Innovation in medical devices : a case study of the coronary stent

This thesis presents a case study of introduction of the coronary stent into the percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) industry. The industry evolution is analyzed within the industrial life cycle framework developed by Utterback, Tushman and others. The coronary stent was first introduced in 1994, and has passed through all of the industry cycle stages: from a technology disruption stage to an incremental improvement. The interactions of the organization with the exterior environment and the technical development expertise, in combination, prove to be determining elements in an the stent manufacturer's likelihood for success. Relationships with the clinical personnel and practitioner are needed for design validation ( data for regulatory filings), design feedback, clinical acceptance of their products and to promote awareness of their products. Relations with clinical institutions and purchasing groups form distribution channels. This case study of the coronary stent industry provides an additional data point to compare actual industry practice against theory.

Department dc:contributor.department

Management of Technology Program.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2001

Author dc:creator

• Ostrowski, Susan M. (Susan Marie)

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Fiona Murray.

• Management of Technology Program.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/8917

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/8917