3 min read
At Veranex, our Product Development and Engineering (PDE) team surfaces and shares groundbreaking advancements from enterprises and institutions worldwide during a monthly Medtech Innovation Forum. Here are some notable products that highlight the transformative applications of medical robotics with strong patient outcome implications and our ideas about moving them forward.
Veranex Perspective:
If deemed promising, our design teams would dive into user and environmental analyses, concept generation, iterative prototyping with our in-house capabilities, and usability testing to refine the human-machine interface. This would ultimately deliver a proof of concept that is intuitive and meets the clinical need to confidently move into development.
This robotic hand prosthetic can accurately identify the objects it is gripping and adjust to an appropriate pressure. Built with both soft and rigid components to mimic the natural structure of the human hand, it has three layers of tactile sensors and feedback systems. Sensory information from the fingers translates to a nerve language via a machine learning algorithm. The hand can be controlled by the patient using electromyography (EMG) signals and a gesture control armband which classifies the signals and sends them to a microcontroller that oversees pneumatic actuation. This system enables a more precise, natural feeling prosthetic experience and offers greater dexterity for humanoid robots.
Veranex Perspective: For a bionic hand, our teams would conduct ethnographic research to deeply understand the daily challenges and desires of amputees. We'd assess the competitive landscape and reimbursement pathways. Our technical experts, in collaboration with engineering, would evaluate the robustness and manufacturability of the sensing and control systems. Careful consideration of current regulations related to AI and ML would be a must.
NeuroRestore's research combines spinal cord electrical stimulation with rehabilitation robotics in an attempt to enable paralyzed patients to regain coordinated movement. A surgically implanted stimulator delivers precise electrical pulses to the spinal cord which stimulates muscles and aligns with a robotic system that helps move the patient to walk on a treadmill. In the proof-of-concept study, the researchers worked with five paralyzed patients and were able to restore voluntary muscle movement to the point of being able to walk or cycle outside.
Veranex Perspective: This is a prime example of a complex medical robotic innovation requiring thorough strategic evaluation. Our early phase discovery and innovation services would be crucial in understanding the complete patient journey, stakeholder ecosystem (surgeons, rehab specialists, & payers), along with the potential for this technology to become a new standard of care. From the reimbursement or payer perspective, it is always critical to understand who is at financial risk. We would also map out the regulatory landscape and potential barriers to adoption including price.
From a design standpoint, Veranex’s teams would focus on the human-centered aspects of both the implantable stimulator and the external robotic system interfaces. This includes intuitive interfaces for clinicians, ensuring patient comfort and safety, and developing a system that can be effectively integrated into rehabilitation workflows. The path through development would require rigorous technical testing, usability studies with both patients and clinicians, and ensuring the design aligns with realistic manufacturing.
Indeed, many promising technologies are heavy lifts for successful commercialization and patient impact.
Innovation in medical robotics integrates multiple areas of Veranex’s expertise including human centered industrial design, human factors engineering, and other specialties within our design and engineering groups including manufacturing.
Our strength lies in our specialized expertise and overarching integrated approach. We combine user, market, and technical insights to define promising opportunities for our expert design teams to transform into tangible, market-leading products. The team’s ability to generate creative solutions with utilization of technology with prioritization of the human – machine interface is intuitive and ensures reduction of risks and strong product safety.
When innovators hire Veranex for product development and engineering, industry leading preclinical or clinical research services, they not only get detailed expertise among multiple service lines, they get access to the breadth and depth of the company’s expertise. This ensures the right insight is available at the right time without having to stop to identify and formally engage another external vendor.
By meticulously managing the journey from concept to proof of concept and beyond, we help our clients de-risk development, fuel their innovation journey, and ultimately position their products for success in the market, enhancing patient care and outcomes.
6 min read
As artificial intelligence transforms healthcare innovation, the FDA continues to evolve its regulatory framework for AI-enabled device software...
