MEDICAL DEVICE OPERATIONS CHALLENGE

Submit Your Application

Whether you already have a startup built around solving one of the listed challenges or are excited to build a scalable company to address them, we encourage you to submit your pitch for a potential solution to one of the six challenge areas described below.

Challenge Statements

From mismanaged inventory to inefficient kit assembly, operational inefficiencies in medtech can cost more than money—they can impact patient care. The Medical Device Operations Challenge, led by ZeroTo510 in partnership with the Alchemist X, brought together operations leaders from Memphis-based medtech companies to identify shared challenges and drive industry-wide solutions. In this two-day Problem Discovery Workshop, we surfaced critical pain points in logistics, packaging, supply chain management, and more. These problem statements will now be shared with startups across the country, who will compete to solve them in the next phase of this groundbreaking initiative.

  • Challenge #1: Receiving/Inspection

    How might we streamline the process for receiving manufactured goods into inventory—inspection, data and missing info, clearing to finished goods.

    In a way that quickly and accurately captures inspection data, missing info, and identifies whether the product is cleared to move into finished goods—regulatory compliance; no additional labor; document that meet criteria.

    So that product can move to finished goods faster and reduce staff workload. 

  • Challenge #2: ASC Instrumentation

    How might we reduce the number of instruments needed in ASC surgery.

    In a way that a majority of surgeons believe the instruments fully support a surgery, as performed, in a cost-constrained ASC, and allows rapid turnover of cases; surgical outcomes and customer experience do not drop.

    So that instrument costs and shipping costs and instrument turnovers are reduced by X%. 

  • Challenge #3: Continuous Improvement

    How might we implement constant continuous improvement in our manufacturing, assembly and repair processes.

    In a way that requires no additional ME and QE or regulator burden/documentation changes and accommodates changing COO/tariffs and other regulations.

    So that process/organizations can save at least 1% daily, minimize production lead time, allow flexibility at manufacturing partners, maximize product margins. 

  • Challenge #4: Instrumentation Use Feedback

    How might we receive more/comprehensive performance-based feedback on our instrumentation usage, experience and feedback (not just complaints).

    In a way that is timely [within hours/days], no additional headcount, reasonable cost, properly differentiates between “Complaints” and feedback.

    So that issues can be fixed before they escalate/customers leave; we receive feedback for future systems; remove things that aren’t used. 

  • Challenge #5: Inventory Tracking

    How might we track sets/inventory in the field.

    In a way that allows sharing of inventory and inventory optimization, avoids hiring local inventory managers.

    So that we know what we have, where it is, meets customer expectations, meets inventory targets, reduces set build needs, reduces inventory investment. 

  • Challenge #6: Field Inventory Management

    How might we manage expired field inventory.

    In a way that allows for on-time shipment of new inventory, streamlined product flow and prevents back-orders.

    So that expired product is sent back to warehouse (and replacement product is shipped) prior to (potential) accidental use. 

Apply Today

Whether you have a solution to one of the listed problems that is ready for customers, a working prototype or MVP, under development, or just an idea, we highly encourage you to apply for the challenge.