Medtronic, the world's largest medical-device maker, has created devices to stimulate the brain and the heart, pump drugs, monitor blood sugar, repair valves, and stabilize the spine. The company needs a constant influx of new ideas to improve its products, and these ideas traditionally come from physicians.
To hone these ideas, Medtronic increasingly employs social-networking technologies within the company and also solicits solutions from inventors around the world. "We are now trying to use new technologies to tap sources of ideas outside of the regular landscape," says Mike Hess, the company's vice president of innovative excellence.
To read the full, original article click on this link: Harvesting Business Ideas from Inside and Out - Technology Review
Author: Emily Singer
