Medical Device Proof of Concept, Medical Device Prototype, and MVP (Minimum Viable Product) are often used Interchangeably. This happens in all the manufacturing & development industries including the Medical Device Development & Manufacturing Industry.
Here we outline key differences between them to help you understand what happens at every stage.
What is Medical Device Proof of Concept?
“Proof of Concept” is a widely used term in medical device manufacturing & development. Proof of concept is a primary rough functional model of a concept to justify the viability and possible market success of a new idea or concept.
The process involved in creating a POC is theoretical in terms of analyzing markets and building data around the relevance of new product idea.
To understand better let us consider, you are developing a wireless electrostimulation device. The POC for this type of device will be a primary roughly designed functional model displaying how the wireless technology will work (It can be a Mobile App, Bluetooth connectivity or something else).
Medical Device Proof of Concept use areas:
- To ensure that the idea generated matches the intended use of the device
- To ensure the processes outlined for next stage of development are appropriate
- To evaluate the current value of the idea
- To analyze the functionality and limitations of the concept
Possible merits of Medical Device POC
- Demonstrating the value of an idea to key stakeholders ((Investors, patients, clinicians, managers, executives, clinical assistants and payers)
- Streamlining the best processes for next stage of development to create the best products
- Generating feedback (for review & analysis) before entering the next stage
What is a Medical Device Prototype?
Unlike Proof-of-Concept, Prototyping is a practical approach to create a functional model of the theoretical design. Prototyping involves building product iterations to check the manufacturability, cost, acceptability, accessibility, and market relevance of the final design.
Prototype key use areas:
- To test the viability of the product in an end-user environment
- To establish a cost outline of the final product
- To evaluate possible risks and challenges at the initial stage of development
Key benefits of Medical Device Prototyping
- Possibility of Functional evaluation in the end-user environment
- Evaluation through multiple Iterations for best product version
- Quick check & evaluation of possible errors in design
- A cost-effective way to check scalability
- Evaluate the match between desired specifications vs. actual
What is MVP (Minimum Viable Product) in Medical Device Manufacturing?
The Minimum Viable Product is closest to the final product that will go into mass manufacturing. Unlike other versions of the device, this one has almost all the aspects tested and verified for a final check. MVP can be used in several different cases:
- To test a proven product type
- To develop a product with known specifications
- To evaluate the market acceptance of the product
Key benefits of MVP
- A budget-friendly way to evaluate feasibility of the product before getting into pilot production
- Best Proof of Value for stakeholders (Investors, patients, clinicians, managers, executives, clinical assistants and payers)
- A practical method to evaluate user acceptability
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