Tuesday 24th May 2005

Brunel University

The Designplus forum on Medical Device Design held in late May at Brunel University attracted a large and diverse audience of manufacturers, designers, design consultancies and academics interested in this sector.

During the event, delegates were given the opportunity to view the Brunel University undergraduate Design Show. During the subsequent workshop and networking session, delegates and panellists spoke of the considerable expertise and range of research projects currently underway in this field within the WestFocus Universities.

Designplus could provide the basis for mutually beneficial links with industry; one of the remits of Designplus is to expand the levels of collaboration between industry and higher education.

The event was an important first in a number of ways.  It was the first time this diverse range of audiences with an interest in Medical Device Design have come together, the first time one of the WestFocus networks - Designplus - has addressed this vital theme and the first time this very specific group of people have come together to view undergraduate design projects in the field of medical device design.

So, as a first off event we have only really scratched the surface of the potential and the issues.  There is a lot to learn in terms of how to make these activities as useful as possible.  To paraphrase a point from Jim Dawton, 'to move from networking to practical collaboration -  and to accommodate our primary interests'.  However, we have already received plenty of informal feedback that this first off event was extremely successful in capturing a common interest, providing a forum for knowledge exchange and identifying a real desire to collaborate (on the right terms).

We are in the process of writing up a full account of the evening.  In the mean time the following have been identified as points for future consideration and development.

·        The strategic role of design in business and product development is developing and an important part of the UK's economic success.  The medical device sector as a whole can learn from best practice examples and through adopting design as an integral part of development activity.

·        Within the WestFocus universities there is a very considerable range of expertise and specific research projects in this field, which once seen and understood, can provide the basis for mutually beneficial collaboration. Or, simply, enriched knowledge. Which in it's self can be used for practical advantage.

·        IPR and regulatory frameworks form very significant barriers to the notion of collaboration and to the effectiveness of our work in general.  Can WestFocus and this forum work to lessen the impact of these barriers, either at a detailed project level, or at a strategic level, through the lobbying power of the overall consortium? 

·        What practical mechanism's arising from this forum can be put in place to enable the transition from networking to collaboration.  Examples include; providing support for managing IPR and regulatory issues, support for marketing and business planning, access to user groups and issues for design and research work.

·        Design consultancy has a role to play, but beyond 'networking' what practical benefits for consultancy may there be within the WestFocus Designplus network?  Taking account of IPR issues, traditional fee based business models etc.