From Concept to Reality: Developing Navii
Insights into the development of Navii, Össur´s new waterproof microprocessor-controlled knee
Developing a medical device is a complex and lengthy process that can take several years and is marked by numerous small victories and milestones. I would like to share insights into the development of Navii, Össur´s new microprocessor-controlled knee. A product I am particularly proud of as I have been leading the team responsible for the design and development.
I have a background in mechanical engineering along with a master's degree in biomedical engineering and in 2008 I moved to Reykjavík, marking the beginning of my journey at Össur. I am very fortunate to have been able to participate and contribute to several meaningful and exciting projects in these 17 years that I have been with the company, the most recent being Navii.
Development of Navii began in 2019 with a focus on improving actuator technology and advancing the electronics used in microprocessor knees. When we built the first prototypes, we paid special attention to developing the gait controls to ensure a safe, smooth, and controlled performance when walking in stairs and ramps. We successfully created a waterproof device, which required significant design and testing efforts and we are proud to say that Navii is truly waterproof, meaning you can take it to the pool and the beach without any worry. Creating the protective cover was a project in itself and to perfect every detail of the look, feel and function while keeping fabrication techniques in mind required determination and creativity.
It is important to me to highlight that this has been a joint effort involving a team of engineers, designers and other professionals across various departments within Össur. Our engineering team includes many specialised engineers who contribute with their expertise in areas such as electronics, mechanical components, software and manufacturability. As a systems engineer, my role has been to keep an overview of how all those elements integrate and ensure that they work seamlessly together.
We constantly consider user needs to find the optimal balance between aspects such as size, weight and performance and we always strive for the best, lightest and most durable solution. While we do encounter design challenges along the way, we have viewed them as opportunities to improve and enhance the Navii design.
Throughout the Navii development, we experienced numerous breakthroughs and small wins. For me, one of the most rewarding moments was accompanying a person using Navii to the swimming pool for the first time. It was also incredibly rewarding to test early versions of the knee with end-users and being able to integrate their input to refine and optimise the design.
Final words from Lucas
I am really looking forward to seeing Navii in action, to hear the stories and experiences of those who will be wearing it and to see photos and videos of them showcasing how Navii is impacting their lives.