Korean startup VNTC literally “has your back” with its spine correction devices

Spinal diseases are being diagnosed amongst more and more young adults. In South Korea, as per a report, there 21 % year-on-year increase in number of adolescents getting diagnosed with scoliosis, a type of abnormal curvature of the spine.

The standard treatment for early-stage scoliosis is keeping patients under observation, which may increase the risk factor of worsening the problem. A worse case of scoliosis may lead to surgery that may have harmful side effects. Korean startup VNTC is working towards resolving the problem of spinal diseases through digitizing the existing treatment methods and designing devices to support the spine.

A device that corrects spine issues comfortably

VNTC has designed a device that is effective in suppressing the progression of scoliosis. The startup’s Spinamic brace helps scoliosis patients by correcting posture rather than surgery. Its design helps in correcting the posture of scoliosis patients. Compared to those braces available in the market, Spinamic is fabric-based, lightweight, comfortable, inexpensive, and easier to wear with improved mobility.

The brace is designed with a patient diagnosis algorithm and manufactured in a highly personalized manner. The ergonomic design of the brace and the 3-point pressure system provides optimal pressure to generate maximum correction effect.

“There are no effective medical devices at the moment to treat early-stage scoliosis. However, there are devices to treat middle-stage scoliosis patients, such as Boston brace, Charleston brace, and Milwaukee braces. However, because they are too rigid, they cause serious side effects(i.e., a significant decrease in pulmonary function, rib cage fracture and psychological effect for having to wear them for 23 hours a day, etc.). Lastly, these braces greatly reduce patients’ quality of life. Therefore, it is important to effectively suppress the progression of scoliosis at an early stage. Our device not only suppresses the progression of scoliosis, but it is also designed to correct the curvature of the spine,” said Kyungsuk Roe CEO of VNTC, in a media statement.

Other products & activities

Besides Spinamic, the medical device manufacturing company has also launched a waist support belt – FitMove. It is ultra-lightweight sportswear in the form of a vest that combines fashion and healthcare in one product. FitMove also has a knee support band under the brand name for athletic activities. VNTC has also developed a digital therapy program for patients with spinal problems in collaboration with health professionals.

Established in 2016, VNTC is a Samsung Electronics C-lab spin-off. The startup was started with an aim to develop medical devices. The startup has won the 2018 Daegu Gyeongbuk Small Business of the Year Award, International Design Excellence Award, IF Design award, etc.

VNTC launched ‘Spinamic’, a scoliosis corrector, in October 2018, and has entered in collaboration with more than 20 domestic medical institutions and institutions in China, Japan, Hong Kong, and the Netherlands.

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