Innovation
From basic research to product development and clinical validation, innovation is a key AO pillar, advancing our work to promote excellence in patient care and outcomes in trauma and musculoskeletal disorders.
At the core of the AO's innovations and approvals process is the AO Technical Commission. A key part of developing and bringing innovations to market, the AO Technical Commission is central to the AO landscape. In 2020, an extraordinary year due to global travel restrictions limiting on-site collaboration, it continued to play a crucial role in quality control and product development and acted as an essential link between AO clinical divisions, the other institutes, and the AO's global network.
More from the AO Technical Commission
AO Technical Commission meetings 2020
The AO Technical Commission (AO TC) maintained its momentum even against the backdrop of COVID-19 by employing digital technology to finalize development of several new projects. AO TC members generally met twice as many times in 2020 compared to the previous year and demonstrated the dedication and flexibility to drive projects forward through numerous videoconferences, time zones notwithstanding.
Industrial partners supported the effort by shipping the necessary materials, such as prototypes and bone models, to members in advance of meetings. Anatomy labs—fundamental to the AO ITC’s development—were organized on short notice by identifying regional solutions under the constraints of ever-changing travel restrictions. The AO Research Institute Davos (ARI) provided an environment in which to realize such labs, several of which were streamed in real time worldwide for those unable to join on-site. In one exceptional case, two wet labs—one in the United States and one in Europe—were conducted simultaneously with the moderating chairperson joining by videoconference.
| AO TC meetings | 2019 | 2020 |
| Europe | 28 | 11 |
| North America | 22 |
6 |
| Asia | 6 | 0 |
| Australia and Oceania | 1 | 0 |
| Videoconferences | 3 |
95 |
| Total | 60 | 112 |
Explore more of the achievements from the AO Technical Commission in 2020 below and here.
Meet the Experts
Despite COVID-19, excellence in innovation was on display in a live, interactive webinar in 2020.
Innovation Awards
The AO Technical Commission recognized outstanding achievements in development and innovation.
Smart Digital Solutions Task Force
The group published its first white paper, giving an overview of how digital solutions can match orthopedic trauma surgery needs.
"Innovation remains at the forefront in all the AO does to further its mission: finding solutions to clinical problems that meet patient treatment needs."
Robert McGuire, AO Foundation President