AO's innovation funding
We put our researchers, surgeons, and independent industry experts to work for your idea, and we think beyond traditional boundaries.
The AO's four-step formula for success
Your idea for improving patient care or surgeon education should:
- Provide an innovative solution to a real clinical/educational problem
- Have the potential to be patent protected
- Be driven by your plan, passion, and determination to make it happen
- Be suitable to scale
We support you with funding and expertise to navigate the complex landscape of intellectual property protection, development and manufacturing, regulatory approval, building clinical evidence, and an exit strategy.
You gain access to a global network of 520,000 health care professionals in the musculoskeletal field.
Together, we can make an impact by improving patient care and surgeon education.
We share the labor and its yield, to the benefit of all.
Project Portfolio
Development Incubator
Focuses on product ideas to advance clinical innovations in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders.
Bio-ECM
Bio-ECM offers a safe and effective, treatment option for bone growth and bridging of bone defects.
Biphasic Plate
Improving fracture stabilization by providing a predictable mechanical environment at the fracture
Distal Radius Intramedullary Nail
(DRIM-Nail) for the fixation of extraarticular fractures
3D SIM
Sound-Wave Induced Morphogenesis (3D SIM) is poised to revolutionize tissue engineering
Small bone external fixator
Versatile and simple system for external fixation of fractures of fingers
Strategy Fund
Focuses on innovative ideas that strengthen the AO position in surgeon education, digitalization, pre-clinical and clinical research tools.
AI@AO
Leveraging artificial intelligence in two pilot projects, respectively with the University of Turin and
the University Hospital of Ulm
AO's Clinical Study Hub
Designed as one large prospective clinical project consisting of multiple ongoing sub-projects (trials)
Integrated navigation and robotics systems
Robot-assisted technology to revolutionize sacroiliac luxation/fracture reduction and fixation
DEHST
Digitally enhanced hands-on surgical training (DEHST). A new generation of hybrid surgical training tools
We believe that surrounding yourself with the right people makes all the difference in the world.
Let us introduce you to our multidisciplinary team of innovation mentors.
Technology Transfer Board
Strategy Fund Committee

Florian Gebhard
Chairperson

Jeffrey Wang

Travis Tollefson

Erik Asimus

Brett Crist
Latest innovation success stories
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Development Incubator
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Strategy Fund
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Development Incubator