Body in motion: production of affordable bionic prostheses to be launched in Russia
This year, Russia plans to start manufacturing bionic prostheses designed using the digital body remodeling method. By the end of 2026, the developers intend to produce about 300 products, including an elbow module, a female prosthetic leg designed specifically for wearing heeled shoes, and a bionic prosthetic hand for a motorcycle racer. Unlike standard modular prostheses, which are assembled from basic components, bionic prostheses are designed individually. The patient chooses the shape, decorative elements, color and volume of the product. As promised by the creators, the Russian development will be cheaper than its German and American counterparts. How the novelties work and how they will affect the rehabilitation of patients are described in the Izvestia article.
Prosthetic heel and brush for motorcycle racer
Russia will launch the production of new prostheses that are created from scratch, taking into account the needs of the patient: his anatomical proportions, lifestyle and aesthetic preferences. This was reported to Izvestia by the St. Petersburg company Bionics 2.0.
The developers used an innovative approach — digital body remodeling, said Anton Kruglov, the company's executive director, orthopedic traumatologist. This will allow the customer to see in advance, even before manufacturing— how the product will look.
The starting point for the development of the method was the story of one patient. Tatiana survived an interscapular-thoracic amputation (amputation of the arm with the removal of the scapula and a significant part of the collarbone. — Izvestia). The standard modules didn't suit her, but she really wanted to feel feminine and confident again.
"The shoulder and elbow joints, wrist and hand were developed from scratch for the project," the company said. — The prosthesis also performs a supporting function, allowing the patient to practice yoga. At Tatiana's request, the product received a futuristic and robotic design. Now she shares photos from photo shoots on social networks.
The company presented other developments at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF). Among them is a women's designer lower leg prosthesis designed specifically for wearing high—heeled shoes, as well as a bionic prosthetic hand for a motorcycle racer.
"It supports bioelectric control, has eight grip options, and each finger is equipped with a separate electric motor," the company said.
When will production start?
The body is being remodeled by development engineers, Anton Kruglov explained, which makes it possible to obtain solutions for the manufacture of models for a specific patient, which can then be applied en masse.
— For example, the elbow is built on a modular platform. It can be used for different types of products: cosmetic shoulder prosthesis, working, traction (controlled by muscle movement. — Izvestia) or shoulder prosthesis with microprocessor control (bionic. — "Izvestia"), — he declared.
Production is planned to start in the near future: by the end of 2026, the developer intends to produce about 300 products.
— In the future, we will evaluate the market reaction based on marketing research, — said Anton Kruglov. — Our development should become cheaper than its German and American counterparts.
In 2025, Izvestia reported how six people on prosthetic legs climbed Elbrus for the first time in history to a height of 5,642 m. The group consisted of veterans of their military. They underwent diverse physical and psychological training, as well as individual fitting of prosthetics. One of the participants, Alexander, thanked the prosthetics center of the St. Petersburg company for the fact that the specialists adapted the prostheses and made non-standard, convenient climbing sleeves.
Will rehabilitation accelerate
The new approach, in which a prosthesis is created for a specific patient, taking into account his parameters, level of motor activity, profession and habits, "hits" precisely those factors that determine clinical success, an orthopedic traumatologist, an assistant at the Department of Pediatric Surgery named after Academician Yu.F. Isakov at the Institute of Motherhood and Childhood of Pirogov University, told Izvestia. Andrey Semenov.
— The most common reasons for rejecting a prosthesis are inconvenience in use, weight and inconsistency of the stump and sleeve (the element of the prosthesis that is put on the stump of the limb. — "Izvestia"), — the doctor noted. — Even modern models are rejected by 44% of patients, with discomfort (about 61% of people) and the severity of the device (about 52%) remaining the main complaints.
According to him, designing a product for specific tasks — whether it's work, sports, or everyday activities — increases the chance that the device will fit into life rather than stay in the closet.
"Individual prosthetics will really help speed up rehabilitation," the expert believes. — However, there are limitations to the approach. The stump is a living tissue, its volume changes over time and even during the day, which causes pressure mismatch, skin problems and fit. Therefore, it is reasonable to introduce elements of adjustment and adaptability.
The loss of a limb is a serious mental test. A person may face shock, denial of what happened, depressive feelings and anxiety due to a possible negative assessment from others, said Evgeny Shcheglov, a clinical psychologist and specialist at the Alter psychological platform.
— The patient has to adapt to new life circumstances, — the expert noted. — The better the prosthesis matches the characteristics of his body, lifestyle and aesthetic preferences, the easier it is to accept it and get used to it. This increases self-confidence and makes it easier to return to the usual social activities.
It is also important that a person begins to perceive the prosthesis not as a reminder of loss, but as a tool for restoring opportunities and independence, the psychologist noted.
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