AO TC

1947-01-01 18:21:50

AO origins

In the late 1940s, the biology of bone healing had not been scientifically investigated and knowledge was sparse. The book, 'Théorie et Pratique de l'Ostéosynthèse' by Belgian surgeon Robert Danis, published in 1949, attracted the attention of a young, innovative Swiss surgeon, Maurice E Müller. Maurice E Müller visited Danis in March 1950 and gathered a small group of Swiss surgeons—Robert Schneider, Hans Willenegger, Martin Allgöwer, and Walter Bandi—who shared his interests in researching bone healing.

1959-01-01 01:17:44

AO Founders developed four pillars

The five founders of the "AO Cooperation" saw great potential in the internal fixation of fractured bones, which at that time was not at all well accepted by the surgeon community. From the beginning they realized that these "revolutionary" ideas would only have a chance to get into the clinics if surgeons would be taught to use internal fixation correctly (Teaching) based on fundamental knowledge about healing (Research) and well documented successful use (Documentation) and finally with applicable implants and instruments to perform the operation (Instrumentation). They declared these 4 pillars in 1959 as the main activities needed to convince other surgeons to use the new techniques of fracture treatment and started immediately to organize structures for all the 4 pillars to ensure the success of their "revolution" in fracture treatment.

1960-01-01 00:00:00

First generation Instrumentarium

The implant designs reflected the aim to achieve absolute stability and combine that with pressure on the bone to maximize healing. The central plate of this period was the standard compression plate (CP) with round holes and screws. These pressure plates came in narrow, broad, long, and short versions, as well as in the form of a tubular semi-pipe plate issued in 1963. This initial standard Instrumentarium was used in the first Davos Courses in 1960 and 1961, predating the creation of the AO Technical Commission. The use was primarily intended for long bone fractures to the upper and lower leg. Over time, additional cassettes for other types of fractures were added.

1960-12-01 00:00:00

Synthes AG Chur established

In December 1960, in a move to protect Robert Mathys and the AO, Synthes AG Chur was established to coordinate instrument production, present them to the medical community, and distribute profits. Peter von Rechenberg crafted the wording. The five founding fathers owned the 50 shares.

1961-11-01 00:00:00

AO Technische Kommission (AO TK) established

In November 1961, the AO Foundation established the AO Technische Kommission (AO TK) as the institute responsible for the development and approval of innovative surgical techniques, implants, and instruments. In practice, the AO TK controlled all the prerogatives Synthes catalogues and commercial material and made sure that the products offered were identical with those described in the AO textbooks. Only instruments and implants that were approved by the AO TK were allowed to be sold. When the AO TK first met, it was an informal group consisting of the four AO founders and Synthes AG Chur shareholders, together with producers Robert Mathys and Fritz Straumann. The group met several times each year, and its decisions, made by majority vote were binding for all AO TK members, surgeons, and producers alike.

1961-12-16 00:00:00

First AO TK meeting

The first session on December 16, 1961, was comprised of Müller (Chair), Allgöwer, Schneider, Mathys, Straumann, two of Straumann's employees (Vogt and Karpf) and Müller's wife, who until that point had handled all shipments from her home in Biel. Meetings were chaired by Müller, and the administration of the meetings was in the hands of von Rechenberg, fiscal and legal advisor to the AO and Synthes AG Chur. Discussed were all elements of the AO Instrumentarium, the surgeons' experience with new implants, and new developments. Although the producers had an exclusive contract with Synthes AG Chur, the AO TK became the forum where decisions were made on any part of the AO Instrumentarium. Effectively, neither Straumann nor Mathys could produce and market implants or instruments related to AO procedures without express AO TK approval.

1963-01-01 00:00:00

First AO instrument boxes

Robert Mathys produced 20 full sets of the famous six boxes which contained all the AO instruments needed for internal fixation of fractures. In 1963 at the third AO Course in Davos, the guest of honor was the German traumatologist Heinrich Bürkle de la Camp (1895–1974) who had been critical of internal fixation at the 1958 German Surgical Society congress. In Davos in 1963 he conceded that AO equipment was technically superior to anything made before, especially the Müller compression plate when compared with the than existing Lane plate. He went on to praise the AO at the German Surgical Society the following year.

1965-01-01 00:00:00

First AO nailing

The technique of medullary nailing in which the medullary space is reamed out was described in 1962 by Küntscher. The instrument set seems to be effective in most situations. In cooperation with Mathys and Straumann, the AOI nail was developed. It is thin, elastic and polished internally and externally by mechanical, electrical, and chemical means. If you would like to learn about the history of the technique of intramedullary nailing, visit the homepage of Kuentscher Society by clicking on the button below.

1970-01-01 00:00:00

Dynamic compression plates (DCP)

The new plate went through the AO's usual testing procedures. The device had undergone technical trials involving experiments in tissue culture and animals, and was ready for testing on humans in selected hospitals. In 1970 the DCP was made available for all AO members and those surgeons who regularly attended AO conferences. In 1971 a DCP set was included in the standard AO product range. In order to give surgeons a choice and to be able to distinguish the effects of the change in material from those in the change of design, the DCP was produced in both steel and titanium.

1975-01-01 00:00:00

Maxillofacial instruments and implants

AO TK approved the first CMF Instrumentarium set for general use and, in 1976 a special set of maxillofacial instruments and implants was produced. The further development of the AO concept in the field led to a comprehensive approach to craniofacial surgery in the fields of traumatology, tumor,and reconstructive surgery.

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AO TC

1947
1959
1960
1960
1961
1961
1963
1965
1970
1975
1979
1982
1987
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2007
2007
2008
2009
2011
2011
2015
2016
2016
2017
2019
2020
2021
2022
2024
Event

New AO TCEB Chair

2024

In June 2024, Michael Raschke takes over leadership of the AO TCEB. He succeeds Maarten Spruit.

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Event

New AO TCEB Chair

2022

As of June 2022, Maarten Spruit is the first Spine surgeon to lead the AO TCEB. He succeeds Daniel Buchbinder.

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Event

AO TC turns 60

2021

AO TC turns 60 in November 2021 and celebrates its anniversary at the annual AO Davos Courses in December. A short video with a review of important...

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Event

New structure and change to AO TC naming

2020

The AO TK System became part of the AO Innovation Translation center and was renamed the AO Technical Commission (AO TC). The AO TC is the AO's...

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Event

Signing of the first off-ramp contract

2019

The AO Foundation and icotec ag announce the successful agreement and kick-off for the joint development of a new spinal stabilization system based on...

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Event

New AO TK Chair

2017

In December 2017 Daniel Buchbinder takes over the lead in the AO TK System from Tim Pohlemann being the first CMF surgeon after decades of leadership...

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Event

New AO TK Approved Solutions website

2016

March 2016 saw the launch of the AO TK System's brand new AO TK Approved Solutions website. Showcasing surgical products that have been approved by...

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Event

First AO TK Neuro meeting

2016

The AO TK Neuro has its first meeting in July. The newly established AO TK Neuro comprises an international group of neurosurgeons. Neurosurgery had...

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Event

New opportunities for off-ramp partnerships—adapted AO TK Guidelines

2015

In 2015 a new collaboration agreement was signed between DePuy Synthes and the AO Foundation giving the AO TK System some new freedom in developing...

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Event

Meet the Experts

2011

Excellence in innovation on display. Since 2011 this popular format offers the opportunity to learn about the AO TK's most recently approved medical...

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Event

50 years AO TK System

2011

AO TK System celebrate its 50 year anniversary. At the AO Davos Courses, Stephan Perren shares a few memories of how it started on a slide...

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Event

New AO TK Chair

2009

In December 2008 Tim Pohlemann takes over the lead of the AO TK System from Norbert Haas.

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Event

4.5 mm locking compression plate

2008

Launched in 2008, the veterinary 4.5 mm locking compression plate with stacked combination holes transformed the surgical procedure for proximal...

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Event

First three navigation modules approved

2007

The AO TK (Trauma) approves the first three navigation modules successfully developed by the expert group for computer assisted surgery (CSEG) in...

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Event

TPLO system

2007

Launched in 2007, the veterinary tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) system revolutionized the surgical treatment of cranial cruciate ligament...

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Event

New contract with Synthes

2006

The new contract defined AO TK System as part of the collaboration agreement. The new structure with AO TK Executive Board, Specialty AO TKs, Expert...

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Event

AO TK Executive Board

2005

In February 2005 the AO TK agreed to split up the AO TK into Specialty TKs, reflecting the changes in the AO Foundation where new...

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Event

Prize for lifetime achievements

2004

In 2004 Stephan Perren is awarded the AO Innovation Award for his lifetime achievements and exceptional contributions to the development of new...

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Event

Collaboration with BrainLAB initiated

2004

The AO Foundation agreed to the collaboration between the German-based company BrainLAB and the dedicated expert group for computer assisted surgery...

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Event

First AO Spine TK Meeting

2003

In December 2003 the newly established AO Spine division held its own first AO Spine TK meeting. The new group consisted of the "normal" AO TK members...

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Event

First issue of the TK News Magazine

2001

The AO Foundation identified a demand for information about innovations and the clinical advantages of its new products. The TK News aims to provide...

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Event

Locking compression plates (LCP)

2000

The locking compression plate (LCP) was the final step of this creative development period that combined previous features of compression plating...

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Event

New AO TK Chair

1998

In December 1998 Norbert Haas takes over from Stephan Perren who has led the AO TK since 1982. The Approval Process with defined Milestones was...

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Event

Minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO)

1997

The techniques of indirect reduction and application of a bridge plate have resulted in the development of the concept of minimally invasive plate...

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Event

First AO TK Guidelines

1995

In December 1995 the AO TK approved the first AO TK Guidelines to ensure proper functioning and information management in the AO TK and its...

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Event

The less invasive stabilization system (LISS)

1995

Since the PC-Fix can only be used in certain parts of the bone, another system based on the same principle called "less invasive stabilization system"...

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Event

Point contact fixator (PC-Fix)

1993

Further research into the contact of plates with bone led, in 1987, to the development of the point contact fixator. The PC-Fix has even less bone...

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Event

Reorganization of the AO TK System

1991

In December 1991 the so-called "big AO TK" decided to restructure for efficiency. A "Core AO TK" and eight Sub-Commissions (Joints TK, Long Bone TK,...

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Event

Innovation awards

1991

The AO Recognition Award, the AO TC Innovation Prize, and the AO Technical Commission Certificate of Merit are intended to recognize and encourage the...

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Event

Limited contact DCP (LC-DCP)

1991

The realization that contact of the plate with the underlying cortex led to damage of the cortical blood supply resulted in a redesign of the plate...

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Event

AO TK Spine

1987

TK Spine had previously been formed under the leadership of Erwin Morscher, the doctor who had pioneered the internal fixator. Max Aebi was pushing...

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Event

New AO TK Chair

1982

In 1982 Maurice E. Müller handed over the chair of the AO TK to Stephan Perren, the Director of the AO Research Institute in Davos.

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Event

Dynamic hip screw (DHS)

1979

Due to other firms like Osteo, Richards, and Zimmer starting to offer hip screw systems and threatening to lure surgeons away, the AO gave in to the...

More
Event

Maxillofacial instruments and implants

1975

AO TK approved the first CMF Instrumentarium set for general use and, in 1976 a special set of maxillofacial instruments and implants was produced....

More
Event

Dynamic compression plates (DCP)

1970

The new plate went through the AO's usual testing procedures. The device had undergone technical trials involving experiments in tissue culture and...

More
Event

First AO nailing

1965

The technique of medullary nailing in which the medullary space is reamed out was described in 1962 by Küntscher. The instrument set seems to be...

More
Event

First AO instrument boxes

1963

Robert Mathys produced 20 full sets of the famous six boxes which contained all the AO instruments needed for internal fixation of fractures. In 1963...

More
Event

First AO TK meeting

1961

The first session on December 16, 1961, was comprised of Müller (Chair), Allgöwer, Schneider, Mathys, Straumann, two of Straumann's employees (Vogt...

More
Event

AO Technische Kommission (AO TK) established

1961

In November 1961, the AO Foundation established the AO Technische Kommission (AO TK) as the institute responsible for the development and approval of...

More
Event

Synthes AG Chur established

1960

In December 1960, in a move to protect Robert Mathys and the AO, Synthes AG Chur was established to coordinate instrument production, present them to...

More
Event

First generation Instrumentarium

1960

The implant designs reflected the aim to achieve absolute stability and combine that with pressure on the bone to maximize healing. The central plate...

More
Event

AO Founders developed four pillars

1959

The five founders of the "AO Cooperation" saw great potential in the internal fixation of fractured bones, which at that time was not at all well...

More
Event

AO origins

1947 - 1950

In the late 1940s, the biology of bone healing had not been scientifically investigated and knowledge was sparse. The book, 'Théorie et Pratique de...

More
1947

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