Leading medtech specialist Ottobock has acquired Romedis GmbH, an expert in hydrostatic casting techniques for prosthetic sockets. The company from Neubeuern (Germany) develops system solutions such as the Symphonie Aqua Polaris for manufacturing check sockets using a special curing process involving UV light. With this new addition to the O&P Business Solutions division, Ottobock offers an extra fitting solution to the traditional plaster cast.

“The Romedis solution helps O&P professionals use of their existing resources through efficient processes while ensuring a consistently high quality of care for their patients. At the same time, it has the potential to help people in growth markets or crisis areas where space and equipment are limited in some cases,” says Dr. Falk Berster, Vice President Business Solutions of Ottobock SE & Co. KGaA.

Andreas Radspieler, Executive Board member of Romedis GmbH: “We are delighted to have found Ottobock as the ideal partner to help us further develop and scale this technology. This enables us to make a lasting difference to the well-being of patients.”

The parties have agreed not to disclose the financial details of the transaction.

The heart of the technology of Romedis: Symphonie Aqua Polaris

The entire machine is just about the size of an industrial vacuum cleaner. Fibreglass stockings impregnated with synthetic resin are pulled over the patients’ residual lower leg. The Symphonie Aqua Polaris then uses hydrostatic pressure to record the exact anatomy of the residual limb, as well as its bone structures, pressure and pain points as well as soft and scar tissue. During this process, the material is cured using UV light. The whole process takes no more than ten minutes, meaning that a completely finished check socket can be produced within an hour.

The technologyalso integrates perfectly into Ottobock’s digital treatment process. Upon completion of the check socket with the TransferScan, a digital twin of it can be created and transferred to a final socket using 3D printing. The advantage of this is that patients can be treated without unnecessary waiting times.