The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights states that: “The States Parties to the present Covenant recognize the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health. This principle, enshrined in numerous international legal instruments, is a reminder that health is a fundamental right at the service of every individual. In a global context where public health is a major issue, improving the quality of care and access to better treatment are essential challenges for the future. Scientific and medical research plays a decisive role in this quest, and cooperates on an international scale to offer new solutions to patients.
R&D and Med Tech: a collaboration that requires equipment
In an ever-changing surgical environment, it is crucial to regularly update techniques in order to stimulate intellectual and technological renewal, and thus constantly push back the boundaries of knowledge and innovation. Research and development (R&D) units play a key role in this dynamic, continually seeking to improve patient care by proposing more effective and constructive alternatives. Indeed, clinical research and R&D in the MedTech field are fundamental pillars of innovation in healthcare, helping to redefine care methods by exploiting advanced technologies and scientific discoveries.
However, medical research is a long, complex and rigorous process, requiring appropriate means and resources to advance science in the service of patients. One essential aspect of this progress is access to high-quality equipment. Modern, high-performance equipment is essential for carrying out tests and realistic simulations, and validating hypotheses. In this respect, university hospital centers (CHU) are positioning themselves as leading innovation centers, with a mission to enrich research, stimulate the intellect and improve patient care. These institutions, in collaboration with medical teams, contribute to the advancement of practices and respond to contemporary health challenges.
In this context, R&D has become the backbone of medical progress. Through their work, research units are able to develop new methods and technologies, helping to push back the frontiers of medicine. However, for these advances to take shape, it is imperative to have the right equipment, capable of supporting rigorous research and guaranteeing reliable results, thus ensuring the relevance and reproducibility of research.
Another key to the success of Med Tech innovation lies in the ongoing training of healthcare professionals and researchers. Technological innovations can only be fully exploited if end-users – doctors, surgeons, nurses – are trained and made aware of new practices. In this respect, training centers play a vital role. They ensure that innovations are not only made available to patients, but that they are used optimally, in accordance with ethical and regulatory standards.
Collaboration between Med Tech companies and training and R&D establishments is therefore essential. It ensures that research and innovation translate into effective and responsible medical practices. These partnerships not only enable us to develop solutions based on real needs, but also to test their effectiveness in clinical environments before bringing them to market. What’s more, these interdisciplinary collaborations foster a dynamic ecosystem that accelerates innovation, making it possible to respond more rapidly to tomorrow’s medical challenges.
Medical publications: a key tool for future patient care
Medical publications are another fundamental pillar in the advancement of healthcare. They enable us to share research findings, deepen our understanding of certain pathologies and validate new therapeutic approaches. France ranks 7th worldwide in terms of medical publications, and is the European leader in terms of clinical research projects. This ecosystem is made up of three major players: research organizations (such as Inserm and CNRS), university hospitals and universities, all working in symbiosis to guarantee scientific and clinical excellence.
Just one example of the impact of current research in France is the study conducted by Émile Balandier, Laurent Vigouroux, Jean-Louis Milan, Thibault Poujade, and André Gay, on pulley repair using a direct suture technique. This study took place at Skylab, a center of excellence in medical training, R&D and congress organization, and was published in 2024 in Clinical Biomechanics. C his study demonstrates the importance of mechanical research for the surgical updating of orthopaedic procedures. Indeed, this technique, which does not involve autografting, has great potential for improving surgical results in terms of stability and regeneration of damaged structures:
“One of the most common climbing injuries is finger pulley ruptures. Depending on the grade of injury, surgery may be required. Conventional techniques are tried and tested, but they all use autograft to reconstruct the pulley and some side effects have been observed. The present technique, direct suture of injured pulleys, not using autograft, has a minimal footprint and a normal tendon -bone distance after healing. This study aimed to verify the postoperative stability of the pulley repaired with direct suture.
We performed rupture tests on the pulleys of 17 cadaver fingers via traction on the flexor tendons. Tests were carried out first on the native pulley and then on the sutured pulley. We measured the total tensile force and fingertip force and calculated the force of the A2 and A4 pulleys in each test.
We found a significant difference in force between native (334.9 N) and sutured (59.0 N) A2 pulleys and in all other parameters.
These results showed that direct suturing is a technique that allows the injured pulley to be properly positioned for regeneration with good stability but does not provide immediate resistance“(1).
Pulley reparation with direct suture technique: A mechanical study, Clinical Biomechanics (2024), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2025.106497
Similar studies carried out within the same training and research center demonstrate the importance of interaction between researchers, surgeons and industry in the evolution of surgical techniques and the improvement of care. In its first 2 years of existence, the center has had the privilege of hosting a number of surgical studies, including
- The Nantes Hand Institute for a study of trapezo-metacarpal anatomy
- The surgical team at the CHU de Nîmes on the section of the biceps in the shoulder groove under ultrasound.
- A medical team from Barcelona to analyze the section of the A0 and A1 pulleys for the treatment of finger springs under ultrasound,
- The biomechanics laboratory in Marseille for a study on pulleys.
Facilitating exchanges between researchers, surgeons and industry encourages the implementation of cutting-edge technologies that are constantly redefining industry standards. The example of direct pulley suture is a perfect illustration of the impact of this work on modern surgery, thanks to its innovative approach and promising results.
Tomorrow’s medical research and scientific publications will continue to transform healthcare practices and methods. Tomorrow’s surgeons will need to be trained not only in the most advanced techniques, but also in the latest discoveries and innovations. The integration of new technologies into daily practice, collaboration between interdisciplinary teams and commitment to ongoing research projects will be key to the evolution of surgical care. By adopting an increasingly scientific and rigorous approach, tomorrow’s surgeons will be able to respond more effectively to the medical challenges of our time.
Scientific and medical research is a long and demanding process, but fundamental to improving patient care. Thanks to access to cutting-edge equipment and a strong dynamic of medical publications, medicine is constantly progressing, providing ever more effective solutions adapted to patients’ needs. International collaboration and constant innovation in this field are essential levers for ensuring a future in which public health is at the heart of sustainable development, offering everyone the chance to enjoy the best possible state of health.
