The Valencian company EMO  (Orthopedic Medical Specialties) is convinced that integrating the user as the center of innovation is the most appropriate strategy to provide value in the orthopedics sector.

For this reason, EMO and IBV are collaborating in the development of new orthopedic product concepts using user-centered-design methodologies.

 The first phase of this process has consisted in the co-creation of orthotic concepts that overcome the limitations of current products taking into account the views of all the professionals involved in the value chain. Specifically, the target populations have been identified, the main limitations of the available products and the key elements that should overcome these limitations. As a result of this work, we have co-created several orthosis concepts that in the following phases will be developed through new user-centered-design tools.

To achieve this objective, orthopedic surgeons, rehabilitative physicians, physiotherapists, designers, engineers and user-centered design experts from the following entities have participated: EMO, IBV, UMIVALE, Hospital Clinico, La Ribera University Hospital, Casa de la Salud Hospital, Atenea Clinics, ICM Clinic and COS Orthopedics.

In the next phases, users of the target products will participate to gather key information that will allow finalizing the product concepts and start with the design in detail.