Telford, UK – May 20, 2024

Ricoh 3D is proud to announce its collaboration with the Orthotic Research & Locomotor Assessment Unit (ORLAU) at The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital, NHS Foundation Trust.

Since 2017, this partnership has focussed on innovative solutions to support the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals – specifically, SDG3 – Good Health and Wellbeing, culminating in the TCT award-winning Knee Alignment Device (KAD) and the new Ankle Contracture Correction Device (CCD) Lever Kit.

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

In the last few years, Ricoh 3D has collaborated with ORLAU to develop a lever-hinge mechanism for ankle-foot orthotics. In short, the 3D printed lever has made it much easier for patients to put on and take off their orthotic (otherwise known as ‘donning’ and ‘doffing’). 

The CCD Lever Kit, now in full production – ORLAU’s first product to market in over 15 years – revolutionises ankle-foot orthotics by simplifying the donning and doffing process for patients. Extensive testing has confirmed its efficacy, and it is now available to trained orthotists and medical professionals across the UK, both within the public and private sectors.

To support this launch, Ricoh 3D and ORLAU will host a specialist training course on May 22, 2024, at Ricoh UK Products Ltd., in Telford. This course will educate orthotists on the setup, assembly, and application of the CCD Lever Kit, as well as ‘best practice’ tips from Keith Miller, Senior Rehabilitation Engineer (ORLAU), who has been integral to the partnership since its formation.

Keith Miller commented: “With this cost-effective method and innovative solution, we hope orthotists around the UK are now able to easily purchase a kit of parts that can be applied to an orthotic shell to create a simple ankle stretching device.“

Ricoh 3D Senior Engineer, Richard Minifie, who is leading Ricoh 3D’s medical strategy said: “This latest project undoubtedly strengthens our partnership with ORLAU and the RJAH NHS Foundation Trust, and we hope to unlock further avenues to support the NHS and medical sector as a whole, to change people’s lives for the better.

“The work we do in the medical sector supports RICOH’s global commitment to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in this instance, SDG3 – Good Health and Wellbeing.

“I’m delighted that we have helped ORLAU bring this product to market – their first for over 15 years! But none of this would have been possible without wider support across Ricoh UK Products Ltd… It has been a multi-departmental project, pioneering our teamwork, innovation and winning spirit.

“A huge thank you to all involved. This is only just the beginning…”

For more information on the Ankle CCD Lever Kit, training courses, or to make a purchase, please contact Ricoh 3D at [email protected] or visit: https://rapidfab.ricoh-europe.com/industries/medical-manufacturing/orlau-ankle-ccd-lever-kit/

To access the Ankle CCD Lever Kit case study: https://rapidfab.ricoh-europe.com/resources/3d-print-experience-case-studies/ankle-ccd-lever-developed-by-ricoh-3d-x-orlau/

About Ricoh 3D:

Harnessing RICOH’s global manufacturing and innovation expertise, Ricoh 3D empowers its customers through 3D printing and bespoke end-to-end additive manufacturing (AM) solutions, to create added value.

This is enabled through knowledge-sharing, co-creation activities and bespoke service provision.

Based at Ricoh UK Products Ltd, Ricoh 3D offers a suite of services, technologies and materials, and through strategic collaborations and partnerships, transforms business processes and delivers customer-centric solutions, helping organisations become more agile, productive and profitable, whilst contributing to a sustainable future.

Ricoh 3D supports RICOH’s global mission-vision; to empower individuals to find Fulfilment through Work by understanding and transforming how people work so we can unleash their potential and creativity to realise a sustainable future.

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