Articles of Interest
A Roadmap to Success for Surgeon Inventors – Part 1
From Conception to Commercialization
Thomas Edison is quoted as saying, “Anything that won’t sell, I don’t want to invent. Its sale is proof of utility, and utility is success.” Busy physicians often find themselves identifying a clinical need that could be satisfied with a new product or new technology. In fact, many of the best ideas are born on those difficult days when surgical cases present unique challenges. Read More...
A Roadmap to Success for Surgeon Inventors – Part 2
Is Your Next Product Idea Viable?
How does a surgeon inventor determine quickly and efficiently whether or not his idea has clinical and technical merit? Is it free from infringement on other patents, and easily manufacturable? Does it satisfy enough of a market need to make it attractive to investors, corporate partners or end users? Finding the answers to such vital questions can take considerable investments of time, creative energy and money. The key to a successful (and rewarding) development process lies in gathering specific data early in the project’s development, and answering those questions with objectivity. Doing so will allow the inventor to make sound decisions on whether or not to proceed based on proven indicators—and not simply a gut feeling. How is this done? One method is the careful crafting of a feasibility study. Read More...
A Roadmap to Success for Surgeon Inventors – Part 3
Technologies for Development of Your Ideas
Traditionally, as a surgeon inventor, you may have waited for one of the large implant companies to recognize the value of your new product idea. Then the game began by negotiating timelines, team structure and ultimately, your royalty agreement. While this process has been rewarding for some, it has proven to be disappointing for others. Is there a better way? What would it look like to maintain control of your design, timeline and budgets while hitting milestones and advancing your idea? And what if you could do this while creating intellectual property along the way to build exponential value? Read More...
A Roadmap to Success for Surgeon Inventors – Part 4
The Cost of Developing Your Idea
This series of articles focuses on a different paradigm for bringing new ideas to market, one in which you as a surgeon inventor retain control over designs, aggressively pursue milestones on your own (such as issuance of a patent, testing of prototypes or obtaining a regulatory clearance) and build value before presenting them to industry for possible licensing or sale. Why would you consider this option? Why not just take your sketch straight to a big company? One of the best reasons to pursue development on your own is that the value of your idea can increase exponentially compared to the costs of development—if the process is managed properly. Read More...
A Roadmap to Success for Surgeon Inventors, Part 5 (installment 1 of 2)
The Top Ten Things to Avoid
In this article and the next, we’ll review potential landmines in the product development process that may trip you up or, worse, derail the project and cause you to give up entirely. Here are five of the top ten missteps that I have seen surgeon inventors make during the course of almost 20 years of orthopaedic product development. Next time, we’ll cover the other five. These are listed in no particular order and all of them can happen with regular frequency if you’re not careful. Read More...
A Roadmap to Success for Surgeon Inventors, Part 5 (installment 2)
The Top Ten Things to Avoid
This is the second half of a two-part installment on the top ten things for surgeon inventors to avoid. In the previous installment, we touched on numbers one through five.Today we highlight numbers six through ten. Just like last time, keep in mind that these pitfalls are in no particular order and all of them can happen if you’re not careful. Read More...
Making the Case for Industrial Design and Human Factors
An all too familiar dilemma: a physician has a great idea, but can only take it so far. A new device, a change to a procedure, a way to save time in the OR; medical technology is driven by physicians on the front lines of medical practice. How can ideas be harnessed for the benefit of patients and physicians? Read More...
Roadmap to Success...Does Your Design Need a Second Opinion?
When and how to get constructive feedback throughout the development process
Many of the most significant medical device innovations come from physician inventors. You are on the front lines, utilizing medical devices on a daily basis. You are acutely aware of the pain and frustrations associated with certain products and procedures, and thus have great perspective on which unmet needs present the greatest opportunities. Read More...
Creating Exponential Value, Part I: How Far Should You Take Your Idea?
Our series of articles for the physician inventor continues with a three-part look into the business side of developing and commercializing your ideas. Part One, presented here, introduces a few common situations that you may face when choosing a course of action for your idea. These hypothetical scenarios seek to answer the all-important question, “How far should I take my idea on my own?” Read More...