A Ukrainian soldier who lost his legs while clearing mines has found hope at the Superhumans Centre in Lviv, a facility dedicated to providing prosthetics and rehabilitation. Yevhen Pramonov was injured last December in Donetsk after stepping on a mine. He was evacuated under heavy fire and survived thanks to prompt first aid and subsequent treatment at the Superhumans Centre. Established after the Russian invasion, the center has become vital for both soldiers and civilians, specializing in prosthetics, mental health support, reconstructive surgery, and rehabilitation. To date, it has treated over 625 individuals and fitted 850 prosthetic limbs.
As reported by economictimes.indiatimes, Aether Biomedical, founded by two Indian innovators, has significantly contributed to this success by supplying advanced bionic arms. Founded by Dhruv Agrawal and Faith Jiwakhan, the company has provided 70 bionic arms to amputees at the center.
Aether Biomedical was born when Agrawal and Jiwakhan, medical students from New Delhi, met a man who lacked access to functional prosthetics. They developed a prototype for a bionic hand, named ‘Zeus,’ which is activated by the user’s muscle signals. “Our prosthetics use electrodes connected to the user’s muscles to transmit signals to an algorithm, which then translates those signals into precise movements,” explained Dhruv Agrawal.
These prosthetics are 3D printed, remotely configurable, and locally repairable, making them well-suited for Ukraine’s war-torn regions. Agrawal highlighted the high demand for prosthetics due to the ongoing conflict, stating, “Typically, bionic hands are fragile, break easily, and take a long time to repair. Our arm is the strongest in the world, with a gripping capacity of 35kg, damage-resistant fingers designed for daily use, and the ability to be repaired locally.”
Dr. Faith Jiwakhan noted, “We have developed a digital platform for the ‘Zeus’ hand that connects clinicians and patients through a cloud-based mobile app. This allows clinicians to remotely configure the prosthetic, monitor its usage, and make real-time adjustments.”
Yevhen Pramonov plans to return to the armed forces to deliver lectures after receiving his new bionic limbs.
The Superhumans Centre provides prosthetic limbs free of charge, funded by international organizations. The cost of these advanced prosthetics ranges from €9,000 to €50,000.