720553The Tru-Grip Locking Screwdriver: A surgical innovation from Harvard Healthcare LtdClosedGRD Development of PrototypeInnovate UKScrewdrivers are commonly used in orthopaedic surgery to repair a fracture site or rebuild scaffolding around damaged joints & tissue. Up to 6% of traumatic injury patients have fractures; of these patients, ~50% require repair using fixation. Fracture repairs are rising, with market drivers including the aging population (osteoporotic fractures), increasing prevalence of degenerative joint diseases and active lifestyles causing joint wear and tear. There are a number of common problems with existing screwdrivers; they often fail to retain the screw, & screws can fall into the patient or onto the floor. If the screw falls into the patient it can take time to retrieve; those that fall on to the floor are no longer usable. During the removal of existing screws there is a risk of stripping & breaking the screw head if the screwdriver fails to engage properly, making removal problematic and causing the patient difficulties. A survey of surgeons determined that >60% encountered problems retaining screws at the end of the screwdriver. Stripped screws & poor screwing technique lengthen operative time, increase the risk of secondary maximally invasive surgery & the presence of metallic shavings residues in cases of screw head destruction. The opportunity exists for Harvard Healthcare Ltd to develop the ‘Tru-Grip Locking Screwdriver’ (TGS), a new orthopaedic screwdriver. The TGS is a hex-tipped driver designed to retain the fastener and prevent screws dropping onto the floor and becoming unusable, or into the patient, potentially causing tissue damage and costly extension to theatre time. Conservative estimates suggest a minimum of £34K - £62K could be saved by the NHS annually in dropped screws using the TGS, excluding the costs of extra theatre time saved (£15/minute). Cumulative worldwide 5 year sales figures suggest gross profit for HH of over £12.8m, with return on investment expected for Harvard Heathcare in Y1, and for UK Plc in Y2.