Design Management Group

Sustainable design of medical devices

Researcher: Laura Sutcliffe

This project aims to develop a tool for designers of medical devices that enables them to build sustainable dimensions into their products. The medical device industry is tightly bound by regulation, and designers are under pressure to design for many goals, of which sustainability is only one. Key to the project’s success is developing a tool that is usable and relevant, and that can make a tangible difference to the sustainable device of medical products. The tool takes a life cycle approach, and aims to address environmental concerns, without the need for a costly and time consuming life cycle analysis, and in a manner relevant to the medical world. It also integrates social concerns and in doing so incorporates more than just the environmental dimension of sustainability.

The tool is currently under development, and we are keen to hear from interested designers, practitioners, academics and other interested bodies.

Contact Laura Sutcliffe