The development is part of an integrated ecosystem enabling sustained, research-led development
Life
Pictured: Aoife Duffy, University of Galway; Tom Shiel, Medtronic; Prof David Burn, University of Galway; Prof Ted Vaughan; Institute for Health Discovery and Innovation; and Dr Emer Feerick, Medtronic
University of Galway has recently launched its new Medical Device Prototype Hub, supported by medical device company Medtronic.
The development of the facility is part of the five-year €5 million signature innovation partnership between Medtronic and the university, announced in 2023, which focuses on three pillars: developing the MedTech ecosystem, STEM engagement and research.
“University of Galway is creating the ecosystem in which our partners in research and innovation can thrive. We look forward to celebrating the the breakthroughs and successes that this initiative enables,” professor David Burn, president of University of Galway, said.
The Medical Device Prototype Hub forms part of the Institute for Health Discovery and Innovation which was established in the University in 2024, as part of the signature innovation partnership. It will be further supported through collaborations with government agencies and industry leaders.
The Medical Device Prototype Hub sits within University of Galway’s new Technology Services Directorate, which provides shared research infrastructure and technical expertise to underpin activities across both the Institute for Health Discovery and Innovation and the Institute for Clinical Trials, established in 2024 and 2023 respectively.
The Hub will be further enhanced through partnerships with government agencies and industry leaders, creating a collaborative environment that supports translation, innovation, and regional growth in life sciences and medical technologies.
The development is part of an integrated ecosystem at University of Galway which enables sustained, research-led development further positioning Galway as the centre of Ireland’s global MedTech hub and the university as integral to research for the public good on the world stage.
“Medtronic has deep roots in the west of Ireland, and this facility strengthens a shared commitment to advancing research, accelerating innovation, and developing the next generation of medical technologies,” Ronan Rogers, senior R&D director at Medtronic, said.
He added: “this hub will unlock new avenues for discovery and accelerate the path from promising ideas to real‑world medical solutions for patients.”
The Medical Device Prototype Hub has expert staff to facilitate concept creation, development and manufacturing of innovative medical device prototypes.
The team offers a comprehensive suite of services to support early-stage medical device innovation, including both virtual and physical prototyping, enabling rapid design iteration through computer aided design, modelling and simulation.
The Medical Device Prototype Hub provides a full service, one-stop, solution for 3D printing needs, which includes a host of expert-led design, printing and consultancy and is equipped with state-of-the-art additive manufacturing technologies for validation of prototypes.
Patryk Goron