While you are designing and investigating a new medical device, you will need to present the device to patients, physicians, investors, and the medical or mass media. One of the first investments in communicating to physicians is a high-quality medical illustration of the product. The illustration should demonstrate the benefit of the product in action. Communication research has proved that illustrations or photographs that show a product in action attract attention and convince customers to use the product. Creating an illustration at the early stage of product development will help you explain the product in an investment prospectus, clinical lectures, clinical and sales training, medical meeting exhibits, and medical media, including journals, books, newspapers, and television shows.
Medical illustrators, trained in art and anatomy, are available to help create attractive and clinically accurate illustrations. They are members of the Association of Medical Illustrators. A high- quality medical illustration will cost as much as $6,000 or more. You may,however, find an illustrator who will work for $3,000 or less. If your budget is small, you might also consider a black and white line drawing of the product in action, which could cost about $600.00.
Always approve a series of line or pencil sketches before you ask the illustrator to finish the drawing--you can freely make changes on the sketches. Be careful and critical when you view the sketches. If you properly examine and revise the sketches, you won't need to make expensive revisions on the final color illustration.