Medical device development, from technical design to integrated product development

The development process of medical devices (MDs) implies the integration of knowledge and skills from the fields of medicine and engineering. Such an integration is difficult because of lack of communication, mismatch of priorities and work-style differences among those fields. Besides, MD development has particularities that make the product development process (PDP) even more complex such as high level of regulations, concurrent technologies application as well as different end users requirements. In addition, these MDs are classified according to the level of risk they offer to users - low, medium and high - what makes their development project very complex in practice depending on the risk associated. For the specific case of SMEs in the broad mechanical and electronic area that develop physical MD with low and medium-risk levels, PDP models in place have proved to be not well fit to the reality they face. This research objective is to synthesise a PDP model for SMEs in the specific medical sector, by incorporating the best practices of the engineering area and particularities of the medical area. The methodology used was an extensive bibliographic analysis and field research conducted towards SMEs in the MD industry.

Medical Device Innovators and the 510(k) Regulatory Pathway: Implications of a Survey-Based Assessment of Industry Experience—Part 2: Medical Device Ecosystem and Policy

The FDA 510(k) clearance process is the most common regulatory pathway for medical devices. Since 2010, it has been at the forefront of regulatory policy discussion, with a multitude of stakeholders involved in a substantive exchange of ideas about the need and opportunities for improving the process and its implementation. This article is the second in a two-part series reporting the findings of a questionnaire-based assessment of recent industry experience with the 510(k) process. While the first article focused on findings directly relating to the medical device innovation process, this article reports more broadly on the findings and implications of interest to the medical community and policymakers. We discuss results in five key areas, ranging from the current performance of the 510(k) regulatory process to proposed changes and suggested performance metrics, and place identified challenges in perspective with ongoing and forthcoming FDA actions. Through the survey we also report on current trends in the amount of clinical evidence required by FDA for 510(k) devices and on the interactions between sponsors and the agency during various phases of clinical testing. The results suggest that significant opportunities exist for both industry and FDA to further improve the 510(k) process and the effectiveness of its implementation. Continued collection of process performance data can contribute to prioritizing suggested policy changes, and gauging their effects in a timely manner.

The new collaborative path in medical device development: the medical device innovation consortium

The United States medical device market is the world's largest with over $100 billion in sales in 2011. Despite robust industry growth, the efficiency of the FDA approval process for moderate-risk (Class II) and high-risk devices (Class III) requiring 510(k) submission or pre-market approval (PMA) has been criticized. Recently, the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) announced the creation of a Medical Device Innovation Consortium (MDIC), a public-private partnership (PPP) to share knowledge in regulatory science. Overarching goals include creating a forum for the exchange of ideas among the FDA, industry, and non-profit entities; providing monetary investments for project proposals prioritized by key working groups; and developing tools that support cost effective innovation, data-driven methodology, and implementation strategies. Clinical chemists and clinical laboratory scientists have several unique opportunities to contribute to the MDIC. These laboratory professionals have invaluable experience with the real-life performance of a variety of medical devices and their expertise can recognize unmet needs and contribute towards the acceleration of device development.