Illustration

Artifact Anchor

Intraosseous (IO) Insertion Simulator (3D-printed proximal tibia model)

Phase Focus

Early Development & Structural Positioning (Prototype Stage)

Core Question in This Phase

• What specific problem does this innovation solve?

• Where does it fit in the research-to-implementation pathway?
  
  

What Was Done in This Phase

• We identified a problem: unequal access to affordable and durable intraosseous (IO) training models.

• Example:
  A local hospital needed to retrain 500 nurses to perform the IO procedure on live patients.
  Commercial training models cost about $600 per nurse.
  These models include many features that the nurses do not need.
  The total cost was too high for the hospital.
  The hospital asked us to find a more affordable solution.
  
  

• We developed reproducible 3D-printed prototypes.

• We positioned the innovation within the larger health professions education system. We did not treat it as only a device.

• We clearly explained:

  • the problem

  • the gap in current solutions

  • why our innovation is needed
    
    

Structural Pattern to Notice

In early phases, the goal is not to prove impact.

The goal is to build a strong foundation.

We are creating one 3D-printed model.
But we are also designing a clear research pathway to:

• justify the work

• explain its value

• prepare for future use and adoption
  
  

A product becomes research when it is placed within:

• a clearly defined problem

• a justified gap

• the correct development phase
  
  

Staying disciplined at this phase prevents making claims too early.