Generating Ideas and Concepts - Medical Device Design: Innovation from Concept to Market - page 116

Table 6.11: Weighted Criteria Assessment for Measurement of Temperature

Rank (i) W1 W2 W3

Specification Item (n = 6)

1. Measure temperature from 0-40°C 1 92 100 6

2. Not toxic 2 75 80 5

3. Reusable after suitable sterilization 6 8 0 1

4. Low power consumption 4.5 33 30 1.5

5. Low purchase cost 3 58 40 3

6. Ability to transmit data 4.5 33 30 1.5

Total Score

Table 6.12: Weighted Assessment *

Specification
Item

W1 Mercury

Thermometer

Infrared
Camera

Thermocouple Temperature

Sensitive Gels

Integrated
circuit chip

1. Measure
temperature
from 0-40°C

92 9.2 (10) 9.2 (10) 9.2 (10) 9.2 (10) 9.2 (10)

2. Not toxic 75 0 7.5(10) 6(8) 5.25(7) 6.75(9)

3. Reusable
after suitable
sterilization

8 0.8(10) 0.8(10) 0.72(9) 0.08(1) 0.16(2)

4. Low power
consumption

33 3.3(10) 0.33(1) 1.32(4) 3.3(10) 2.64(8)

5. Low purchase
cost

58 0 0.58(1) 2.9(5) 4.64(8) 4.06(7)

6. Ability to
transmit data

33 1.32(4) 3.3(10) 2.64(8) 1.98(6) 2.97(9)

Total Score 14.62(34) 21.71(42) 22.78(44) 24.45(42) 25.78(45)

*Numbers in brackets are original scores before weighting.

three sharing the sequence would be 4.33, 4.33, 4.33, 7 (instead of 4, 5, 6, 7). Supposed we
used W1 as our criteria, how does that affect our choice of champion?

Once again the mercury thermometer falls out because of the zero, but its score is so low it
has to fail. Also, the front-runner is now clear ( Table 6.12 ).

6.6 Summary

This chapter has introduced you to the concepts of ideas generation and methods of selection.
We have seen how important the working environment is, and how important those you invite
to help you become. Several tools have been illustrated to help you generate ideas, concepts,
and solutions. To become proficient you must practice. Do not expect to be able to walk into