Frugal innovation for the medically undeserved
Frugal engineering drives new products for the unique needs of a target consumer base in lesser developed economies. In the history of medical innovation, advances in technology have been inextricably linked to increases in cost. However, we are at a unique moment in which the insular world of medicine is about to be penetrated by the remarkable frugal innovation, or reverse innovation, approaches providing effective functional solutions to common problems encountered by “the many” with a minimal use of resources. This is radical innovation.
(PWC’s Health Research Institute)
Frugal engineering drives new products for the unique needs of a target consumer base in lesser developed economies. In the history of medical innovation, advances in technology have been inextricably linked to increases in cost. However, we are at a unique moment in which the insular world of medicine is about to be penetrated by the remarkable frugal innovation, or reverse innovation, approaches providing effective functional solutions to common problems encountered by “the many” with a minimal use of resources. This is radical innovation.
To-date, four types of frugal innovations can be identified. Lean tools and techniques refer to the simplification and adaptation of existing technologies to drastically reduce costs and provide health innovations to everyone. For instance, General Electric’s MACi ECG and Rice University’s bubble CPAP are examples of devices tripped of superfluous functions that cost from one-half to one-fifteenth that of their average counterparts.
Opportunist solutions refer to the clever use of modern, cheap, and available-for-everyone technologies to tackle old problems. For example, 3D printers may remodel accessibility to medical devices by allowing virtually anyone to manufacture medical tools, from low-cost prosthetics to spare parts of equipment.
Contextualized adaptations refer to the diversion of existing techniques, materials or tools for completely different purposes. To demonstrate, Solarclave is a do-it-yourself autoclave made of a bucket containing a pressure cooker and a reflector consisting of 140 small mirrors arranged in a complex geometric way to concentrate and redirect sunrays towards the bucket, heating it up to 120 Celsius degree and achieving the physical sterilization standard of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Bottom-up innovations refer to original, simple – and even simplistic – ideas to obtain results unattainable before. The issue is that many frugal innovations remain local and rarely spread to others who might face similar challenges. For example, bicycle ambulances are a perfect alternative to care ambulances in places where cars are too costly and not adapted for the traffic density.
(www.frugal-innovation-medicine.com)
The Case of GE’s Vscan
Vscan™ is a handheld, pocket-sized ultrasound tool that provides real-time black-and-white anatomic and color-coded blood flow images at the touch of a button. Pocket-sized ultrasound devices offer clinical and economic value. It offers high-quality imaging that is indicated for abdominal, urological, cardiac, obstetric and pediatric scanning – helping you provides efficient patient care with fewer referrals.
Expel the Misinterpretation
In the meanwhile, PWC’s research on frugal innovation has warned that one prime pitfall is the risk of appearing to peddle lower-grade products. For example, if a company known for manufacturing houses that cost $100,000 suddenly appears on the market with $5,000 house, the logical assumption may be that the second house is simply an inferior version-in terms of quality as well as cost of the first. One way to combat that assumption is to carefully market your product to your desired market not as an alternative, but as a unique product that serves a function all its own. Your product should stand on its own unique merits.
Take-home Message
Leadership in medical technology innovation is slowly moving from developed to developing countries. Emerging-market countries such as China, India, and Brazil, despite comparatively weak healthcare system infrastructure, are quickly taking the lead in developing lean, frugal and reverse innovation. Faster, smaller, cheaper technological advances portend the future of medical technology. This is revolutionization of medical innovation.