Ricoh 3D is thrilled to announce a win at the prestigious ideasUK ‘Idea of the Year 2024’ awards, in Cheshire last week.
The team received the distinguished Customer Focus award, which ideasUK states, “keeps customers in mind at all times – proactively addressing ‘pain points’ and needs.”
Co-Creation
The award was given in recognition of Ricoh 3D’s co-created Ankle CCD Lever Kit, developed in partnership with the Orthotic Research and Locomotor Assessment Unit (ORLAU) of The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital, NHS Foundation Trust.
The partnership, which celebrated the successful commercialisation of the device earlier this year – marks ORLAU’s first product to market in over 15 years!
Background
For a number of years, ORLAU has been supplying patients with a simple ankle contracture correction device (CCD), which applies a controlled stretch of the lower limb soft tissues, but these traditional devices can be difficult to ‘don and doff’ (donning refers to putting on, while doffing means taking off).
ORLAU required a more ergonomic CCD lever, which had to be a suitably usable accessory for the universal orthotic, in addition to being cost-effective, quick to manufacture and roll-out.
Solution
The award-winning device uses Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) technology and Nylon-12 material to create a lever integrated within the design. By allowing gradual application of stretching torque, the device fosters patient comfort and rehabilitation effectiveness.
Designed for long-term comfort, it supports patients (and carers) in managing rehabilitation whilst also leveraging 3D printing to maintain a low-cost, accessible solution for NHS Hospitals and other healthcare professionals, aligning with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, specifically SDG3 – Good Health and Wellbeing.
Access the full case study by clicking here.
Reflections
Richard Minifie, Senior Engineer and Medical Lead at Ricoh 3D, who accepted the award, shared:
“I’m incredibly proud to accept this award on behalf of both Ricoh 3D and ORLAU for Customer Focus. It’s a wonderful recognition of the hard work, dedication, and collaboration between our teams and involvement of patients too.
“Together, we’ve worked tirelessly on the development and launch of a device designed to improve health and wellbeing, and it’s fantastic to see both teams’ efforts acknowledged in this way.
“This award reflects the commitment, passion and continuous improvement culture that Ricoh 3D and ORLAU share in making a meaningful impact on improving patients’ health and wellbeing.”– Richard Minifie, Senior Engineer
Mark Dickin, Head of Additive Manufacturing, added:
“This award is a fantastic milestone for Ricoh 3D, aligning perfectly with our growth strategy within the medical sector.
“Our collaboration with ORLAU reflects our dedication to meaningful, patient-focused innovations and applications, supporting SDG3 – Good Health and Wellbeing. This journey has deepened our expertise and reinforced our approach to creating impactful healthcare solutions.”
– Mark Dickin, Head of Additive Manufacturing
Further Accolades
Ricoh UK Products Ltd (RPL) – The home of Ricoh 3D, was also announced as a winner in the People and Wellbeing category, and Jayne Garner, Continuous Improvement Engagement Coordinator, received an Honorary Fellowship from IdeasUK for her leadership in workplace innovation. Read more about these accolades on the RPL website by clicking here.
About ORLAU
The dedicated unit was established in 1975 by Gordon Rose, an orthopaedic surgeon, to provide assessments of mobility impairment and to develop engineering solutions for patients with disabilities.
Today ORLAU continues to:
- Assess children and adults with mobility problems by gait analysis
- Advise patients and referring clinicians on treatment options and strategies
- Deliver orthoses, mobility aids and walking devices for children and adults
- Train health professionals in the fields of movement analysis and rehabilitation engineering
- Research and develop engineering solutions for mobility impairment