Redistributed manufacturing to support field medical care
Aims
The aim of redistributed manufacturing (RDM) is to bring production closer to the point of clinical use thereby enhancing the capability to deliver immediate and optimised medical care. Additional benefits include reducing logistical burden and costs, and improving supply resilience.
The aim of our preliminary investigation was to scope potential RDM technology innovations with an emphasis on support to field medical care. Three key imperatives were selected:
increased freedom of movement, agility, flexibility and robustness
reduced resource utilisation and complexity, increased independence and potential modularisation
enhanced field care, sustainable, scalable and remote technologies.
Methods
Our investigation followed a qualitative, narrative, mixed-methods approach. An academic working group was created with representation from health tech innovation teams, design, engineering, logistics, medical textiles, cell therapies and device manufacturing. Initial workshop discussion was focused upon a number of ‘real-life’ scenarios through which a process of analysis was carried out in the following domains:
existing capability gap
scientific and engineering feasibility
financial metrics
patient and end-user focused outcomes
regulatory considerations.
Results
The following output clusters were identified:
personal protective requirements (‘left-of-bang’ concept)
manufacturing, infrastructure and logistic requirements
RDM products: bio-pharmaceutical, cell and tissue therapies, and additive layer manufacturing technology
training and skills, and governance.
These clusters were aggregated and refined against the initial requirements to establish a series of priority work packages as shown in Table 1.
Conclusion
Our preliminary investigation and analysis has produced a clearer understanding of the role of RDM within field medical care and areas for further exploration and exploitation of relevant technologies. Our primary objective was achieved to produce a detailed description of the technology and innovation applications for field medical care in a range of clinical scenarios and situations.
The main learning from this process has been the appreciation of the incredible potential for RDM and related technologies to provide enhanced capability and improved resilience with reduced reliance on supply logistics. The potential academic and practical impact is significant and will have the ability to transform field medical care in the future.
Acknowledgements
This work was based on research funded by an EPSRC grant (Ref. EP/P010660/1), led by Prof Phillips at UWE Bristol, Prof Medcalf at Loughborough University and Prof Dalgarno at Newcastle University and close participation from staff at the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine, University Hospitals Birmingham.
- © Royal College of Physicians 2019. All rights reserved.
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