A Herefordshire and Worcestershire-based product design agency has successfully collaborated with Blatchford, a leading prosthetic technology manufacturer, to develop Avior – an innovative microprocessor-controlled knee transforming mobility for amputees worldwide.
Blatchford approached the Simple Design Works team to tackle one of medical device development’s most complex challenges; creating a prosthetic knee that delivers natural movement while withstanding daily life’s rigorous demands. Simple Design Works is a strategic product design and innovation agency with studios in Worcester and Hereford, that works with ambitious businesses.
The project required balancing competing priorities – lightweight enough for comfortable wear yet durable enough for everyday activities, while meeting strict waterproof standards and maintaining precise internal mechanisms.
The local agency contributed specialist expertise including enclosure design, materials selection, user interface development and manufacturing strategy. Working within strict weight and space constraints, they ensured the device could withstand exposure to water, dust, impacts and any chemicals users may encounter.
The resulting Avior prosthetic features IP65-rated housing that protects electronics while maintaining a lightweight profile. Users benefit from up to 48 hours of operation with rapid charging and intelligent power-saving features. The polycentric design mimics human knee mechanics, providing smooth transitions between sitting and standing while adapting to different surfaces.
This successful partnership showcases the calibre of product development expertise available within the West Midlands business community. It perfectly demonstrates how local companies can contribute to global healthcare innovation, with the project serving as an example of how regional expertise can deliver breakthrough innovations that genuinely improve lives.