Innovations



The TK System: In close collaboration with its industrial partners the AO Foundation constantly develops new operation techniques, implants and instruments under the medical guidance of independent surgeons. Responsible for the development and clinical testing of these devices as well as their educational concepts is an organization of medical-technical committees: the TK System. It consists of Specialty Technical Commissions and various Expert Groups in which around 120 surgeons work with the engineers on the solution of clinical problems.

AO Technical Commission​

The three Specialty AO Technical Commissions (AOTK), for Trauma, Spine, and CMF, are the governing bodies of their Specialty within the TK-System. The Specialty AOTKs propose to the TK Executive Board to appoint and dissolve Expert Groups, which provide expert opinion in the respective areas of specialty. The Specialty AOTKs support, guide, and supervise the work of their Expert Groups. The Specialty AOTKs are the only bodies empowered to approve a device (product) or method (technology) indicated for their specialty as a product, which may be advertised as a product approved by the AO Foundation. The approval procedure is defined by the TK Executive Board.
 
​​

TK Executive Board



The TK Executive Board (TKEB) is the steering and supervising board of the TK-System.

As in all boards of the AO Foundation, the independent surgeons ensure decision making according to clinical necessities.