121 Copyright © 2010, IGI Global. Copying or distributing in print or electronic forms without written permission of IGI Global is prohibited. Chapter 6 The Development of Emerging Medical Devices: The Lead-User Method in Practice Brian O’Flaherty University College Cork, Ireland John O’Donoghue University College Cork, Ireland BacKgroUnd This case outlines the experiences of three Post- graduate Innovation teams, students on a one-year taught masters programme that are required to ‘build products and services that don’t exist yet.’ The Masters programme, which targets technology graduates, includes a significant innovation compo- nent requiring the teams to validate market existence and develop a prototype and business plan with the assistance of an industry mentor. The students respond very well to the Lead-user Method, the 3M case study and the accompanying videos on Eric Von Hippel’s website. These research innovation teams were created to explore the potential role of wireless sensor network (WSN) technology in the medical area. The teams independently focussed on three distinct areas, namely: 1) Geriatric Falls Detection & Analysis; 2) Sport Cardiac Screening; and 3) Critical Care Vital signs within accident and emergency environments. Each of the teams oper- ated independently of each other as to not taint or indirectly alter one another’s perceptions of their individual application areas. Each team consisted aBStract This case study explores the application of the Lead-user method in the development of medical applica- tions based on Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) technology by three independent research teams. This exercise produced surprising results, with the emergence of diverse WSN technology product concepts applied to Geriatric Falls Detection & Analysis, Sport Cardiac Screening and Critical Care Vital signs within accident and emergency environments. This case highlights the segmented nature of medical areas and the diffculty in applying a generic WSN technology to meet the functional requirements of the broader individual medical domains. It questions the appropriateness of applying ‘total’ highly functional technologies broadly across highly specialised niche medical areas. DOI: 10.4018/978-1-61520-609-4.ch006