How to Cross the Border from R to D? The Example of Conception of New Medical Devices

The border between Research and Development for a new medical device is often unclear due to non-linear process of its development and frequent feedbacks from trials in clinical settings to a new conception of the product. Sometimes researchers under-estimate these translational studies since they do not lead to an increase of fundamental knowledge. However, and especially in the field of medical devices, users have to face specific difficulties due to the variability of the biological systems under study. Results obtained in translational research often depend on this variability and new questions or scientific obstacles arise from the confrontation to the real world. In order to address these new challenges, reverse translational research is required. Fundamental research is then fuelled by the results of translational research. A useful model of medical device development is presented here through several examples of translational research.