Medical Delta Program ‘Medical Instruments Manufacturing: from Idea to Clinic (MIMIC)’

Advanced medical instruments and devices play a crucial role in modern healthcare. Minimally invasive instruments, for example, enable localized diagnosis and treatment with minimal impact on patients. Implants can replace or regulate organ functions, deliver drugs, or monitor health.

Translating new medical device inventions from research into clinical use is challenging. The Medical Delta program Medical Instruments Manufacturing: from Idea to Clinic (MIMIC) aims to increase the success rate and shorten the time-to-clinic for MedTech innovations.

MedTech innovation

MedTech innovation is intrinsically complex. Many research projects reach proof of concept but fail to progress to subsequent development stages or clinical application. Technical challenges are often the primary focus in the research phase, but successful innovation requires many more aspects to be considered.

A key challenge, particularly for invasive devices, is demonstrating clinical value. This requires small series of devices, manufactured to controlled specifications, for technical and clinical evaluation. At this stage, the design must be consolidated for manufacturing and testing, while regulatory requirements must be addressed. This makes the transition to clinical testing both technically demanding and relatively costly and risky. Ultimately, every MedTech product entering the market must comply with applicable regulations, such as the European Medical Device Regulation (MDR).

Innovators therefore need to navigate a complex process involving technology, manufacturing, clinical validation, regulation, and business considerations.

MIMIC Program

MIMIC is a Medical Delta program that aims to:

• Strengthen the knowledge base for MedTech innovation by developing a well-documented, systematic and multidimensional roadmap.

• Develop learning modules, templates and procedures that enable practitioners to apply this knowledge effectively.

• Improve access to expertise and technology and support their further development.

MIMIC focuses on the transition from medical device research to systematic product development, up to first clinical testing using small series. The primary target groups are researchers, clinician-inventors and students. The program focuses mainly on active invasive devices for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

MIMIC community

The MIMIC community connects researchers and innovators from University Medical Centres and universities with start-ups, institutional business developers, incubators and accelerators, engineering and manufacturing companies, and MedTech innovation experts. Strong links exist with education and research programs at MBO, HBO and WO level.

Information and contact

Interested in MIMIC or in participating in the program? Contact one of our core team members for more information.

E-mail Dr. Ir. Marcel Tichem: m.tichem@tudelft.nl