PRODUCT LAUNCH COMING SOON
Our Journey
The Origin of Umpra
The Origin of Umpra: A Moment That Changed Everything
Umpra did not begin in a laboratory or a boardroom. It began at a patient’s bedside.
For more than two decades as a surgical practitioner, Dr. Baddam observed a pattern that no clinical protocol addressed: patients who had survived stroke, lived with arthritis, or were recovering from surgery could not perform the simplest act of daily self-care. They could not hold a toothbrush. The standard handle, unchanged in its fundamental design for generations, was engineered for hands that work. It offered nothing to hands that did not.
Dr. Baddam watched her patients struggle with the simplest daily routines which included brushing their teeth, holding a spoon, gripping a pen, not because they lacked the will, but because was designed for their hands. So, she built something that was.
That single observation- one patient, one toothbrush, one moment of visible helplessness, set in motion a journey of prototyping, research, patent filing, business education, and clinical validation that became Umpra.
From Play-Doh to Patent: The Prototyping Journey
Dr. Baddam's design process was deliberately low-tech. She began by working with Play-Doh at her desk, shaping forms by hand to understand what felt natural in the palm and fingers. This tactile, process allowed rapid exploration of size, curvature, and grip geometry. But the direction of that process was shaped by collaboration.
Uma, co-founder of Umpra, brought her own years of hands-on experience working with elderly patients navigating grip loss and limited dexterity.
The two women combined what they each knew - Dr. Baddam's surgical perspective and clinical observations, Uma's experience walking alongside elderly patients in their daily lives - and committed to the sphere. Once the basic form was established, Dr. Baddam brought in a 3-D printer to produce repeatable prototypes, enabling precise testing of internal channels, surface textures, and material density.
Some versions were too rigid, others too flexible, but each iteration clarified the balance needed between stability and comfort. The breakthrough came when a patient brushed independently using an early printed prototype. That moment confirmed the design was solving the right problem.
The resulting device is a soft-shell spherical grip with fingertip indentations aligned to natural hand positioning. Its geometry distributes force evenly across the full palm - the same intuitive comfort of holding a tennis ball - while an internal locking channel secures a standard toothbrush handle without adhesives or fasteners. It is reusable, dishwasher-safe, and compatible with any standard manual toothbrush. It is, in the truest sense, the product of two practitioners who had both spent years watching people struggle with something the world had decided was simple.
CORE BENEFITS
Designed For Comfort
The Smart ORB
Umpra exists because daily self-care should not require able hands to accomplish. For the millions living with stroke, arthritis, Parkinson's, or recovering from surgery, the standard toothbrush handle is not a neutral object — it is a barrier.
We set out to remove that barrier with a device grounded in clinical observation, shaped by hands-on patient experience, and refined through rigorous prototyping. The result is an adaptive grip that returns independence to the people who deserve it most.
Umpra is currently in pre-launch. We welcome inquiries from clinicians, occupational therapists, and care organizations interested in early access.
Let's build something together.
We are actively seeking partnerships with clinical practices, occupational therapy networks, and care communities. Reach out to learn more or to be notified at launch.
Medical Disclaimer: The information provided on this website is for educational purposes only and is not intended to substitute for professional medical or dental advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified dental professional or physician with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or before starting any new routine for your family.
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