Award-Winning ichó Therapy Ball: Medical‑Grade TPE for Cognitive & Motor Skill Enhancement

The ichó therapy ball, a joint creation of Hexpol TPE and Germany’s Icho Systems GmbH, has earned multiple awards for its innovative design and profound social impact. It offers a playful, engaging way to boost cognitive and motor skills in both children and adults, including those with dementia, autism, and other cognitive challenges.

Each ichó ball reacts to light, vibration, sound, or music, with responses that can be finely tuned to individual needs. Whether used in a home setting or a clinical environment, the device adapts its feedback to maximize therapeutic benefit.

The outer shell is an injection‑molded Mediprene TPE that delivers a soft‑touch feel and excellent light transmission. Mediprene’s proven resistance to common healthcare cleaning agents ensures the ball remains hygienic and safe for repeated use.

Because the ichó is a medical device, the material must meet stringent biocompatibility standards. Representative Mediprene TPEs have passed ISO 10993‑5 (cytotoxicity), ISO 10993‑10 (intracutaneous reactivity), ISO 10993‑11 (acute systemic toxicity), and USP Class VI. The latex‑free formulation further lowers the risk of allergic reactions, and tests confirm the material is a non‑sensitizer.

“Choosing Hexpol TPE was driven by both material excellence and exceptional service,” says Samantha Scharf, Marketing & Distribution at Icho Systems. “From our first conversation, Hexpol provided detailed insights into material options and rapid responses to follow‑up questions. Their expertise allowed us to keep the time from concept to production short while ensuring the product met medical‑grade requirements.”

Since its launch, the ichó therapy ball has garnered prestigious awards across Germany and Europe, recognizing its novel design, therapeutic efficacy, and positive social impact.