 |
The Value of Professional Clinical Feedback in Product Innovation and Evolution
By Robert “Bob” Radocy  We in the prosthetics industry are very
lucky--some could say "blessed"--to operate in a profession that
has both financial and altruistic rewards. Our profession attracts
health professionals, caregivers, and individuals of many other
disciplines, who in most cases seek rewards from their profession
that go well beyond a paycheck.
We are responsible for helping to rebuild people's lives. This
is a lofty challenge, and the successful outcomes that we
experience help many of us maintain our energy, focus, and
dedication.
Clinicians: Valuable Resource
In addition, we have within our profession a vast resource of
knowledge and experience that can be invaluable in helping to
develop and improve products. The doctors, therapists,
prosthetists, technicians, and other related healthcare providers
can be among the rehabilitation engineer's and medical product
manufacturer's most valuable assets. The folks in the trenches,
dealing with the challenges of day-to-day fittings, adjustments,
and training have a unique insight based upon practical, first-hand
physical experiences with products that designers and manufacturers
may lack. The manufacturers and designers need to pay attention,
remain open-minded, and, more importantly, nurture the exchange of
information and "feedback" with these professionals regarding our
product development efforts.
Feedback Evolves ADEPT Line
An excellent example of how these types of exchanges can lead to
improved products and innovation occurred in the last year within
the TRS Inc. team. Since its inception, TRS has utilized the
knowledge of consumer patients for product ideas. Prosthetists and,
in particular, therapists have provided important ideas on how to
improve our products and to help us discover new product niches.
The evolution of the ADEPT product line in the early 1980s was the
direct result of feedback from occupational therapists encouraging
TRS to develop the first-ever pediatric line of voluntary closing
prehensors.
Improving the ALPHA
 This spring at the Association of Children's
Prosthetic-Orthotic Clinics (ACPOC) conference, a discussion with
some clinic personnel friends ensued regarding our ALPHA Infant
Hand, which had been on the market about one year. The ALPHA was
conceived as an entry-level prosthetic aid for very young children.
It featured a thumb that was physically molded and attached to the
index and long finger, creating an elastic aperture that could be
used to teach the value of holding age-appropriate objects. The
ALPHA actually came with a pacifier accessory that snapped into the
opening created by the thumb. The product was embraced by a number
of clinics immediately and proved to be a valuable alternative to
some of the other product concepts available for this age group of
congenitally limb-deficient children.
 |
ALPHA Comparison #1 and ALPHA Comparison #2 illustrate the original ALPHA design (model on the left) and the revised ALPHA (model on the right). The new design allows for the grasping of a much wider range of objects, increasing its versatility. |
|
The feedback from our friends at the clinic was
that the ALPHA might have even greater versatility if the thumb was
released from the fingers, providing an opportunity to grasp a much
wider variety of objects. This suggestion would require a tooling
change, but after some more discussion and thought, TRS decided to
evaluate the idea further. We looked at the design and materials
along with the possible ramifications of such a change. Satisfied
that we could continue to manufacture a reliable, safe product, we
took on the challenge and revised the ALPHA's design.
The results of testing some clinical prototypes were very
positive, and the ALPHA has been formally revised into its new
configuration. Without that clinic's valuable feedback, the
manufacturer might not have explored and implemented this improved
product design.
Forums for Improving Products
Perhaps there is a lesson to be learned here that our profession
can capitalize on. Maybe on a regular basis at one of the national
prosthetic conferences, a forum for such product improvement and
innovation discussions can be created. Designers and manufacturers
can sit down with clinic personnel and open-mindedly brainstorm
about different technology. ACPOC as a group has fostered such
forums in the past at pre-conference workshops. Each workshop has
had a particular focus for discussion, such as upper-limb
prosthetics, lower-extremity prosthetics, etc. These appear to have
been useful. Maybe the American Academy of Orthotists &
Prosthetists or the American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association
(AOPA) can use this ACPOC workshop model as a concept for fostering
and encouraging even more interaction between various prosthetic
professionals.
ACPOC will be co-conferencing with the Academy in 2005. It will
be an excellent opportunity for a broad exchange of information
that could potentially lead to more "Innovation." I'll look forward
to seeing you there and listening to your suggestions.
Bob Radocy is president and CEO of TRS Inc., Boulder,
Colorado. He is a prosthetic component designer and upper-limb
amputee. He has been involved in the profession since 1979 and has
made numerous contributions in the areas of both prosthetic product
design and publications, including contributions to periodicals and
books. 
Table Of Contents - September 2004
|
|
