Our Innovation Laboratory is based on Stanford’s Biodesign method, formulated over two decades at the prestigious Stanford University. It is based on the formation of interdisciplinary teams for an experiential process of identifying unmet clinical needs, inventing new solutions, and implementing these ideas. A key component of the structured method is focused attention on the clinical needs’ finding and characterization, which differs from the traditional “tech-push” model (i.e., technologies looking for problems to solve). Following need characterization, the invention part takes place, followed by implementation. The Stanford Biodesign process can be applied in a wide variety of clinical areas or even in entirely different fields. Physicians play a vital role in the process, especially for needs identification and characterization. The Biodesign process that focuses on the unmet clinical need is ideal for a hospital sphere where the needs arise daily.

The process is divided to three main stages: Identify, Invent and Implement.

At the RMC Innovation laboratory, our purpose is to promote innovative solutions to global needs, recognized at the bedside. We have reinvented the design thinking method to our local needs, but at its core, the process is very much inspired by the Stanford Biodesign. Clinicians from all sectors and all disciplines of the hospital are welcome to discuss unmet needs, and undergo the process with our mentorship. During this process, we research the field, discuss objective parameters of the need’s innovative fundamentals –  population, stakeholder analysis, competitive landscape, business value, technical needs and specifications, IP and more. This process leads to brainstorming and in-house concept selection. The next phase is company launch!

J. G. Schwartz et al. (2016). Needs-Based Innovation in Cardiovascular Medicine. TRANSLATIONAL PERSPECTIVES. 1(6):541-547. DOI:10.1016/j.jacbts.2016.06.011