By Shane Rachel del Rosario
Filipino innovators are offering life-changing solutions for individuals who once thought their dreams of mobility and leading fulfilling lives were out of reach. At the Consumer Electronics Show (2025), home-grown technologies are revolutionizing healthcare accessibility, bringing affordable and accessible prosthetics and medical support for all.
Nanocomposite Filaments for 3D Printed Prosthetics (Additive Manufacturing)
According to the University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center, 8 out of 10 or 80 percent of Filipino amputees do not have prosthetic limbs. Engr. Marianito Margarito and the Department of Science and Technology - Industrial Technology Development Institute (DOST-ITDI) hopes to lessen this number and empower amputees to lead more productive and fulfilling lives through their nanocomposite filaments for additive manufacturing in 3D printed prosthetics.
Their innovation uses local materials and additive manufacturing which improves comfort and appearance for prosthetics. This also reduces the cost and enables prosthetics to be produced virtually anywhere.
Making prosthetics takes time and produces a large amount of waste which cannot be recycled or reused. Engineer Margarito explained that their technology could help achieve a more sustainable and efficient production process.
Through this innovation, Engineer Margarito and his team envisions a future where amputees could lead limitless lives.
“Using a common and low cost 3D printing technology, we could make the 3D printed prosthetics readily available virtually anywhere in the country which could benefit a lot of amputees, make them more confident of themselves and blend again with the society so that they could explore more their potential,” he quoted.
They also aim to make prosthetics more accessible to underserved areas in the Philippines, while also benefiting the younger generations.
“By lowering the cost of the prosthetics and high degree of customization, affected kids can have their prosthetics easily replaced when they grow up. Furthermore, [in] remote areas and considering the archipelagic nature of the Philippines, this technology can easily reach these areas with ease,” Engineer Margarito narrated.
Automated Portable Robotic Orthosis (APRO) Glove
The journey to recovery for stroke patients is becoming more efficient and sustainable through Engineer Voltaire Dupo and the DOST-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development’s (PCHRD) Automated Portable Robotic Orthosis (APRO) glove.
Stroke ranks as the second leading cause of death in the Philippines, and more than 500,000 Filipinos yearly are at risk of contracting this disease. With the rising costs of healthcare and the limited number of facilities in the country, access to medical care becomes a privilege.
Engineer Dupo believes that APRO could “set possible direction changes to help facilitate easier access to healthcare for rehabilitation of stroke survivors.”
Ischemic stroke severely affects a person’s ability to care for themselves using their own arms and hands, thus being recommended to receive at least one hour or more sessions of rehabilitation. APRO, through its Bowden Cable Actuated Glove and electric motor-driven design, enables ischemic stroke patients to experience precise and smooth rehabilitation through natural hand movements.
APRO introduces the possibility of in-home rehabilitation while enabling real-time collaboration between patients and their doctors. It gathers data during each session, allowing physicians to create personalized therapy plans.
With these promising features, Engineer Dupo aims to field APRO in community health centers, hospitals, and for domestic use in the future, allowing patients to achieve an improved quality of life after suffering from ischemic stroke.
Bridging healthcare gaps at CES 2025
They will join other Filipino delegates and DOST-assisted technologies at CES 2025 in January 7-11 at Las Vegas, Nevada, the largest tech show in the world. For Engineer Dupo, participating in events like these enables the Philippines to show that its innovation scene can be at par with other countries.
Engineer Margarito expressed his gratitude to DOST-TAPI for its support in commercializing their technology and in supporting their participation in the said exhibition.
Funding of DOST-TAPI for participation in international invention expositions opens up a new opportunity for further development, collaboration and commercialization. Matching with possible users or angel investors can further explore the potential of these inventions in the market.
Engineer Marianito Margarito, DOST-ITDI
Achieving a ‘healthy’ and inclusive future
Filipino ingenuity and the nation’s spirit of ‘bayanihan’ are inseparable. At its core, these home-grown inventions send a message that the future of science and technology is not just about creating groundbreaking innovations, but about developing technologies that restore dignity and hope for those who need it the most. Indeed, a healthy and inclusive future for all is within reach, and the Philippines is set to take part in it.
Step into the future with us at CES 2025! Join us at Booth 40123 in South Hall 3 of the Las Vegas Convention Center from January 7 to 10, 2025.
Consumer Technology Association (CTA) - The CES is organized by the Consumer Technology Association, which is a well-known and reputable organization in the tech industry. Being associated with CTA adds credibility to the press release as it shows that the event is organized by a respected entity.
Department of Science and Technology (DOST) - The DOST is leading the delegation to showcase Filipino innovations at CES 2025. Their involvement adds credibility to the press release as it demonstrates government support and endorsement of the technologies being presented** This article is part of the "PhilippiNOW: Philippines’ New Opportunities, Worldwide" campaign for the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2025.
Department of Science and Technology (DOST) - The DOST is leading the delegation to showcase Filipino innovations at CES 2025. Their involvement adds credibility to the press release as it demonstrates government support and endorsement of the technologies being presented** This article is part of the "PhilippiNOW: Philippines’ New Opportunities, Worldwide" campaign for the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2025.
**For more information and event updates, please visit the DOST-TAPI website at www.tapi.dost.gov.ph. For public relations and marketing inquiries, please contact Micah Magaro at m.magaro@tapi.dost.gov.ph.**