Exploring the role of Design in the context of Medical Device Innovation

Abstract

Technology is the leading driving force in healthcare and medical device design, however, innovations which emerge from these practices are often driven by clinical requirements. Such innovations are focused on developing products that addresses current health issues, diseases or medical problems – often lacking consideration of the end users’ needs. Design innovation advocates that user-centred design happens much earlier in the product development process so that the patient needs are prioritised. However, this emerging field is yet to be defined and explored in a medical context. This paper therefore proposes a framework of Medical Device Design Innovation to explore the role of design in medical device innovation through two medical device case studies. The proposed framework suggests a way to navigate the nuances and complexities of the medical device industry in order to put the patient first while ensuring commercial viability.