Abstract:
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OAKO (Orthosis after knee joint operation) team accepted the challenge of helping MDH Company to make a project that consists of creating a new orthosis after knee-joint operation. The company will be able to open their own production line of this product in the future when the orthosis is complete.
The main challenge for OAKO was to find a new global design by doing this project in an innovative way. After some research, the team found out that most of the orthosis after knee-joint operation have problems with the ergonomics and are mainly designed with Velcro attaching systems, which is experienced as a negative aspect of the product. In order to improve the product, the team has put a lot of effort on finding a way to eliminate the Velcro and succeeded by finding a different way to attach the product via magnets and basic belts.
Furthermore, as “being innovative’’ was the main guideline, the team found innovative fabrics with skin care (3D fabric and polyamide textile adapted for sport activity instead of unbreathable material) and designed an ergonomic shape which is completely innovative in the world of orthosis. After brainstorming, meeting with specialist, research and questionnaire results explanation, the team understood that the most important part of the orthosis is the joint of the frame (adjustable locking hinge), that is the reason why the team think about using silicon pads on this parts, which will help to reduce the pressure problems and deliver a better user experience. Also this option is totally universal as it embraces the knee form.
The OAKO orthosis after knee-joint is not ready to be out on the market right now as the product is still in the prototype stage. Moreover, MDH already has a selection of fabrics, plus the exact shape due to 2D modeling. Also, MDH now has knowledge about attaching the product through magnet locks though bands which enable to replace the Velcro and they are aware that using silicon pads in the knee joint area is definitely a good idea. All this is thanks to OAKO team’s research and product development.
The prototype uses materials from a Polish company (fabrics from Lodz) and German buckles. OAKO hopes that for future those companies will collaborate together in order to keep the quality of the prototype.
Nowadays, the cost of production per product is around 60€. Finally, as the hypothesis says, everything depends on the global amount of charges of MDH, if the MDH charge can be cut down by two times the cost of production. The OAKO orthosis after knee-joint operation will be around 40€ per unit. |