A FEASIBLE CHANGE FOR THE BETTER

July 29, 2009

Therametric Technologies, Inc. (TTI) came to Priio asking for a wireless, battery powered, hand-held device, which dentists could use to get diagnostic photographs of individual teeth. However with a small budget and an even smaller timeline, feasibility was problematic. “We reviewed the concept and realized this sort of project would cost a lot – and take a few months to develop,” says Priio president Larry O’Cull. Expediency is important for testing this product because, according to Therametric director Bart Collins, the expense of dental research is often prohibitive to marketing innovations. “Equipment that improves the efficacy of studies and enables researchers to see changes earlier ultimately reduces time to market for new technologies,” he explains. Because expediency was key, Priio came back with a counter proposal: an ergonomic hand-held device which accomplished the same task but without wireless connectivity and battery operation, instead using USB as the power source and data connection to the analysis computer. The solution was cost effective and quick to develop and produce “looks like/works like” models that could be used for testing. “We were able to get two working prototypes into their hands within four weeks time,” says O’Cull. “Now they can get the data and images they want and get the product into hands of dentists for further study.” Collins was please with the result. “The first two instruments are working really great,” he wrote in a note to a team member. “You and everyone over at Priio have rock star status here.” [For more info about Priio, check out www.priio.com] ><>