Founded in 1949, Medtronic is a global leader in medical device technology to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life for millions worldwide. They are people-centered and data-driven to build the best-personalized healthcare and are committed to accelerating access to healthcare technology, advancing inclusion, diversity, equity, and protecting the planet.
Being able to demonstrate product features to doctors, in their offices, with our mobile microscope clip has been extremely helpful for increasing product adoption
Challenge
Develop a novel solution enabling Medtronic field staff to communicate the revolutionary features of their microscopic coronary devices.
Parameters
- Durable
- Functional
- Cost Efficient
- Production Quality Finish
Quantity
650
Size
50 x 50 x 22 mm
Volume
12.5 cm³
Surface Requirements
Smooth
Finishing
Dyed Blue
Material
Technology
Solution
A clip-on accessory that magnifies a mobile phone’s camera view of a Medtronic implantable device by creating a custom 3D-printed microscope, using LS Nylon 12, finished using our automated smoothing process and dyed Medtronic blue.
Medtronic, one of the world’s largest medical technology device companies, approached Midwest Prototyping (MWP) with a challenge. They needed a way to show their customers some extremely small products, devices inserted into cardiac veins of heart-failure patients. The solution had to be practical, functional, cost-effective, with a production quality finish.
Working in collaboration with MWP’s Additive Manufacturing Experts, they developed a simple clip-on mobile phone accessory with an affixed magnifying lens and clear mock blood vessel. An actual Medtronic cardiovascular device is inserted into the clear vessel. It then can be viewed at a microscopic level on the mobile phone’s screen, enabling the doctors who will be placing these tiny devices into patients to visualize the product’s features and understand its functionality easily.
Taking advantage of MWP’s automated smoothing process developed on the AMT PostPro3D platform, along with color dye capabilities, the team was able to produce a consumer-grade finished product. Using on-demand 3D printing, Medtronic can order precisely the number of units to meet their needs- helping their team inform and educate while building revenue and trust.
