ROBOTICS
The basics you need to know to make medical robots
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Medical robots and robotic devices bring complex challenges to the table. Manufacturers must be prepared to address them to bring a product to market.
M Bill Stearns | Intertek |
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Medical Design & Outsourcing
edical robots are complex, with lots of pieces and components: base stations, robotic arms, sophisticated software, instruments and integrated support equipment. These robotic subsystems are often designed and assembled by multiple teams, including software, hardware, medical professionals, integration and regulatory. These teams can be siloed within a company or spread out geographically. Medical robot makers also frequently subcontract subsystems or parts to other manufacturers. Medtech manufacturers need to pay greater attention and emphasize coordination to ensure they produce a successful complex device and avoid
5 • 2021
mistakes. Here are some best practices and ways to prepare for obstacles and overcome them. Communicate and document Everyone involved in developing a medical robot must communicate well from the beginning, and those communications must include everyone: designers, engineers, medical experts, programmers, robotics teams, R&D and compliance managers. Miscommunications and missteps can increase costs and waste time. From the start, manufacturers should establish, share and clarify the goal, expectations, responsibilities, timelines and deadlines to ensure the process is as smooth as possible. All teams should have a common quality system for a compliant design and
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