Medical product development is a vast industry serving the needs of pharmaceutical companies, health care professionals and a variety of niche markets in between. From medical design research to medical device development, the medical product design and development industry can assist in all your needs.

There's a considerable range of services available in the development of medical devices. It requires a team of individuals and service providers who know the industry and can meet government requirements. Your need can be a small piece of equipment for a particular medical device or a complex medical device for a laboratory setting.

1. Find a company to help you evaluate your medical device with medical prototyping before you embark on full-scale development of medical devices.

2. Search for companies developing medical devices for drug delivery systems, point-of-care diagnostic instruments and monitoring equipment.

3. Look for companies that specialize in medical disposables, laboratory equipment or surgical and consumer devices.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Create the first working model of your medical device with medical prototyping

After medical equipment research, medical equipment development begins with a prototype. Parts of human anatomy, implants and prostheses are just a few examples of prototyped devices. These working replicas are the model of your medical product's design.

I recommend: ProtoCAM provides medical prototyping for human anatomy, surgical planning, implants, prostheses and medical equipment. The company allows you to request a quote for a prototype online. At designAccess you'll receive strong prototypes using rapid prototype development.

Search for companies currently developing medical devices

Medical device product development creates implements to assist surgeons and can develop internal organ implants for patients. Complex medical systems monitor a patient at home and deliver drugs to those in pain. The medical science and health care industry has come a long way in recent years.

I recommend: Request information from the Bresslergroup for developing medical products including surgical instruments, drug delivery devices and other complex medical systems. Minnetronix designs and develops electronics-based medical devices and complex systems for both the medical profession and the patient.

Look for companies that specialize in specific medical equipment design

In addition to surgeons and patients having the development of medical devices at their disposals, a variety of solutions are developed by other professionals. Medical disposables for fluid management need to be assembled, from design to packaging, in a sterile environment. Custom machines can be designed for laboratory automation while technologically-advanced handheld devices and computer web interfaces can assist in critical tasks.

I recommend: Advanced Scientifics produces medical disposables from start to finish. AB Controls automates laboratories, creates robotics and offers varied services to numerous industries in the scientific and medical community. UEmedical designs and develops surgical devices, consumer devices, medical disposables, handheld devices and web interfaces.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When planning your medical device design make sure that any company you consider is using FDA-approved medical grade material to meet your specifications.