Woodbridge's Idris develops inventions that improve amputees' quality of life

2016 Jul 26

The goal of any new business is to one day turn a profit, but Amira Idris' concept was born out of a desire to help others.

Idris, a recent University of Delaware graduate from Woobridge, Va., is in the process of launching Vibrating Therapeutic Apparel, which began as an idea during an undergraduate biomedical engineering course called Clinical Immersion Experience. As part of the course, she spent time shadowing medical professionals caring for people with amputated limbs.

One patient in particular, who was distraught and in pain, touched Idris' heart. It was then she decided to find a way to ease the pain that amputees experience.

Specifically, Idris' business concept seeks to help amputee patients manage what is referred to as "phantom pain." This pain, which patients feel at the amputation site, can be excruciating, hinder mobility and prevent sleep.

"Imagine a life with daily pain emanating from a limb that has been removed, and nightly pain that prevents sleep," Idris said. "You never escape the pain. I want to help people with these problems."

And so Idris' product integrates wearable technology with vibration technology to create a line of apparel that helps increase blood circulation and tissue activity in the body. This relieves pain during the day and enables sleep during the night.

Idris added that her technology allows patients to receive treatment for more hours of the day while reducing the amount of time they must spend in doctors' offices.

"They can wear it at home, reduce the cost of therapy and be comfortable all at the same time," said Idris, who earned her master of science degree in entrepreneurship and design and her bachelor's degree in biomedical engineering. "Currently we have two prototypes that have provisional patents. I'm now working on the third."

In 2015, Idris pitched her idea at two Horn Program pitch competitions. She won runner-up awards both times, taking home $750 at last year's Halloween Pitch Party.

Inspired by the others at the pitch competitions, Idris joined UD's Horn Program in Entrepreneurship and enrolled in its master's program. Now, she is working closely with the Summer Founders Program to turn her prototypes into marketable products.

The program, a 12-week long pre-accelerator used to validate members' novel business models, provides students with stipends while they work to develop their ventures.

Participants have weekly mentoring and educational sessions, progress meetings with philanthropic investors and access to free and discounted services at the Horn Program's Venture Development Center.

The Horn Program emphasizes experiential learning, evidence-based entrepreneurship and active engagement with entrepreneurs, business leaders and members of the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Idris said that being selected to participate in the Summer Founders Program has been one of the best opportunities that the Horn Program has provided her.

"I'm really passionate about what I do," she said. "It takes a lot of work, but I still love it."

Idris hopes to release her apparel to the public in the coming months.