Turning Everyday Frustrations into Innovative Solutions

OCR Product Development, LLC combines a surgeon’s problem-solving discipline with hands-on product design, rapid prototyping, testing, and intellectual-property experience.

30+
Years of surgical experience
Patented
Product developer
Hands-on
Prototype development shop
Tangled paths representing complexity converging through the OCR symbol into one clear path and simple product forms
Occam’s Razor The Simplest Solution is Usually the Best

Our guiding principle

“The Simplest Solution is Usually the Best.”
Observe Clearly. Design Deliberately. Test Relentlessly.

A perspective on simplicity

Simplifying the Complex

Regardless of your views on firearms, the movie AK-47: Kalashnikov offers an interesting perspective on the product development process—understanding a problem, testing ideas, learning from failures, and simplifying a design.

Watch it through a product developer’s eyes: the lesson is how observation, persistence, and practical testing can turn an idea into a working solution.

See the movie on Amazon Prime Video

Dr. Stephen R. Kerr
Founder & Managing Member Stephen R. Kerr, MD

About the founder

A Career Built Around Solving Real Problems

Dr. Stephen R. Kerr is a retired general and laparoscopic surgeon, patented inventor, medical-device developer, consumer-product developer, and author.

More than three decades in surgery shaped a practical approach to innovation: understand the problem at its source, eliminate unnecessary complexity, and build a solution that performs reliably in the real world. That same approach now guides every project at OCR Product Development.

Dr. Kerr works across medical, household, automotive, recreational, and digital-product categories. His experience spans early concept evaluation, design development, functional prototyping, user testing, patent strategy, manufacturing preparation, and licensing outreach.

Retired Surgeon Patented Inventor Product Developer Author

What we do

Ideas Become Useful When They Can Be Tested

In-house capability Operational

Rapid Prototype Development Shop

Built around the Creality K2 Plus Combo 3D printer and a hands-on development workflow for creating, evaluating, and refining functional prototypes.

  • 01 Concept visualization and design refinement
  • 02 CAD-guided functional prototyping
  • 03 Multi-material 3D-print capability
  • 04 Fit, function, and usability testing
  • 05 Iteration for manufacturing and licensing
Creality K2 Plus Combo Fast iteration · Large-format capability · Multi-color / multi-material workflow

OCR maintains a fully functional prototype development shop, allowing concepts to move quickly from a rough idea to a physical model that can be handled, evaluated, revised, and demonstrated.

01

Define the Problem

Start with the user, the frustration, and the result that matters.

02

Develop the Solution

Translate the insight into a focused, practical product concept.

03

Build and Test

Create functional prototypes, identify weaknesses, and refine performance.

04

Prepare the Path Forward

Support intellectual property, manufacturing, presentation, and licensing decisions.

Development portfolio

Practical Innovation Across Product Categories

The portfolio includes products at different stages of development—from protected concepts and working prototypes to market-ready products and licensing candidates.

Medical/Surgical Products & Software

01
Medical device · Surgical instrumentation

Laparoscopic Port Site Fascial Closure Device

US 6,743,241 B2 · Issued June 1, 2004

Developed by Dr. Kerr, this device uses a simple, Occam’s Razor-inspired approach to closing fascial defects created by laparoscopic trocars during surgery.

View the patent (PDF)
02
Medical device · Surgical instrumentation

Laparoscopic Direct Vision Dissecting Port

US 7,056,329 B2 · Issued June 6, 2006

Developed by Dr. Kerr, this device enables dissection through the abdominal wall and fascia under direct laparoscopic vision, designed to support safer trocar placement and reduce the risk of injury to internal organs.

View the patent (PDF)
03
Medical device

EnteroBridge™

Absorbable Enteric Bypass Stent

An inflatable, absorbable device concept designed to divert enteric flow across a fistula while supporting temporary internal sealing.

04
Therapeutic concept

Neuropathy Insole

Wearable TENS System

A slipper and removable-insole concept integrating targeted conductive zones with compact, rechargeable stimulation controls.

05
Medical Coding Software · Currently Dormant

SurgiCode

Natural-Language Surgical Coding Software

The problem: Translating the procedure described in a surgeon’s operative report into ICD-10-PCS codes requires connecting familiar surgical terminology with a highly structured coding system.

The solution: Dr. Kerr founded SurgiCode and developed a natural-language search program built around an extensive database of surgical procedures and their associated ICD-10-PCS codes. He mapped procedure names, medical terminology, synonyms, and alternative descriptions to specific operations.

The goal was straightforward: a coder could enter the “operation performed” directly from the surgeon’s operative report, and SurgiCode would identify the corresponding code or codes for review and confirmation against the documented procedure details.

Although the company is currently dormant, SurgiCode demonstrates Dr. Kerr’s approach to product development: understand a complex problem thoroughly, organize the underlying information, and make the solution easier to use.

06
In development · Clinical evaluation pending

Percussive Tendon Therapy Device

Working title · “Tendon trap” attachment

A percussive massage device with a distinctive “tendon trap” attachment, inspired by techniques used in the Fascial Distortion Model. The design aims to deliver targeted treatment for golfer’s and tennis elbow with less discomfort than the manual technique.

An informal preliminary evaluation involving five individuals, including Dr. Kerr, reportedly produced substantial symptom relief following three 10-minute sessions with minimal discomfort. These early observations have not established safety, effectiveness, or lasting benefit. A formal clinical trial is planned.

07
In development · Working name

T-Ject — Assisted Self-Injection Device

A device concept for a 1 cc syringe that automates needle insertion while leaving medication delivery under the user’s manual control. Designed with viscous medications such as testosterone formulations in mind, it aims to reduce apprehension around needle insertion while allowing the user to depress the plunger slowly at a controlled pace.

Initial CAD models have been created. Further design refinement is needed before producing functional, 3D-printable prototypes. Safety, performance, and any effect on injection discomfort have not yet been established.

Commercial & Retail Products

Automotive

09
Automotive utility
Pierce & Pour™

Dual-Function Funnels

Specialized funnels that pierce and retain container seals, stabilize the pour, and make fluid transfer cleaner and easier.

See this product on Etsy Explore Pierce & Pour

Household Items

10
Kitchen safety
SinkShark™

Garbage Disposal Tool

Safely and sanitarily plunge food scraps through the splash guard while keeping hands out of the opening. Guide, scrape, plunge, and clean—with the disposal completely off.

See SinkShark™ on Etsy Explore SinkShark™
12
Drinkware
ErgoMug™

Comfort Series

An ergonomic mug-handle system with finger contours, thumb support, and a lower rest for more balanced, comfortable handling.

Visit the ErgoMug website
13
Sewing accessory
StitchStart™

Thread Clamp for Cleaner Sewing Starts

Holds both thread tails when you begin stitching to help reduce messy loops and thread nests, then allows the tails to release naturally as you sew.

See StitchStart™ on Etsy Explore StitchStart™

Drafting and Drawing Innovations

15
Rotating drawing platform
The Perfect Circle™

Keep the Compass Steady. Turn the Platform. Complete the Circle.

Draw circles with a drafting compass without repeatedly repositioning your hand. The 13 × 13-inch platform turns beneath the steady compass, while its gripping surface helps hold the paper in place. A simple drawing aid for product developers, artists, students and hobbyists.

Shop The Perfect Circle™ on Etsy See details & demonstration videos

Active Lifestyle

16
Mobile accessory
KardShark™

Smartphone Wallet

A high-capacity phone wallet designed to carry cards and cash securely while preserving quick, comfortable everyday access.

17
Wearable technology
TuneStrap™

Wearable Electronic Device Harness

A secure hinged housing and strap system designed to carry a phone or electronic device for hands-free access.

18
Sporting equipment
SureShot USA

Tac-Edge® & Elite Marksman®

Adjustable firearm cheek-rest systems developed to improve repeatable alignment, comfort, and a consistent shooting position.

Smartphone Applications

19
Digital product
StackStats Geo

Poker Finance & Location App

A location-aware mobile platform for finding poker rooms, tracking sessions, and turning play history into useful financial insight.

Visit the StackStats Geo website

Product names and development status are presented for informational purposes. Individual project pages, demonstrations, and technical summaries may be added in a future site expansion.

A practical guide for independent product developers

Research.
Prototype.
Protect.
Prepare.
Evaluation Prototyping Intellectual property Manufacturing Licensing
Stephen R. Kerr, MD · Author

From experience to guidance

How to Develop Your Product Idea Without Going Broke

Dr. Kerr’s practical guide helps independent product developers make better decisions, avoid expensive mistakes, and move ideas forward without losing control of the process.

The book draws on first-hand experience with product evaluation, prototyping, intellectual property, manufacturing, licensing, and commercialization—not theory alone.

Coming soon
New AI-Enhanced Edition

Updated to show how AI can accelerate research, design, documentation, and development while keeping human judgment at the center.

OCR

OCR Product Development, LLC

Clear Thinking. Serious Development

Based in Washington State, OCR Product Development creates and advances practical products grounded in real needs, disciplined problem-solving, and hands-on validation.

ocrproductdevelopment.com
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