The Clinician Invention Process: Getting a Medical Device from Idea to Market
Date
2010-05
Authors
Fritz, John A.
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Abstract
Clinicians who deliver patient care, including physicians, nurses, radiologists, and physical therapists, among others, are often the innovators who develop improved methods of care and medical devices. The process of conceptualizing, designing, developing, and launching a new medical device is a daunting task even for the most experienced medical device firm. It is an extraordinary accomplishment for the entrepreneurial clinician inventor who takes on the challenge.
The purpose of this thesis was to increase the success rate of getting these innovations from conceptualization to commercialization by focusing on critical steps and decision processes. An included process model provided the clinician inventor with a road map and guide to design, develop, and commercialize ideas for new medical devices. Factors critical to success, as well as major barriers and challenges which could impede the process, were addressed. The methodology employed included primary research conducted with medical device and process experts from the industry, inventor and non-inventor clinicians, and an extensive literature review. The results of this research and analysis produced a model for clinician inventors that can serve as a road map and a means of making the extraordinary process of commercializing a medical device less daunting.
Description
Keywords
medical instruments and apparatus, medical technology, medical innovations
Citation
Fritz, J. A. (2010). The clinician invention process: Getting a medical device from idea to market (Unpublished thesis). Texas State University-San Marcos, San Marcos, Texas.