Reduce Risk, Increase Impact: Building a Smarter MVP in Medtech

Angus McLachlan is a mechanical engineer whose pursuits in electrical muscle stimulation for spinal cord injuries catapulted him into healthcare innovation. Today, as the co-founder of Liberate Medical, Angus is developing a non-invasive neuromuscular electrical stimulation device aimed at strengthening the lung muscles of patients on mechanical ventilation. By synchronizing pulses with each breath, the device mimics natural breathing, keeping the lung muscles from weakening.

Angus’s journey with Liberate Medical is a lesson in inventive problem-solving. “In the early versions of the prototype, it's very important to work out the core, unique functionality with your technology,” he says. For Liberate, this was the synchronization of electrical stimulation with breathing. The team built an MVP concentrated on this essential functionality and left the secondary aspects, like user interface design, for later stages.

To build the first MVP, the team repurposed commercially available stimulators, integrating them with a custom-designed breathing sensor and timing algorithm. Angus shares, “We bought a bunch of stimulators that were already commercially available, and developed a separate device that essentially had the breathing sensor and algorithm that conveyed the timing for the stimulation.” By repurposing existing products, they not only circumvented the need to acquire safety certifications for their prototype, but also significantly reduced development costs and timelines.

The Liberate team even used an inexpensive 3D printer to create the user interface and the button pad for its first MVP, and although it didn’t look too chic, it enabled Liberate to commence its earliest clinical studies.

Dr. David Albert, an Oklahoma native, is a physician, inventor, and serial entrepreneur who has developed life-saving technologies and products over the last 30 years. AliveCor, founded by  Dr. Albert has become synonymous with personal ECG devices. Its product line includes a pocket-sized, AI-enabled, machine learning-powered ECG sensor that delivers real-time medical-grade heart data, allowing patients to manage and share data, as well as to connect with cardiologists for comprehensive cardiovascular care.

Dr. Albert knows how to be capital-efficient—with just $200,000, his team at AliveCor built fully functional prototypes and developed an app, too. Thanks to their frugal-yet-effective approach, they built AliveCor from a startup into a significant business.

Dr. Albert knows the power of a good prototype. “Talking can only get you so far. It’s showing something tangible that really makes people understand your vision,” he says, and it’s a lesson learned firsthand. When Dr. Albert was preparing for a consumer electronics show, he made an unscripted four-minute video of a prototype on a whim. “I just happened to click the box that said, ‘Send the link to my LinkedIn connections,’” he shares, “I had three or four hundred.” His video became a viral sensation, garnering 300,000 views in just two days and capturing attention from national media. ”I had ‘Good Morning America’ and ‘Fox and Friends’ and all these people calling me to come to CES,” Dr. Albert shares.

This was far from a lucky break. Dr. Albert shared the right content with the right audience. The professional network he had cultivated up to that point was obviously a substantial asset in making the video a viral sensation. But that’s not all—it highlighted another key principle: taking advantage of opportunities. “Keep your eyes and ears open for opportunities to advance your innovation,” he advises.

Parag Gad, a neuroengineer from UCLA, shares two key ingredients for building winning MVPs in the complex world of medical devices: a laser focus on core functionality and a data-driven development approach. He founded SpineX with the mission to translate cutting-edge scientific research into medical devices. Today, SpineX is developing devices that improve the lives of adults with neurogenic bladder conditions and children with cerebral palsy.

Parag shares two pivotal pieces of advice for building a successful MVP in the medtech startup space. Firstly, he cites Peter Thiel's concept from the book Zero to One, regarding a focus on defining the MVP, or more precisely, stripping it down to its bare essentials.

"What does the MVP need to embody? It may not be perfect or ideal and might lack some desired features, but it must fulfill its core function," he says. By asking the right questions, you refine your MVP to its necessary minimum. Reflecting on SpineX's initial alpha device, Parag admits that, though it seems rudimentary in hindsight, it was effective and served its intended purpose.

Second, Parag champions data as the ultimate decision-maker. "Continuously ask yourself, 'What is the data telling me?'" he suggests. The data could be clinical in nature, user feedback, or engineering-related. One’s own biases can cloud judgment, so basing decisions on cold, hard evidence and real-world insights is key. That’s why Parag encourages a relentless pursuit of evidence and information, urging entrepreneurs to be unabashed in asking questions and gathering the necessary information.

Kevin Goodwin, with his 30-year journey in ultrasound technology, is changing the way ultrasound devices are used in hospitals. His innovation began at ATL Technology, where he founded Sonosite, launching the first point-of-care ultrasound (PoCUS) device in 1999. This device stood out for its portability—a stark contrast to the traditional, stationary ultrasound machines confined to radiology departments. After Sonosite's acquisition by Fujifilm in 2012, Kevin co-founded EchoNous in 2015. Today, with the brand line Kosmos, EchoNous is utilizing machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) to provide more accurate and detailed results in heart lung, and abdomen assessments.

Unlike those seeking easy feedback, Kevin emphasizes the importance of engaging discerning, more critical customers right from the start. The more stern judges they are, the better. “Don’t look for ‘soft’ focus groups that will go easy on you,” he advises. “Instead, find customers who are tough graders but open to innovation.”

In his case, Kevin targeted cardiologists to get feedback on Kosmos. It was a group that had previously been overlooked in this space and presented the perfect challenge, as these professionals traditionally rely on basic, non-diagnostic equipment. He found willing participants for Kosmos among approximately 30 physicians across multiple disciplines in the U.S. and in a major hospital in Greece. The skepticism from the Greek doctors, particularly about the hardware's performance, provided invaluable insights into the future development of the product.

Today, the same Greek doctors who were initially skeptical, use Kosmos to confirm their diagnoses. “In some cases, it's been found to be more accurate than a doctor,” Kevin shares.

Dr. Alberto Rodriguez-Navarro, founder, president, and CEO of Levita Magnetics, is not just a skilled general surgeon with over a decade of clinical experience. He's an inventor with multiple patents and a clinical researcher with publications in peer-reviewed journals. At the helm of Levita, Dr. Rodriguez-Navarro is utilizing magnetic technology to make surgery less invasive. Their platform technology minimizes incisions, which translates to no visible scars, less pain, and faster recovery.

Dr. Rodriguez-Navarro’s first piece of advice is to collaborate with early adopters – those who can appreciate novel technology, even if it’s an ugly duckling for the time being, and can envision its future potential at the same time. These early adopters, especially physicians who are experienced with start-ups, are crucial for providing valuable feedback beyond initial impressions.

His second strategy is educating the stakeholders with tools—or, show, don’t tell. An MVP is essentially a tool for communicating what the product is and how it works. If you can find a good way to communicate your vision, it can endorse your prototype. "We create detailed and polished 3D animations that show not just the present but also a glimpse of the future," he explains. This leads the end users and other stakeholders to say, “Okay, it might look ugly now, but it will look like that in the future.” This visual tool helps the audience understand that the first prototype is just the start. It illustrates  the future potential of the product and sets expectations for the evolution of the technology.