NM-Q Medical Device Studio

The NM-Q Medical Device Studio is designed to enable Northwestern Medicine clinicians (physicians, nurses or other healthcare providers) to move from "napkin drawings" to initial prototypes, facilitating initial conversations and interest among clinicians, industry partners and/or investors.  The studio is supported by the NM Mansueto Innovation Institute and Northwestern's Querrey InQbation Lab.

Both institutions contributed $100k each to support four (4) projects which are selected by a committee consisting of clinicians and external experts.  Each project has up to $50k of allocated funding to support the initial prototyping build.    

An external product designer manages the projects from concept to prototype, helping to ensure device specifications are captured and translated for design firms to provide and execute a proper scope of work.  Where applicable, Northwestern will cover initial patent costs and help initiate steps towards commercialization through involvement in a Kellogg business course or introductions to medical device companies.

For more details and the application, visit this page.  

2025 NM-Q Business Research Fellowship

The Studio is offering FSM M3/4 students a unique opportunity to participate in the program as NM-Q Business Research Fellows. Over 10 weeks (starting the week of Aug 25, 2025), selected participants will be trained and mentored in conducting due diligence of a medical device application to support our selection committee. In pairs, the analysts will first understand the clinical problem, potential use cases, and device requirements. They will also size the top 2-3 markets and understand the competitive landscape. They will conduct primary research through customer discovery.

The commitment is approximately 6-8 hours per week (~2 hr weekly evening meetings and 4-6 hours of research). All meetings EXCEPT THE FIRST will be remote. To apply, complete an online application form (NOT YET AVAILBLE) and submit your cover letter and resume. The application deadline is July 25, 2025.

There is also an opportunity for NM Residents and Fellows to be engaged in this fellowship as well.  We are seeking for them to participate in the training process and to be a resource to the medical students.  Given their limited availability, NM Residents and Fellows will not be given the responsibility to produce the analysis but rather provide clinical context, be a sounding board, and/or offer clinical contacts for potential interviews (at NM or elsewhere) for the FSM student teams.

If you are interested or have any questions, please email Sonia Kim (sonia.kim@northwestern.edu).