That’s a life changer: Halifax company wins award for bionic knee brace

Chris Cowper-Smith CEO of Spring Loaded Technology Inc. holds a knee brace in the production area of the firm’s Burnside location. Photo Jeff Harper/Metro

Those struggling with mobility issues could soon have the technology of “wee little jets” made in Nova Scotia powering their legs.

By Haley Ryan, Metro June 22, 2015

On Monday, Spring Loaded Technology received this year’s Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) Young Entrepreneur Award for its production of the world’s first bionic knee brace, which landed $100,000 for the Halifax company.

Ten entrepreneurs across the country competed for the award.

“We love each other; the work is all very exciting for us,” co-founder and chief technology officer Bob Garrish said Monday afternoon.

While Garrish said he and co-founder Chris Cowper-Smith are happy and grateful for the extra funding, which means they can now produce eight to 10 braces a day with their new system at a more affordable price, they try and keep their emotions detached from day-to-day business events.

They’ve been working on the brace for nearly three years, Garrish said, and while it’s been a long and time-consuming process, the prospect of changing someone’s life keeps them going.

Unlike most braces, which just keep the leg straight, Garrish said with bionic brace you could only have one functioning quadricep and be able to bend down to tie your shoes, or walk down stairs, since it protects an injury or weakness while allowing full movement.

‘Bionic’ knee brace takes weight off knees The Toronto Star