Assignment Brief:
In this TMA, you are asked to prepare a project proposal which involves an invention of passive rehabilitation technology for patients who undergo occupational therapy to immobilize their finger(s) as a result of acute injuries (such as bone fracture and tendon cut) or other medical conditions (such as trigger finger and mallet finger). Your proposal must include the following sections.
Question 1 Abstract In no more than 300 words
Concisely describe the specific aims, hypotheses, methodology, and approach of the project proposal including its importance to the furtherance of biomedical product development with clinical significance. The abstract must be self-contained so that it can serve as an accurate description of the project proposal understood by a non- scientific/medical audience.
Question 2 Background and clinical need
This section should include answers to the following questions. Keep the write-up to not more than 500 words.
(a) Give a title to your proposal.
(b) Evaluate the background and the significance of this clinical need. Identify the clinical need which the solution intends to fulfill.
(c) Examine the current solutions and their shortcomings.
(d) What is needed to address the problem?
(e) Discuss the requirements of the proposed solution
Question 3 Description of the invention
The invention has to be described by answering the following questions. Keep the write-up to not more than 1,500 words.
a) Describe the need and rationale for developing the proposed solution.
(b) Design the appropriate methods/approach and components of the solution, and describe how it works.
(c) Indicate direct competitors. How is the proposed solution better than existing technologies/products/services?
(d) Identify the value proposition of the proposed solution. How will the proposed solution benefit and be accepted by the various stakeholders (users, service providers/clinicians)? This can be from both clinical and economical perspectives.
Question 4 Intellectual property management
Formulate a clear intellectual property (IP) plan going forward with the ultimate objective of generating and enhancing the IP. Keep the write-up to no more than 500 words.
(a) Provide the relevant background IP for the proposed solution.
(b) Briefly describe the possibility of IP (if any) generated from the solution.
(c) Briefly explain how the IP is filed.