Research and Development

To obtain independent clinical evidence for product outcomes as well as health economic data, Össur initiates and promotes clinical studies in cooperation with leading scientists, institutions, and healthcare professionals in the field.

As part of our ambition to be at the forefront of innovation and new technology, Össur R&D participates in externally funded projects, collaborating with partners from industry and academia alike. We take part in various projects where world class scientists are involved in cutting edge research. This enables us to join forces in shaping the technology of the future with the mission of improving people's mobility.

Manufacturing and Quality

Össur maintains a strong global manufacturing function. At Össur, there is a continuous strive for efficiency, which includes finding ways to optimize the manufacturing process. Most of our products are manufactured in Iceland, Mexico and China. Manufacturing of advanced prosthetic solutions, including bionics, takes place in Iceland and Scotland. Manufacturing of most other prosthetics solutions, components and premium bracing solutions takes place in Mexico. Finally, Össur outsources the manufacturing of soft goods to China. In addition, Össur has smaller specialized manufacturing facilities in four locations in the US and one in France.

Great emphasis is placed on quality, and it is an intrinsic part of our processes. Össur has had a certified Quality Management system in place since 1993 which is based on ISO management standards and complies with the applicable medical device regulations in the countries that Össur operates in. Össur is certified to the global ISO 13485:2016 Medical Device Standard and the Medical Device Single Audit Program (MDSAP).

For the past years, multiple changes emphasizing safety have been implemented to the global regulatory framework for medical devices. We have successfully transformed our quality management system to ensure compliance with those changes emphasizing patient safety. Our extensive globally aligned quality management system is regularly audited by Össur’s notified body BSI.

Sales and Marketing

Össur operates within a highly specialized industry where the primary customers are specialized healthcare providers who provide and fit individuals with Össur products and solutions. In Prosthetics, these customers are O&P clinics and in Bracing & Supports, it is a combination of O&P clinics, hospitals, and surgery centers. In a few selected markets in Americas and EMEA, Össur operates its own O&P clinics.

Össur has operations in 36 countries and largely sells its products through its own direct sales network.

Prescribers, Providers and Payers

Prescribers include healthcare professionals who prescribe products and services based on the clinical indication of the end-users. These include orthopaedic surgeons, non-surgical physicians, rehabilitation and emergency physicians as well as other professionals providing medical diagnosis.

Össur’s customers are mostly the providers of products and service solutions to end-users. Providers are healthcare professionals who provide end-users with prosthetic and bracing & supports products, and related services. These include certified prosthetists and orthotists (CPOs) working at O&P clinics, durable medical equipment (DME) clinics, orthopaedic clinics, and hospitals. Many providers not only recommend specific products but also fit and tailor-make certain products. For non-reimbursed products, a provider can be a pharmacy or a sports store.

Payers include healthcare systems, insurance companies and individuals. In most cases, when an individual has been fitted with a product, Össur’s customers claim reimbursement from the relevant public institutions or private insurance companies. Around 90% of Össur’s product sales and services are estimated to be reimbursed by a third party. However, reimbursement systems vary substantially between countries. In other cases, the end-user of the products pays out-of-pocket for the solution provided. Overall, Össur’s sales in the Western world are mostly reimbursed while sales in emerging markets are mostly paid out-of-pocket.

Strong Intellectual Property Portfolio

Our IP portfolio consists of various types of IP rights, strategically developed, and registered to protect our products and technologies, as well as the Össur brand. At year-end 2022, the IP portfolio consisted of, inter alia, over 2,000 patents and patent applications and around 650 trademarks.

Prosthetics

To sustain a successful innovation level and improve people’s mobility, we utilize the vast knowledge and expertise accumulated over the years at Össur in diverse technology platforms. We are focused on functional trade-up which entails providing people with more advanced mobility solutions. The products that we introduce to the market are a result of our R&D processes and are deeply rooted in understanding and addressing the needs of people with limb loss and limb difference. In 2022, 10 prosthetic products were launched to the market.

Following the introduction of the new generation Power Knee™ in 2021, the bionic product was successfully launched in all major markets at the beginning of 2022 and continues to receive excellent feedback. This first motor powered prosthetic knee, is ideal for individuals seeking increased assistance from their prosthetic device and those who require better symmetry and more natural gait.

Our broad selection of waterproof products is another example of our efforts to enable people to utilize their prosthetic devices to the fullest in diverse types of environments. The use of first-rate materials such as carbon fiber, titanium and high-grade aluminum provides permanent protection against harmful ingress of water. Even after submersion in freshwater, salt water and chlorinated water, the parts maintain their integrity and continue to provide full support, function, and durability.

Two new waterproof prosthetic feet were launched into the Pro-Flex® family during the year: Pro-Flex® ST and Pro-Flex® Modular which are both designed for low to high active amputees.

Pro-Flex® ST provides a smooth rollover and controlled push off. Pro-Flex® Modular is a lightweight shank height adjustable prosthetic foot, minimizing the need for additional components between the socket and foot. Both feet make it easy for amputees to go through the full stride on different terrains due to its multifunctional design, combining dynamics and ground compliance.

We now have 20 waterproof prosthetic feet in our product portfolio along with a selection of adapters and locks.

The acquisition of Naked Prosthetics, a leading provider of durable, custom, and functional prostheses for finger and partial hand amputees, is a welcome addition to our product portfolio. It is complementary to our product range, and strengthens our upper limb product offering globally, allowing us to cater to a broader group of individuals.

Össur Legs

Making use of macro trends within healthcare and the O&P industry, we have identified an opportunity and pursued our Össur Legs strategy. Increased time and cost per patient due to regulatory and reimbursement obligations call for improved efficiencies, and a shortage of qualified prosthetists and technicians calls for optimizing workflows in O&P clinics. In addition, a new generation of CPOs is more focused on patient interaction and less on prosthetic fabrication which creates a demand for alternative solutions. Össur Legs is a service for O&P clinics where Össur offers complete prosthetic leg solutions, fabrication expertise, skilled design, a streamlined ordering process, and leg maintenance services. In essence, as Össur offers a complete portfolio of all the product components that are needed to assemble a full leg solution for patients, we can provide complete solutions as well as associated services to O&P clinics.

Over the last 100 years, a prosthetic leg has changed from being fully fabricated in the O&P clinic to being assembled from advanced product components such as the Pro-Flex® foot and the Power Knee™. Only the socket, the device that goes over the residual limb and joins it with the rest of the prosthesis, is still most often made in an O&P clinic. Creating a socket is traditionally done by taking measurements of the residual limb by scanning, or using plaster casting, and then fabricating the socket and adjusting it until it fits the patient. The process is both labor intensive and time consuming, while consistent results depend on the CPO's experience and craftsmanship. Also, due to the complexity of socket fabrication and lack of socket adjustability, some people with above knee limb loss may never receive a prosthesis. This is now beginning to change as more advanced technology and standard processes are adopted within O&P clinics.

Össur has developed a holistic product portfolio that can be configured and customized for a wide range of patients. We also offer a range of socket solutions, including new innovative solutions as well as traditional socket fabrication outsourcing. The Össur Direct Socket and Connect® TF products are designed to give more people the possibility to use a prosthesis. The Direct Socket offering enables CPOs to fabricate and fit patients with a high quality, good fitting socket in one session. While not an “off-the-shelf ready product,” the Direct Socket is a set of materials, tools, and standardized fabrication process, designed to increase patient satisfaction. Connect® TF is an adjustable socket that addresses some of the struggles people face with putting on, taking off, and adjusting conventional sockets. Connect® TF offers a solution that is easy to put on while sitting and is comfortable to wear while sitting, standing, and walking. Along with the unique design that allows for adjustment to limb changes, it is an ideal alternative to conventional sockets. In addition, our facility in Orlando in the US, offers quality socket design and fabrication based on 3D scans and measurements of the residual limb.

With Össur Legs and our broad prosthetic solutions offering, consisting of a wide range of feet, knees, sockets, liners and componentry, we are in a unique position to enable CPOs to dedicate more time to patients' needs and optimize the productivity and value chain of O&P clinics. To support this growing offering, we have invested in digital initiatives such as the Össur Portal that contains a leg configurator catered to CPOs' needs and simplifying the ordering process.

Össur Legs are well established in Americas and further market reach is under way. O&P clinics see value in adopting Össur Legs and customer loyalty for the offering is high. In 2022, we launched the Össur Portal in Americas to support the Össur Leg offering with an impressive adoption rate. We will continue to develop Össur Legs and the Össur Portal in close collaboration with O&P clinics, focusing on adding value and optimizing the O&P value chain.

Our core values are Honesty, Frugality, and Courage, and these values guide our decisions. We live these values every day in everything we do—in our interactions with colleagues and customers, and in our work efforts.

We have around 4,000 employees working in 36 countries. While we are a diverse company, we work as one to improve people’s mobility. Different ideas and points of view are beneficial to our business, and we believe in creating an environment where diversity, knowledge, skills, and strengths are fully utilized. As individuals, our employees can expect fair and equal treatment and equal opportunities for growth within Össur. Our employees take responsibility, both for their job and for their career advancement. We offer various learning opportunities, so employees can build a lasting and rewarding career with us.

We measure our employees’ engagement at least once a year and we are proud that our engagement and employee satisfaction is high. Our greatest assets are our employees’ passion, drive, and capabilities to help our customers and end-users.

We have a Competency Framework within Össur that allows us to identify the behaviors that drive successful performance and supports our business strategy. Our competencies are collaboration, communication, driving results, customer focus and change. We have annual performance reviews, where we review the performance of the past year and plan for the performance of the coming year. Regular check-ins are encouraged between employees and managers to discuss both the performance and development of our competencies which are supported by Össur‘s Development Guide that lists training and development opportunities for each competency. All employees, regardless of their role or location, have access to thousands of online and virtual courses to learn from and grow. All leaders go through our LEAD program, a global leadership development program. We also offer mentoring, 360° assessments, and 1:1 coaching to support the development efforts and to further grow our talented employees.

Össur recruits competent and ambitious individuals who can work on demanding projects. Our hiring decisions are based on the skills and abilities we need to grow the business and our global team of talented professionals is passionate about helping people live a Life Without Limitations® .

If you are interested in joining our team, you can view and apply for an open position on Össur’s applicant portal.