Fast Iterations in Medical and Biotech Device Design
In product development, making a quick decision — even if it’s wrong — is often better than making no decision at all. A prototype in hand is worth more than two on the drawing board. The faster you can iterate, the faster you can refine and improve your design.
The Power of Fast Iterations
Fast iterations are a key strategy for accelerating product development, particularly in the medical and biotech industries. Time-to-market and regulatory compliance are critical factors. The core principle of this approach is to prototype and test as early as possible, allowing engineers to validate assumptions and identify potential issues before they become costly mistakes.
Since design engineers rarely have the time or budget to test every possible variable, they rely on a combination of educated guesses and engineering intuition. Vetting these assumptions early and efficiently is essential for a successful development process. By rapidly prototyping in materials as close as possible to the final design, teams can gain invaluable insights and make informed design decisions.
Prototyping Capabilities at CITO Medical
At CITO Medical, we empower our engineers to iterate quickly by providing direct access to a wide range of prototyping equipment. Our capabilities include:
- 3D Printing: We utilize FDM, SLA, and PolyJet technologies, allowing us to create functional prototypes with varying material properties.
- Machining: Our full machine shop enables rapid fabrication of precision components.
- Inspection Equipment: We ensure our parts meet specifications through rigorous testing and measurement.
While our competitors are still waiting for machining and printing quotes, we’re already making parts. A typical day at Cito Medical starts with removing fresh prototypes from the printer, assembling and testing them, identifying areas for improvement, modifying the design, and reprinting. This cycle repeats daily, allowing us to refine designs at an unmatched pace.
Fail Fast, Learn More, Improve
The key to successful fast iterations is embracing failure as a learning tool. By failing early, teams gain critical insights into their designs, helping them refine solutions more efficiently. Every iteration provides valuable data, leading to a more robust and reliable final product.
By prioritizing rapid prototyping and continuous improvement, CITO Medical ensures that we stay ahead in the fast-paced world of medical and biotech device development. The faster we iterate, the faster we innovate —and ultimately, the faster we deliver life-changing technologies to the people who need them most.
