Hipper offers support to rehabilitation patients after hip surgery
10-02-2023
A textbook example of the effect of practice-oriented research: from Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (AUAS) research project to a successful company
The innovative treatment protocol Hipper gives rehabilitators after hip surgery and their care providers insight into the progress of the rehabilitation in the living environment. With the establishment of the AUAS start-up Hipper Therapeutics BV, the healthcare sector can count on applications for more areas of application in the future in care. The ambition is to use the technology in rehabilitation programs for lung covid patients, after a stroke and in COPD patients, among other things. A success story about the effect of practice-oriented research.
Innovative treatment protocol
Hipper is an innovative treatment protocol in which coaching and sensor technology are used in rehabilitation programs after hip operations. It offers rehabilitators and care providers an objective insight into the progress of the rehabilitation in the living environment. This means that care providers can better guide and monitor the rehabilitation. With Hipper, recovery is faster and there are fewer relapses (and readmissions) of patients. Moreover, Hipper fits in seamlessly with the shortage on the labor market and the increasing aging population.
Background
Hipper and the establishment of the spin-off Hipper Therapeutics BV are the result of a research project by FDMCI – including from the Digital Life research group – and the Faculty of Health (FG), in collaboration with the Amsterdam University Medical Center (Amsterdam UMC >AMC). The Hipper product was created in collaboration with healthcare professionals and rehabilitators from various healthcare organizations for geriatric rehabilitation in North Holland. At an early stage (2013), they provided the practical question that formed the basis of the research question: how can care providers (physiotherapists and occupational therapists) gain insight into the progress of rehabilitation and stimulate it at home in the elderly after a hip fracture?
The trajectory
Students and researchers from the AUAS joined forces to come up with a solution to this problem. In projects within the DMCI Faculty, a system was developed to remotely monitor the exercise activities of the elderly. At the same time, a treatment protocol was developed at the Faculty of Health in which this data and activity registration could be used in the coaching of the target group.
In a practice-oriented study conducted by the Amsterdam UMC location AMC and the HvA, the effectiveness of this way of working was studied at the partner healthcare organizations. The results were positive: using Hipper, daily functioning was significantly better after six months than without Hipper. Based on these results, various healthcare organizations started investigating in pilots how they could integrate Hipper into rehabilitation programs and within their regular healthcare provision.
From research project to enterprise
Because of the effective results, the process to bring Hipper to the market was started. In collaboration with the HvA Minor in Entrepreneurship, the product was further developed and the foundation was laid for the future company. Convinced of the added value of the Hipper technology - a feasibility study showed that there is a place on the market for HipperTX - researchers Ben Kröse and Margriet Pol decided to start their own business.
The follow-up process in a nutshell: a business plan was drawn up with the help of IXA, an external business developer was recruited with a financial contribution from the HvA Impact Fund, a KIEM subsidy was awarded, NEN7150 certification was applied for and an accredited post-HBO course developed. In it, care providers learn how they can coach and motivate rehabilitation patients with Hipper to continue their rehabilitation process. In 2021, the first HvA spin-off, Hipper Therapeutics BV, was established with all partners involved and HvA Ventures Holding.
The team behind Hipper will further refine the method and technology by developing new applications for more application areas in healthcare. The ambition is to use Hipper technology in rehabilitation processes for, for example, lung covid patients, after a stroke and in COPD patients. There is still collaboration with the team of Amsterdam UMC>AMC.
Meet the team
- Prof. dr. Ben Krose CEO Hipper Therapeutics, Emeritus lector HvA, Emeritus Professor UvA
- Dr. Margriet Pol Director Training & Rehabilitation Hipper Therapeutics, associate professor of research at the Faculty of Health, associate professor of Technology and Participation at the Occupational Therapy-Participation and Environment Lectorate of the Center of Expertise Urban Vitality
- Dr. Michel Oey Director of Technology at Hipper Therapeutics, lecturer/researcher at the AUAS Digital Life lectorate
- Matthijs Alderliefste Privacy officer and marketing expert
Watch the video The impact story of the AUAS spin-off Hipper Therapeutics