The Journey from Innovation to Commercialization: Unleashing Creativity in Surgery

Sergio Haimovich MD, PhD

A company unveils a new device. It might be an #innovation we desperately need or perhaps something that, though initially unfamiliar, soon becomes indispensable. Commercialization is the final step, but what is the intricate process that leads to it? What is the true source of innovation?

The answer is simple: #creativity. Creativity is the wellspring from which all innovation flows. Some individuals naturally possess high levels of creativity, and many of them channel this creativity into their professional lives, transforming ideas into tangible progress. In #surgery, creativity plays a vital role. It allows us to refine procedures, making them faster, safer, and more efficient. But how does this creative process translate into real-world devices that benefit patients and practitioners alike?

Creativity and Innovation in Surgery: A Lost Opportunity?

Surgeons often possess the most intimate understanding of the challenges and inefficiencies within their field. As a result, they are ideally positioned to generate ideas for improvement. Many of us have had flashes of inspiration—a better way to perform a procedure, an idea for a new device, or an improvement on an existing tool. Yet, for most of us, these ideas remain fleeting thoughts. Over time, they fade away, leaving a sense of frustration and unrealized potential.

Why does this happen? The answer lies in the lack of support, resources, and infrastructure. Creativity alone is not enough. Transforming an idea into a marketable product requires a multidisciplinary effort that includes engineering, financial investment, legal protection, and market analysis. These resources are often out of reach for individual surgeons, who already juggle demanding schedules and heavy responsibilities. The path from idea to innovation is dauntingly complex.

Until now, we have largely depended on the #research and #development (#R&D) departments of medical device companies to bring surgical innovations to life. However, this system is far from ideal. Only a small number of ideas ever reach these departments, and even fewer are developed into marketable products. Why? Because the medical device industry is selective. It prioritizes ideas that are not just promising but also well-developed, backed by data, and clearly aligned with commercial potential.

This exclusivity creates a significant barrier for surgeons with innovative ideas. Without the time or resources to fully develop their concepts, many ideas are lost. This is a tragedy—not just for the surgeons themselves but for the entire medical community and the patients who stand to benefit from these innovations.

The Role of Innovation Committees and Investors

In response to these challenges, the last decade has seen the emergence of hospital innovation committees and business angel meetings. These initiatives aim to nurture creativity within institutions and connect innovators with investors. Hospital innovation committees provide a platform for clinicians to present their ideas, offering initial support in the form of mentorship, funding, or collaboration with researchers and engineers. Meanwhile, business angels—wealthy investors seeking profitable ideas—have created forums where innovators can pitch their concepts in search of funding.

These efforts have undoubtedly helped. More ideas are reaching the development stage, and the medical field has seen a growing number of surgeon-led innovations. However, these initiatives alone are not enough. The scale of creativity within the surgical community far exceeds the support currently available. Many promising ideas still slip through the cracks, leaving a gap that must be filled.

The Unique Role of Surgeons in Innovation

As surgeons, we face a unique challenge. Unlike entrepreneurs in other fields, we often lack the time and flexibility to establish startups or navigate the complexities of product development. Our primary responsibility is to our patients, and the demands of clinical practice leave little room for the lengthy and resource-intensive process of innovation.

Yet, we are also uniquely positioned to innovate, specially during this new era of Artificial Intelligence (AI). We are the ones who encounter the limitations of existing tools and techniques on a daily basis. We see firsthand the opportunities for improvement and the potential benefits for patient care. Our creativity is a powerful resource—but one that too often goes untapped.

A Call to Action: Scientific Societies Must Lead the Way

It is time for scientific societies to step up and take a more active role in fostering creativity. These organizations are uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between individual surgeons and the resources needed for innovation. By creating programs that support creativity, scientific societies can unlock the full potential of their members and drive progress in the field.

Such programs would not only benefit society members but also strengthen the financial foundation of the societies themselves. Currently, many scientific societies rely heavily on financial support from the medical device industry. While this support is valuable, it also creates potential conflicts of interest and limits the independence of these organizations. By investing in innovation, societies can create new revenue streams that reduce their reliance on industry funding.

The benefits extend beyond financial considerations. Supporting innovation gives societies the opportunity to nurture the creativity of all their members, ensuring that no idea is lost to the constraints of time or resources. It empowers surgeons to turn their ideas into reality, creating solutions that improve patient care and advance the field of surgery.

The Global Community of Hysteroscopy : A Model for Innovation Support

One organization that has taken this challenge seriously is the Global Community of Hysteroscopy (GCH). Recognizing the untapped creativity within its membership, GCH is launching a program specifically designed to support innovative surgeons. This program offers services to help surgeons navigate the complex path from idea to commercialization, including:

? Idea Protection: Ensuring that surgeons retain ownership of their ideas and receive appropriate recognition and compensation.

? Negotiation Assistance: Facilitating discussions with potential developers (R&D departments) and investors to secure funding and partnerships.

By providing this support, GCH aims to ensure that every good idea has a chance to succeed. It’s a model that other scientific societies could adopt, creating a broader network of support for surgical innovation.

A Vision for the Future

Imagine a world where every surgical society has a dedicated innovation program. Surgeons with ideas could turn to their societies for guidance and support, knowing that their creativity would be valued and nurtured. Ideas that might otherwise fade away could be developed into tools and techniques that save lives and improve outcomes.

This vision is not just a dream—it is an achievable goal. It requires a shift in mindset, a recognition that creativity is a resource worth investing in. It also requires collaboration, with societies, hospitals, and industry working together to create an ecosystem that supports innovation at every stage.

Conclusion: From Creativity to Impact

Innovation begins with creativity, but it does not end there. To turn ideas into reality, we need a system that supports and nurtures creativity, providing the resources and infrastructure needed for development. Scientific societies have a crucial role to play in this process, acting as champions of innovation and advocates for their members’ ideas.

The Global Community of Hysteroscopy has shown what is possible when societies take this responsibility seriously. By protecting ideas, supporting development, and facilitating collaboration, they have created a model that empowers surgeons to innovate.

If you have an idea for surgical innovation, consider reaching out to your scientific society. And if you are a member of GCH, take advantage of their program by contacting them at [email protected]. Together, we can turn creativity into progress, ensuring that no idea is lost and every innovation has a chance to make an impact.

#innovation #medicaldevice #startup #creativity #surgery #artificialintelligence #AI