StretChair

: The Commercialisation of a Medical Device from a South African University to Industry

Abstract

Various process models for industry, university and medical design and commercialisation exist. However, with regards to Emergency Medical Services (EMS) equipment design and commercialisation locally, the processes and procedures are not as defined, due to most models focusing only on the EMS operating/ dispatch system as well as ambulance compartment designs.

This study aimed to define an EMS (medical device) product commercialisation process from a university with the assistance of a local manufacturer, taking note of the various stakeholders, their procedures and the documents required throughout. This was achieved by compiling a theoretical process as well as documenting a process undertaken in practice. The theory process was obtained by analysing, comparing and combining all researched design and commercialisation process models into a comprehensive process diagram, taking note of all the combined processes’ procedures and requirements. The practical process for the StretChair outcome then commenced using the theory guideline, in order to test the effectiveness of the theoretical process. Once both processes were compiled, they were analysed, highlighting various benefits and challenges to the commercial process when compared. A synthesised commercial model was thus generated.

Designing and commercialising a medical device from a university, was therefore made possible by the university’s TTO’s involvement and the collaborating manufacturer. Medical device design and commercial requirements and processes are essential to identify together with the manufacturer ahead of time, as it expedites the commercialisation process by preparing applicable documents beforehand. Furthermore, although the TTO are influential in guiding and assisting the patent process, as a designer it is integral to be familiar with the patent process timelines and the specific patent filing requirements, prior to commencing the project.

As a result, undertaking a university commercialisation process in collaboration with an industry partner (manufacturer) within the medical field, is therefore a more cost effective commercial process (due to the university platform), with the added benefit of legal/ patent, business and marketing guidance throughout in order to produce a practical outcome from a university perspective.

Date of Award	2022
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	University of Johannesburg
Supervisor	Ashton Margarete Moseley (Chief supervisor) & Angus Donald Campbell (Co-supervisor)