord injuries and disorders. LEVO has licensed the intellectual property developed by MADE for this product.

Prosthetic sock management tool

The MADE Program developed a prosthetic sock management tool help Veterans manage how they use their prosthetic socks with their prosthesis.

How to use you prosthetic socks

If you put on your prosthesis and your limb twists, shifts, or bottoms out or if your socket feels too loose and your limb hurts, you may want to don (or put on) some more thickness of prosthetic socks. Start by adding a thinner sock, like a 1 or 3 ply and if that isn’t enough, you can try adding more socks. Adjust the thickness of socks you are wearing until the fit is comfortable.

On the other hand, if you put on your prosthesis and the socket doesn't feel secure, you feel like you are “riding high”, or the socket feels too tight/squeezing, you may want to doff (or take off) some thickness of prosthetic socks. Adjust the thickness of socks you are wearing until the fit is comfortable.

Prosthetic sock tips

• Remember to take extra socks with you when you leave home, just in case you need to make these adjustments when you are away from home.
• Check your socket for fit and comfort throughout the day.
• Wash your prosthetic socks daily to keep them fresh and clean.

Accomplishments

Contact and location

Minneapolis Adaptive Design & Engineering Program
Minneapolis VA Health Care System
One Veterans Drive (Research – 151)
Minneapolis, MN 55417

Phone: 612-467-3538