At HEI, we use a highly evolved, phased product development process. The seven phases of design, development and manufacturing include:
Phase 0: Feasibility
Subsystem conceptualization and feasibility demonstration-design concepts are explored, and various technologies are demonstrated with principle models.
Phase I: Requirements
Expansion and refinement of existing specifications:
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Conduct baseline planning for engineering design
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Develop project documents (Product Requirements, Product Development and Quality Plan (PDQP), System Risk Analysis)
Phase II: Design
Detailed design and documentation are completed and include electrical, software, systems and mechanical design.
Phase III: Pre-Production Prototypes
All testing is performed in accordance with verification protocols.
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Prototype units are produced
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Printed circuit boards are assembled
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Prototype mechanical components are fabricated
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Software for device control and user interface is developed
Phase IV: Early-Production
Early-production initiates the transition into manufacturing. This process ensures each unit meets clinical testing requirements.
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Design is finalized
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Units are produced in a cGMP environment with final tooling and procedures
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A Manufacturing Quality Plan (MQP) is created along with manufacturing assembly, inspection and test procedures. Completed systems are tested to verification testing plans
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A Device History Record (DHR) is completed, along with any manufacturing documentation required for regulatory requirements
Phase V: Pilot Production
The pilot production of a statistically significant number of devices is built in a cGMP environment. The performance and quality of the units are verified according to the MQP, DHR’s while manufacturing documentation is developed and completed. After the manufacturing process is validated, a full production schedule is then developed.
Phase VI: Full Production
Full-scale production of cGMP compliant units along with verifying standard cost, delivering units for service and identifying and resolving out-of-the-box and field issues.
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