Agenda for improving the innovation process for medical devices

Improving and accelerating the innovation process for medical devices, particularly (active) invasive instruments: that is the aim of the Medical Delta program 'Making Medical Instruments: From Idea to Clinic (MIMIC)'. The year 2025 was the program’s first year. Three workshops laid the foundation for an agenda for the coming period.

The innovation process for medical instruments is complex. This is due in part to the many technical and non-technical aspects involved, including design, microscale manufacturing and clinical validation. A strong and diverse knowledge community is needed to facilitate the innovation process.

This community has been built, among other things, through three workshops. These workshops focused on the challenges involved in medical device innovation, as well as ways to overcome barriers. More than 25 organisations from the medtech research, innovation and industrial sectors are now involved.

Developing a framework

The Medical Delta program MIMIC focuses particularly on the early innovation phase: from the research stage and the transition to a systematic development process through to the first clinical results. An important aim of the program is to develop a framework that identifies the knowledge required and the stakeholders involved in the innovation process.

In 2026, the program is focusing on defining such a generic framework for the innovation process of invasive medical devices. This framework will help ensure that the necessary systematic steps, considerations and all relevant aspects of the innovation process are taken into account. It will also provide guidance on the organisations, stakeholders and methodologies that can support the innovation process.

More information

Read the interview with the vocational education institution Leidse Instrumentmakers School (LiS) about its involvement in the program here "The instrument maker can talk to anyone" | Medical Delta