Product development lessons from the Eyeborn experience

Abstract

Eyeborn is an innovative hydroxyapatite orbital implant used to replace the eyeball of a patient who has lost an eye. A prosthetic eye cap is fitted on the front of the Eyeborn implant, restoring the patient's appearance and improving his quality of life. This paper shares some of the lessons learnt during the development of the Eyeborn implant and the technology transfer to a South African SME, Cerdak (Pty) Ltd. Aspects such as the concurrent engineering approach , which required early involvement of all players, resulted in continuous inputs of medical experts Other activities such as clinical trials, patenting, development of the commercialisation model, identification of a marketing company and a manufacturer, accessing funding and contracting were planned well in advance.