Using a seismic sensor to improve PET scan imaging: A new product development case study

Abstract

The innovation journey consists of a sequence of events that create, model and implement an idea. All of the innovation processes share some common periods, divergent and convergent phases and components. This paper presents an experimental innovation journey following the development of a novel application involving a MEMS accelerometer, typically used in seismic sensing, to improve PET scan imaging for medical diagnostics. The innovation process that was followed is compared with the theoretical stages mentioned in literature and insights about its nature and components are developed. The dynamics of learning and the various phases that constitute a typical innovation process are also addressed and their resemblance to the real life findings are discussed. The results show that the innovation journey follows the overall trend as expected albeit with some caveats.