Description

Introduction:
Creating an endoluminal robot involves a collaborative effort from specialists across various fields, including medicine, engineering, business, and marketing. This workshop provides a comprehensive journey from identifying unmet medical needs to addressing design challenges, navigating regulatory frameworks, and exploring investment opportunities for commercial success. Each of the four segments features engaging talks, discussions, and Q&A sessions to deepen understanding.

S1: Identifying Needs and Designing Solutions:
This section will feature an in-depth dialogue with medical professionals about the existing challenges in endoluminal procedures that demand innovative solutions. The focus will be on the technical specifications necessary to meet these needs. Presentations will explore current practices in endoluminal procedures, examining both the medical instruments in use and their limitations, including an overview of medical robots in both research and development stages and those available commercially.

S2: Essential Design Considerations:
Building on the discussions in S1, this section examines critical design aspects: the latest in control strategies for autonomous tasks, the role of vision systems in supporting autonomy and clinical judgment, and the use of smart/soft materials to develop cost-effective, functional medical devices.

S3: Navigating Medical Standards and Investment Opportunities:
This expanded section focuses on two critical aspects:
1. The regulatory landscape, including ISO certifications, Quality Management Systems (QMS), and EU regulations—understanding their role in facilitating the development of autonomous medical devices.
2. Strategies for attracting investments, featuring talks from leading investors such venture capital firms. Experts will share insights into funding pathways, pitch refinement, and aligning with investor expectations to secure financial support for innovative technologies.

S4: Exploring Commercial Prospects:
This final segment brings together industry experts to discuss the commercial landscape of medical robotics. Key topics will include intellectual property (IP) strategies, customer engagement, financial challenges, and effective marketing strategies for entering the competitive medical robotics market.

Programme

The programme will be published in May.

Learning Outcomes

In this workshop, participants will gain a holistic understanding of the entire lifecycle of endoluminal robots—from conception to commercialization. Key learning outcomes include:

• Recognising unmet medical needs and understanding the necessary design parameters for robotic solutions, including emerging technologies.
• Addressing design complexities through advanced control strategies, vision systems, and smart material applications.
• Understanding ISO/QMS standards and EU regulatory frameworks essential for medical device development.
• Gaining practical insights into securing investments and navigating the commercialization process, with actionable strategies for engaging investors and key stakeholders.

Participants will leave equipped with the knowledge to anticipate challenges, leverage opportunities, and contribute effectively to the advancement of medical robotics.