Heatleaf
Innovation for amputees: Developing wearable devices to improve lives
The challenge
People who have suffered an amputation can often experience discomfort due to a lack of circulation. The resulting cold that’s felt by the amputee can be severe and debilitating, so much so that it’s been attributed as a possible cause of phantom limb syndrome.
But with the support of CPI, Heatleaf is working on a solution that can alleviate this discomfort and offer valuable pain relief to amputees.
Unlike current solutions, which are bulky and uncomfortable, Heatleaf is developing a wearable device designed for everyday use. Easy-to-maintain and comfortable to wear, it’s an innovation that can deliver real change to the lives of millions of amputees.
![](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/Heatleaf-4.jpeg?w=1920&h=1080&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1725617155&s=5ff302de7f9c3931f0778e6507b6d737 1920w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/Heatleaf-4.jpeg?w=1120&h=630&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1725617155&s=2dc6319b6dddd175399ef37ed8429713 1120w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/Heatleaf-4.jpeg?w=2240&h=1260&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1725617155&s=eb11102522b9c1f557d1998de9fb2a0c 2240w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/Heatleaf-4.jpeg?w=800&h=450&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1725617155&s=6076d883ad0bea4997ba46be4ddcde58 800w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/Heatleaf-4.jpeg?w=1600&h=900&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1725617155&s=e39eb96f3a199a1aa9de57d356107846 1600w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/Heatleaf-4.jpeg?w=480&h=270&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1725617155&s=f1f2970ee2603f3d9ab0178e5602aa6e 480w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/Heatleaf-4.jpeg?w=960&h=540&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1725617155&s=f08b45a50151f6621d4feb45b84d3be7 960w)
“As an amputee myself, I have first-hand experience of the issues that Heatleaf is trying to address. With the invaluable help of CPI, we’re working to create a device that will have a tangible impact on people’s lives. This is innovation that’s designed to address a genuine need, bringing relief to millions of people in the process.”
![Joanna Newton Joanna Newton](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/Joanna-Newton.png?w=100&h=100&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1725618759&s=e60f57db515c0bb57297a09749aaa302)
How CPI helped
- Organised workshops, bringing together design, electronic and software engineers to refine the device’s design to ensure it met specific use-case scenarios and prosthetic integration requirements.
- Developed prototypes, including the design and fabrication of a heater array, encapsulated control electronics and a 3D-printed limb model for device testing.
- Explored and tested various heating elements and control unit designs, ultimately contributing to the selection of the most suitable technologies for the product.
![](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/Heatleaf-3.jpeg?w=1920&h=1080&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1715605700&s=b92c1b9e11fe5a16b16436b7364fb14b 1920w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/Heatleaf-3.jpeg?w=1120&h=630&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1715605700&s=1b7676d33b46064e7a20c45a0f885581 1120w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/Heatleaf-3.jpeg?w=2240&h=1260&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1715605700&s=fa67083dfc56b617de3663e9278dccb9 2240w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/Heatleaf-3.jpeg?w=800&h=450&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1715605700&s=7ce6e2e28de8d7e51773f880cab9c9e7 800w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/Heatleaf-3.jpeg?w=1600&h=900&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1715605700&s=97fb7f1e1c563ef639ba4714cf3aabc7 1600w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/Heatleaf-3.jpeg?w=480&h=270&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1715605700&s=ec4a76115c93f656323946941c3f6b4b 480w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/Heatleaf-3.jpeg?w=960&h=540&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1715605700&s=e016ca1ae56998877b81923bdcb5c98a 960w)
Achievements
- Developed a highly effective heating solution that can be seamlessly integrated into existing prosthetic devices, improving wearer comfort in cold conditions.
- Created a closed-loop control system, enabling safe and power-efficient heating.
- Reached a significant milestone in improving the comfort levels of prosthetic users during colder weather, offering a new layer of personalisation and well-being.
- Successfully demonstrated the viability of a standalone heating system for prosthetics, generating interest among stakeholders and potential for future development and commercialisation.
Impact
Effective, easy-to-use, and above all, comfortable – Heatleaf is developing an innovative new device that’s been designed to specifically meet the needs of the people it aims to help. It has the potential to transform and improve the lives of people who suffer pain and discomfort following amputation.
The relationship with CPI has provided invaluable support that’s enabled Heatleaf to accelerate its journey from innovation to end product. It’s an example of the vital role that CPI plays in enabling transformative technologies to reach market faster, and ultimately deliver better treatment for patients.
Too many innovators are blocked by technical barriers that stop them from translating their ideas into reality, but Heatleaf’s success is testament to the impact that CPI’s expert support can have on scaling a product. Equipped with working prototypes and a roadmap for the future, today, the company is closer than ever to delivering real change to the lives of amputees.
Related
Technologies
![](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/Heatleaf-2.jpeg?w=1920&h=1080&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1725617153&s=f1924f754ff8f6a8debb5ebe2262cb4f 1920w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/Heatleaf-2.jpeg?w=1120&h=630&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1725617153&s=effd77df8479aaf5726f89a70788ad0f 1120w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/Heatleaf-2.jpeg?w=2240&h=1260&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1725617153&s=9b771388d55aa37436fd49da94c8f801 2240w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/Heatleaf-2.jpeg?w=800&h=450&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1725617153&s=6586fde7947f1f895558dddc64cfe40e 800w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/Heatleaf-2.jpeg?w=1600&h=900&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1725617153&s=0af1faa62807a7104b2612d77229d71f 1600w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/Heatleaf-2.jpeg?w=480&h=270&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1725617153&s=f5e3834eb9de2f54207ec466c384bd04 480w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/smart-hoopoe/production/content/images/Heatleaf-2.jpeg?w=960&h=540&q=45&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1725617153&s=46db4370a58eb28612543f0637e5a25e 960w)