Researching New O&P Pathways

Anyone can adopt new technology—but not everyone can actively partner in its creation. Snell Prosthetics & Orthotics (SPO) is proud to have earned the trust of respected O&P industry leaders, energetic innovators, and academic visionaries who brainstorm better, brighter ideas. That trust continues to make it possible for us to support the development of state-of-the-art solutions that enable, empower, and change lives.

As a preferred beta test site, SPO serves as a proving ground for new prosthetic and orthotic technologies during their final development. Beta testing offers an opportunity for real users of O&P components and devices to “test drive” new products under careful supervision, in order to detect any quirks or anomalies that should be addressed—it affords an independent third-party evaluation before the product is released to the public. Tests of this nature can’t be conducted in a lab, or within a staged environment; human responses provide the true litmus test, developers agree:

“The human element is absolutely needed,” says Greg Schneider, CP, R&D Prosthetist, Ottobock, “–and this is where we rely on companies like Snell P&O to help us identify suitable patients to test with during product development and to help us by giving their valuable feedback on the usability of the device from a prosthetist’s perspective—and to confirm, most importantly, that the device functions in a way that provides maximum benefit to the patient.”

RESEARCH HISTORY

Snell’s history of involvement and active support of research and development projects spans more than five decades and includes:

  • an above-knee socket design utilizing CADCAM software and software programs
  • a prosthetic shape capturing and modification component known as the T-Ring™
  • a multiaxial K2 prosthetic foot-ankle
  • patient trials and education involving protocol development for a new microprocessor knee
  • a myoelectric hook terminal device
  • a K3 hydraulic foot-ankle component
  • testing and development of electronic medical software
  • 3-D printed sockets for transtibial patients
  • fabrication, fitting, and testing of new socket materials and techniques
  • and more to come…
Testimonials

What our beta testing partners say about Snell Prosthetics & Orthotics

Into The Future

“I don’t need a crystal ball to show me that the path to O&P’s innovative future looks very promising!”

  • an above-knee socket design utilizing CADCAM software and software programs
  • a prosthetic shape capturing and modification component known as the T-Ring™
  • a multiaxial K2 prosthetic foot-ankle
  • patient trials and education involving protocol development for a new microprocessor knee
  • a myoelectric hook terminal device
  • a K3 hydraulic foot-ankle component
  • testing and development of electronic medical software
  • 3-D printed sockets for transtibial patients
  • fabrication, fitting, and testing of new socket materials and techniques
  • and more to come…