From Months to Minutes: How Swappable Cartridges Boost Uptime in Body-Powered Prosthetics
By Marins Inc.
The legacy problem: service means being without your device
Terminal devices often require shipping the entire unit for wear-part replacement. That can take weeks or months. For a tool you rely on daily, that lost time is costly. The Root3 Labs case study documents this challenge and why we prioritized a different path. Root3 Labs
The ProHensor approach: user-swappable cartridges
Wear-prone components were consolidated into a cartridge that a user can replace at home. The design includes a dedicated removal tool for one-handed operation. This turns a multi-week service cycle into a short, guided task and restores function almost immediately. Root3 Labs highlights this hot-swap concept as a central solution. Root3 Labs
Earlier Root3 Labs coverage of our project also notes quick swapping of consumable components while improving durability. Root3 Labs
Data to back the uptime
Bench cycling complements field use. Root3 Labs describes a protocol that simulates the life of a device in roughly 700 actuations. At about five seconds per cycle, that is around one hour for a high-confidence read on function and wear. These data help set maintenance expectations and support warranty decisions. Root3 Labs
What this means for clinics
- Fewer unplanned returns and loaners, which reduces administrative load.
- Planned maintenance windows, informed by cycle data, that support proactive follow-ups.
- Documented reliability that aligns with payor preferences for durable equipment with clear service pathways.
What this means for users
- Uptime measured in minutes, not months.
- One-handed maintenance that respects real-world constraints.
- Confidence that the device will lock, release, and perform as expected during work and daily life.