Driving innovations in Assistive Technologies: the Medical Device Partnering Program (MDPP)

Aims: The Medical Device Partnering Program (MDPP) was established in South Australia in 2008 to be an ideas incubator for growing the local health technologies sector.The unique engagement model aimed to leverage university research expertise to solve real world problems in collaboration with end-users, health experts and local industry. Based at Flinders University in Adelaide, the MDPP aimed to overcome the inherent challenges universities faced in contributing to the development of new medical devices and assistive technologies (ATs). The Program is unique because it focuses on the very early stage of device development, turning ideas into proven concepts. Results and Outcomes: The Program has developed reliable processes and tools that enable partners to rapidly work together under low risk conditions. It is able to leverage a diverse range of expertise to contribute to product conceptualisation, including health professionals, manufacturers, investors and service providers. The focused scale of 250-hour projects, combined with a 30-hour market evaluation, delivers tangible outcomes for clients. Since 2008 the Program has delivered 2 products to market; 11 patents; 11 products in clinical trials; 10 new SMEs; 33 job opportunities; 30 local manufacturing opportunities; and 13 opportunities for service providers. This presentation will highlight how the Program operates. ATs represent approximately 15% of the ideas developed through the MDPP, including mobility devices, technologies for improved independence and rehabilitation tools. The Program is expanding nationally in 2019, providing a great opportunity to highlight how a National MDPP model will engage end-users within the AT and ageing sectors.