Abstract
Plastic surgery has origins that date back to 3,000 BC and although some devices and
techniques have withstood the test of time, the field has made much advancement through
the use of modern day technology and innovation. The combination of the two has led
to an array of advanced products we use in our offices and operating rooms on a daily
basis. These products may be used by the surgeon or the patient, may be small scale,
or sold en masse. The surgeon stands in a position of power, able to guide the progress
of the field as a whole, through new product development. Ideas for advancement are
just that—a thought—until put in the hands of an end user. This paper discusses the
steps that may aid you in doing so: idea generation, design feasibility, testing and
prototyping, pricing, distribution channels, marketing and sales, and seeking enablers.
Keywords
product - development - design - innovation - marketing - sales - prototype
