Wayfaring in the Biomedical Sector: A Call for Re-Introducing the Toolmaker

Abstract

This thesis aims to provide an understanding of the Why? and How? of a modern toolmaker, specifically within the biomedical sector, on a theoret- ical and practical level and what their role is within a product development process. Over the four years of this PhD work, a total of ten projects were completed by - or with the involvement of - the author. Framed by the grounded theory, these project provide the fundamental data for the conclusions of this thesis. In addition, a total of thirteen scientific contri- butions were - and will be - published that cover the three cornerstones of the toolmaker: The role of users, the importance of prototyping and how to successfully do it, and how this is used in the biomedical sector.

The structure of this thesis is closely following the three essential stages of product development process as encountered when using the Wayfaring method: Orienting, Probing, and Bringing it Home. In addition to high- lighting key-insights from the projects to emphasize the importance of each stage, the thesis is following the development path of the main project, a novel flow-chamber setup for cell research that was developed by the author. This project allows to reflect on a complete product development process from paper prototype to patent-pending beta-version, with a focus on why the toolmaker made all the difference.

The conclusions of this thesis are, given the nature of the scientific method, of qualitative nature and address the initially stated questions of Why? the toolmaker had an impact in the projects and How? one can implement an according role within a product development team.