Prototyping and Product Design
Rapid prototyping and product design convert clinical requirements from combat casualty care, prolonged-field care, and austere environments into tested, scalable medical devices, consumables, and integrated systems. This capability integrates human-centered design, iterative engineering, regulatory pathways, and manufacturability to shorten transition from concept to fielded solution while maintaining clinical safety and performance.
Technical Challenges
Translating emergency clinical requirements (polytrauma, hemorrhage, blast injury) into robust, fieldable hardware
Balancing device performance with power, weight, and environmental resilience for austere and maritime settings
Accelerating design iterations while meeting DoD/DoD-unique regulatory and testing standards
Integrating data interoperability and cybersecurity into connected medical prototypes
Emerging Opportunities
Modular, lightweight hemostatic and resuscitation platforms optimized for prolonged evacuation timelines
Rapidly manufacturable, sterilizable components for damage-control surgery and remote procedures
Validated simulation and testbeds that replicate multi-domain (blast, biofilm, AMR) battlefield conditions
Streamlined supply-chain-ready designs that reduce logistics burden and enable distributed manufacturing
Current and Emerging Technologies in Prototyping and Product Design
Additive manufacturing and rapid tooling
High-resolution 3D printing for bespoke surgical guides, patient-specific implants, rapid jigs, and low-volume production lines that accelerate design–test–iterate cycles.
Human-centered design & simulation
User research, wearability studies, and high-fidelity simulation (mannequin, virtual reality, and live-tissue models) to validate ergonomics and procedural workflows.
Microfluidics and lab-on-chip
Miniaturized diagnostic and monitoring platforms for point-of-injury triage, infection detection, and therapeutics dosing with low power and small form factors.
Embedded sensors, telemedicine & edge AI
Integrated physiologic sensors, secure comms, and decision-support algorithms to enable prolonged and distributed care under delayed evacuation scenarios.
Materials science and sterilizable assemblies
Advanced polymers, antimicrobial coatings, and biofilm-resistant surfaces that improve device longevity and reduce infection risk in austere settings.
Importance to Military Medicine
Accelerates time-to-field
Shortens development cycles so lifesaving technologies reach Warfighters faster during evolving threats.
Enables prolonged and austere care
Designs focused on portability, autonomy, and durability support treatment when evacuation is delayed.
Supports readiness and logistics
Manufacturable, supply-chain-aware designs reduce footprint and increase deployability of medical capabilities.
Alignment with the MTEC Mission
Directly supports MTEC’s DoD-focused mission to move military-relevant medical technologies rapidly from concept to fielded solutions.
Bridges academic innovation, industry engineering, and clinical validation to meet Warfighter requirements and regulatory needs.
Prioritizes dual-use outcomes that yield civilian health benefits while maintaining military utility and readiness.
Dual-Use (Military + Civilian) Applications
Combat casualty devices (resuscitation, hemorrhage control, portable imaging) tailored for rapid deployment and ruggedization.
Prolonged field care systems combining monitoring, remote clinician support, and procedural adjuncts for delayed evacuation scenarios.
Regenerative and reconstructive prototyping for rapid-turnaround implants and surgical tools in theater and follow-on care.
Rapid diagnostics and biosensors optimized for point-of-injury triage, outbreak control, and force health protection.
Explore MTEC Members with Prototyping and Product Design Capabilities
MTEC members bring multidisciplinary strengths—clinician-guided requirements, engineering and manufacturing scale-up, regulatory expertise, and DoD testing experience. Explore member profiles to identify partners who can prototype, validate, and transition medical solutions rapidly into military and civilian use.
79 Members with Prototyping and Product Design capabilities.
SIMETRI is a woman-and-minority owned small business based in Winter Park, Florida, specializing in modeling, simulation, and training technologies. Founded in 2009, the company focuses on delivering innovative products and services that enhance the human experience and improve client outcomes through advanced training and program management analysis.
The Advanced Regenerative Manufacturing Institute (ARMI) is a member-based, nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the bioeconomy of the United States. Its mission encompasses enhancing manufacturing, healthcare, and education and workforce development, aiming to create a scalable and effective manufacturing ecosystem for engineered cells, tissues, and organs.
Nanohmics Inc. is a Texas-based research and development company founded in 2002, specializing in the applied sciences of light, molecule, and advanced material interactions. The company focuses on designing and developing smart technology solutions that enhance product, technology, or system performance across various industries. With a multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers, Nanohmics integrates advanced materials and state-of-the-art instrumentation engineering to create custom-engineered sensing technologies and platforms. Their mission is to accelerate client success through innovative product development, providing solutions for detection, surveillance, electro-optic imaging, performance characterization, environment awareness, and energy conversion applications.
At MILMED Connect, we design military medical (MILMED) R&D, innovate dual-use tech at the intersection of military and civilian medical applications, and connect you with an established network of trained MILMED R&D professionals. We've pioneered and refined these processes to efficiently accelerate your R&D funding and tech to new markets.
Ethos Solutions specializes in rapid problem solving in dynamic environments through the Ethos IDEALs (Identification, Define, Engagement, Alignment, and Leveraging). Ethos leverages module working groups (or cells) consisting of Subject Matter Expert (SMEs) clinicians, training cadre, warriors, academics, and researchers able to rapidly identify and solve problem sets that require a grounded approach forged in austere and dynamic environments.
Persistent Technology, Inc. (PTI) is dedicated to delivering transformative, human-centered solutions that improve patient care. With a focus on digital transformation and emerging technologies, PTI offers innovative solutions that enhance user adoption, improve data quality, and foster interoperability. The company is committed to supporting military and veterans' health, leveraging its expertise to provide cutting-edge healthcare technology solutions.
From Rapid Innovation to Breakthrough Impact, Bessel Helps Startups and Scaling Teams Move Faster, Smarter, and Together with Fewer Missteps. Experience Bessel Rapid Innovation: We embed with your team to rescue stalled projects or fill critical gaps. From R&D to Quality Systems to Regulatory Affairs, we drive rapid progress to reduce your burn rate and improve profitability. We help your team deliver measurable results: reduced COGS, decreased complaints, improved performance. Our Powered by Bessel™ Accelerator is an Intensive, fixed-duration programs to refine your technology strategy, align teams, and prepare for fundraising—perfect for startups seeking clarity and velocity. Save months in development, find your sweet spot with investors, build and support your team. The Bessel Origin™ workforce development program, born in the classroom, trains emerging medtech teams in design thinking and agile teamwork, fueling innovation. Boost team performance and identify, develop, and retain your emerging leaders.
JDSAT is a decision science company that fuses human insight with algorithmic precision to help organizations make faster, better-informed decisions, when the stakes are high, and the margin for error is low. We work across defense, interagency, and health sectors to build decision ecosystems that thrive in uncertainty. Whether you're leading transformation inside government or solving tough problems as a prime, JDSAT is your edge in complexity.
Harmac is a global contract design and manufacturing organization specializing in single-use medical devices. With over four decades of experience, Harmac provides comprehensive services including product design and development, advanced manufacturing, automation, value engineering, quality assurance, and packaging and sterilization. The company is known for its operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and commitment to sustainability and community engagement. Harmac operates facilities across the United States, Ireland, and Mexico, supporting customers worldwide and across a range of clinical applications. ISO 13485 Certified and FDA Registered.
PinMed, Inc., is a National Innovation Award-winning bioinformatics/medical-device company that develops high-fidelity cardiovascular monitoring systems, personalized (adaptive) software, and integrated systems and custom solutions for tracking cardiovascular data in the most challenging environments (e.g., intensive activity, extreme electromagnetic interference, and interventional cardiovascular procedures) and identifying subtle but clinically important indicators of cardiovascular events. PinMed’s award-winning solutions include versatile, multisensor, high-fidelity monitoring systems for various hospital and ambulatory settings. The company has extensive experience in electronic and mechanical engineering, development of software and firmware for various processors, computational modeling, and cardiovascular physiology. PinMed’s flagship mobile platform, PELEX, provides unparalleled versatility in physiological monitoring and has been cleared by the FDA for diagnostic 12-lead ECG testing and various types of ambulatory monitoring.
Tietronix Software, Inc. is a minority-owned small business founded in 1999, located in Houston, Texas, near NASA Johnson Space Center. The company specializes in providing innovative software solutions and services across various sectors including medical, aerospace, and renewable energy. Tietronix is committed to high quality, reliability, and customer satisfaction, leveraging a diverse workforce and a strong project management team to deliver complex, mission-critical systems.
Exponent is a multidisciplinary science and engineering consulting firm serving sectors including healthcare, energy, manufacturing, and consumer products. From medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and supplements to digital health and wearables, we deliver rigorous science that quantifies impacts on human health. Exponent helps you push the envelope on the development, deployment, safety, and effectiveness of cutting-edge drugs, devices, and diagnostics — concomitantly balancing benefits and risks. Count on our multidisciplinary, data-driven, evidence-based assessments to give you clarity on your most complex product needs and challenges. With lives on the line, innovations that support healthcare demand the highest levels of scientific rigor. Whether you’re developing a novel drug, a sturdier stent, or a faster flu test, you need clear answers to complex questions, quickly. Exponent supports our life sciences clients across the total product lifecycle by solving critical design, regulatory, safety, and market access challenges. We can collaborate with you throughout your journey, helping you navigate risks and opportunities — and optimize outcomes — with science-based strategies and specialized expertise.
EmergingDx is dedicated to inventing, developing, and commercializing emerging technologies and products aimed at improving the quality of the human condition while positively impacting the environment and society. The company comprises a diverse team of world-class scientists, engineers, product designers, and business leaders with a proven track record of innovation and successful technology transition.
Simbex is a leading partner in medical device and consumer health product design and development, recognized for transforming complex ideas into commercially successful solutions. With a multidisciplinary team, Simbex excels in engineering, product design, software, data analytics, and commercialization strategy, supporting innovators from concept to market. Their mission is to deliver impactful medical devices and consumer health products that improve health outcomes and quality of life. Simbex is known for its holistic approach, deep regulatory expertise, and commitment to innovation and excellence in the health technology sector. The company is also active in thought leadership, regularly publishing regulatory and reimbursement updates, and hosting educational webinars for the MedTech community. Simbex maintains a robust Quality Management System compliant with ISO 13485 and FDA 21 CFR 820, ensuring high standards in product development. The company is also committed to supporting diversity in MedTech, including initiatives for women in the sector. Simbex's leadership and advisory team bring decades of experience in biomedical engineering, commercialization, regulatory affairs, and technology innovation, further strengthening its position as a trusted partner in the MedTech ecosystem.
Via Product Development (Via PD) helps turn ambitious visions into successful products by providing expert guidance throughout the entire product development lifecycle. We specialize in electronics design and development, helping clients navigate from initial concept through to manufacturing. With a focus on clear communication, strategic planning, and technical excellence, we help teams reduce risk and accelerate timelines. We leverage deep industry expertise and strong partnerships to ensure optimal product-market fit and successful commercialization, particularly in highly regulated and technically complex sectors.

Arizona State University
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University of Pittsburgh
Topical Metformin Lotion for Tendinopathy Prevention
University of Pittsburgh study shows topical metformin prevents overuse tendon injury. This work was sponsored through MTEC project 22-02-MPAI-014.
Theradaptive
Theradaptive’s RESTORE Trial Initiation for OsteoAdapt™ DE
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Altec
Autonomous Rehabilitation Device for Improved Recovery in Warfighters
The OSCIR platform—developed by Altec Inc in collaboration with the Naval Health Research Center—is bringing clinical-grade, real-time movement analysis to the front lines. Funded under MTEC-22-02-MPAI