The<unk>  is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the care of people with musculoskeletal injuries and their sequelae through research, development, education and quality assurance in the principles, practice, and result of fracture treatment. Distribution and sales of all<unk>  products is done through Synthes via a subsidiary. From March 2006, Synthes acquired existing "Synthes"-branded products from the<unk> . The<unk>  research centre at Davos The foundation had its origins in a Swiss study group, Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen (German for "working group for bone fusion issues") or<unk> , founded in Switzerland in 1958 and runs training courses on methods of bone plating and fracture surgical treatment in many countries. Growth led to restructuring and the<unk>  was constituted in December 1984.<unk>  regularly hold courses worldwide for Orthopedic Surgeons and other health professionals. These include hands on experience of using the latest implants, as well as lectures from expert surgeons and discussions. The foundation has a large impact in the field of Maxillofacial surgery and many of the foundation recommendations are used in that field. In March 2018, it was announced that the<unk>  has partnered with OBERD, a leader in outcomes data collection to provide an innovative patient outcomes data collection system for its members in the United States. In March 2020, The<unk>  announced an agreement with icotec ag for the joint development of a new spinal stabilization system based on the latters proprietary BlackArmor Carbon/PEEK composite implant material. The<unk>  owns four institutes: *AO Research Institute, at Davos *AO Education Institute, at Davos *AO Clinical Investigation, at Dübendorf *AOTK System, at Davos
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