UTEP Working On Artificial Limb Research

 The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) has joined forces with LIMBS International – a leading international nonprofit organization providing ultra low-cost prosthetics around the world – to provide new research and education opportunities for students.

“Our research relationship with LIMBS has tremendous benefits for both organizations, but especially for our students and faculty,” said UTEP President Diana Natalicio. “We will engage in research projects that will help provide sustainable solutions for amputees and address other needs in developing countries. There will be numerous opportunities for students and faculty to make significant advancements in a variety of fields.”

“We are proud to be working in collaboration with UTEP to make significant strides in addressing the problems for amputees in the developing world,” said Roger Gonzalez, Ph.D., LIMBS president and founder. “LIMBS has the proven distribution network to facilitate the research and education benefits this partnership provides.”

The flagship innovation for the nonprofit group is the LIMBS Knee. It is the only modular prosthetic knee in the world that meets all international standards and can be maintained and repaired locally in the developing world. It can be made using simple tools for less than $100, far cheaper than first-world knees, which can cost thousands of dollars.

“We believe LIMBS’ presence here will continue UTEP’s long history of academic and research excellence,” said Richard Schoephoerster, Ph.D., dean of UTEP’s College of Engineering. “We are excited to see how our students can help LIMBS achieve its mission to help amputees in developing countries through sustainable technological solutions.”