Custom Urology Model

juice the development cycle

The Challenge:

Create a kidney access testing model for R&D engineers to develop navigation instruments.

Model Design and Development:

The client asked for realistic kidney anatomy. Pulse MDM added context by including static internal organs, bony structures, and an anatomically representative clear back. The back was made with translucent materials so that using the model would not require cumbersome visualization technology. Soft clear ports with discrete openings for device deployment provide access through the skin without requiring replaceable parts.

Model Development:

The exact shape of the anatomy targets allowing navigation was very important to the R&D engineers. Internal shapes were created from client supplied CT scanned data and modified to suit the specific testing needs.

Model Benefit:

Using a custom-made, realistic feeling, the anatomy model early in medical device development facilitates the tried and true engineering advice “fail early, fail often”.

Let’s say you happen to have a kidney, in your drawer, you could test your newest ideas and try your prototype devices, endlessly. Over and over you could iterate. No approval from your internal IACOC board, no organizing labs, no waiting to try your new idea. You could easily test and discard ideas, not waste any time, and advance only those ideas that produce positive results. Engineers who commission Pulse MDM to make custom anatomy models to support device exploration in the early phases of the development absolutely ‘juice’ the development cycle.