Centrale Lyon ENISE: Tell us about the birth of the OSMI project?
OSMI: We met at a meeting to present the school's student entrepreneur program. We were already motivated by the idea of starting our own business. Subsequently, the idea of custom-made prostheses for animals was submitted by Michel Sauzet among the suggestions for entrepreneurial projects. He was facing a similar veterinary problem with his dog. The idea immediately made sense to us. We knew we wanted to work in biomechanics. So combining our knowledge with the aim of improving animal welfare seemed obvious to us, as a way of bringing our two passions together.
Centrale Lyon ENISE: How did the project come about?
OSMI : In 5th year, we chose the entrepreneurial path with the aim of developing this idea and imagining concrete solutions. To create tailor-made orthopedic devices for animals we turned to 3D printing.
We were mentored by Patrick Laurent, Professeur Agrégé, Thanks to him, we were able to take part in the Campus Création Competition, among other things. This pitch competition enabled us to test our entrepreneurial project and its potential. It showed that we had the means to make a difference and that we could transform this student project into a real professional project.
Centrale Lyon ENISE: What status did you benefit from?
OSMI: OSMI was our End-of-Study Project (PFE) then we continued in 2023 with the status of student entrepreneur via the Diplôme d'étudiant-entrepreneur (D2E)
Centrale Lyon ENISE: How has training at Centrale Lyon ENISE helped you?
OSMI: Our project fits perfectly with the knowledge we learned at school. Mechanical Engineering introduced us to biomechanics and its uses. Today, we use biomechanical studies to design our custom orthotics. On another front, Sensory Engineering taught us how to design solutions based on the needs of users, in our case animals. OSMI is therefore entirely in line with our engineering training.
Centrale Lyon ENISE: Can you tell us more about your company?
OSMI: We have devised a rapid, non-invasive manufacturing method to design fully customized, high-quality solutions, perfectly adapted to the specific orthopedic needs of each animal.
In practical terms, veterinarians call on us to help animals. After analyzing the animal's need and history based on veterinary documentation, we then work in two stages:
- Digital design of a bespoke brace
- 3D printing of the brace and then fitting / assembly
We have also come up with a digital scanning system, which could be handled either by us or directly by vets, depending on the case.
Centrale Lyon ENISE: It's early 2025, what's next?
OSMI: we're going to file the company's articles of association and continue to develop our project. We are well supported, by the school of course, but also by the Saint-Etienne Metropolis and CELSE.
Finally, we can give each other news of Fanchon, Michel Sauzet's dog. After several years, he is one of the first animals to benefit from the idea submitted by his master. He seems very satisfied!
Website: www.osmi-orthese.com
