OCON and the UT connect science and clinical practice in healthcare

This collaboration is not new. Joint PhD trajectories, research projects, student supervision and scientific publications have connected both organisations for years. One example is patient-specific 3D analysis of joint anatomy, such as the knee or wrist, enabling corrective procedures to be planned and carried out in the operating theatre using a patient-specific cutting guide.

Research like this originates directly from questions arising in the operating room and ultimately finds its way back into patient care. With this agreement, the collaboration gains a structural and strategic foundation.

“The most relevant research questions often arise in the consultation room or operating theatre. Through this collaboration with the UT, we can translate those questions into scientific research and bring the results back into patient care.”
Dr Roy Hoogeslag, orthopaedic surgeon, OCON

The strength of this collaboration lies in combining two worlds that reinforce each other from different perspectives while addressing the same question. The UT is internationally recognised as a leading technical university in medical technology, biomechanics and healthcare innovation.

As a specialised hospital for orthopaedic care, OCON contributes a high treatment volume, clinical expertise and its own research and innovation infrastructure, including an R&D department, an in-house 3D lab and a staff of which a large proportion holds PhDs.

This creates an environment in which technological research does not remain confined to the lab but is immediately tested in daily clinical practice, a living lab where engineering truly creates impact for patients.

An important element of the agreement is the academic appointment of orthopaedic surgeon Dr Roy Hoogeslag at the Faculty of ET, specifically within the Department of Biomechanical Engineering. This creates a permanent personnel link between clinical practice and technology.

Dr Hoogeslag’s role in elite sports also creates a direct connection with sports medicine and movement analysis. Both organisations jointly invest in PhD candidates and education. A Technical Medicine graduate from the UT recently completed a PhD on 3D wrist analysis, while a second researcher is pursuing a PhD on 3D knee analysis. Both continue to work at OCON as 3D specialists in the in-house 3D lab.

“I look forward to taking our successful and incredibly enjoyable collaboration to the next level, so that we can actually apply the complex technologies we develop to benefit patients. Ultimately, that is what we do it for.”
Prof. dr. ir. Gabriëlle Tuijthof, University of Twente

The intensified collaboration is also important for the region. By bringing knowledge institutions and healthcare organisations closer together, a stronger ecosystem for healthcare and innovation in the eastern Netherlands is created. OCON and the University of Twente share the ambition to further expand their collaboration in the coming years.

“For OCON, this collaboration is a logical next step. Combining technological expertise from the University of Twente with everyday clinical practice at OCON enables us to develop, study and implement innovations in patient care more rapidly.”
André van Zwol, Managing Director, OCON

prof.dr.ir. G.J.M. Tuijthof (Gabriëlle)
Full Professor