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Report

Teaser, summary, work performed and final results

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - Andiamo (A revolutionary new orthotics serviceâ€”consultation to delivery in less than a week.)

Teaser

Summary

The number of Europeans with paralysis, deformity or orthopaedic impairments that use orthotics will reach 9.6 million by the year 2020. Orthotics is a speciality involving the application of external devices to the body to support and improve posture, function and mobility, and manage pain and deformity. The majority of people requiring orthotics are over 50 years old; demand is expected to increase with the ageing population and the rising prevalence of obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and stroke, where foot complications and reduced mobility are commonplace.

Approaches to orthotics have not changed in over 50 years. The process takes up to 12 months, and requires technicians, physiotherapists, orthotists and manufacturers. Often, by the time patient receives their orthotic their condition has deteriorated or the orthotic no longer fits, resulting in ineffective treatment, repeat visits, poorer clinical outcomes, and higher risk of surgery.

Families all over Europe are being failed by this service. In order to tackle this challenge, we have developed a streamlined orthotic 3D scanning, design and printing service. Our orthotic service is the only service in the world capable of delivering an effective custom orthotic within 1 week of consultation. Our pathway is faster and more cost effective than traditional methods.

We use a multidisciplinary team, CAD and FEA to optimise design, add strength and flexibility and reduce unwanted movement, resulting in better patient reported outcomes and quality of life. Our key innovation is the overarching technology and software that links together the entire service pathway, from consultation to delivery in under a week.

Work performed

In order to tackle this challenge, we have developed a streamlined digital Industry 4.0 orthotic design and provision service.

The specific objectives of our Phase 1 study are included below:
1. Identify countries/areas where there is greatest need for our orthotic provision service
2. Identify stakeholders for whom our orthotic provision service will be of greatest benefit
3. Determine the regulatory and medical approval requirements for our orthotics and service pathway
4. Determine the route time to market and barriers to entry by pathway
5. Identification of technical and staff / developer requirements in order to automate our service
6. Create an elaborate business plan to define IP, operational, marketing and financial requirements

Final results

The specific results of our Phase 1 study are included below:
1. We carried out a market study to quantify the time and cost of orthotic provision across Europe. We identified specific countries for market entry as well as relevant performance requirements and cost factors.
2. For each target country identified (Objective 1), we engaged relevant partners and stakeholders in order to create a robust supply line for our product. We obtained a number of letters of support and partnership agreements.
3. We liaised with regulatory bodies and clinicians to establish the clinical evidence and ethical considerations required for technology uptake. We summarised regulatory requirements, actions and resources required.
4. We created an effective commercialisation strategy including viable routes to market, which systematically attacks our target segment markets.
5. We completed an in-depth scientific characterisation of commercial available limb capture hardware and software. We also determined the cost and time requirements for developing our own hardware / software and multi-tenancy platform.
6. We updated our existing business plan with all of the information from the feasibility study, including an IP and commercialisation strategy for market penetration.