MDI Program Alumni Speaks at Design of Medical Devices Conference
In 1952, the first electronic pacemaker was about the size of a table radio (an apt comparison for the day), was wheeled around on a cart, and required a patient to connect electrodes to their chest. In 2026, the smallest pacemaker available is the size of a vitamin capsule.
Like all forms of technology, medical devices evolve. That evolution was on full display at the Wearable Medical Devices session of the 25th annual Design of Medical Devices Conference.
Hassaan Khan, one of the session’s speakers and a 2017 graduate of the Medical Device Innovation program (MDI), is experiencing the evolution of medical devices in real time as the founder and CEO of H.L. Medical Systems. He's focusing his scientific skills, medical device know-how, and entrepreneurial drive on a mission of making clinical breast exams "consistent, defensible, and clinically actionable" through a device called the Myra Scanner.
"Preparing for [the session] was really just a reflection on H.L. Medical and why we're doing this," Khan said. "What I did was just kind of captured it, put it on paper, rehearsed it, and spoke too fast."
Product Iteration and Self-Separation
During the session, he shared insight on the development of the Myra Scanner. In its first iteration, the scanner was a rigid, uncomfortable cup that was unable to fit all types of breasts. Across three more versions, more and more issues were exposed by user feedback until the scanner eventually evolved into its current state. Entrepreneurs know the iterative cycle well, but it's not always an easy process. Personal separation, Khan said, is key.
"As an entrepreneur, self-growth is separating myself from the product..." he said. "My job is to iterate it as best as I can and not let some of the negativity be a reflection of me. It's growth as a person and as an entrepreneur."
Dr. Lars Oddsson, MDI faculty member and co-founder and CTO of RxFunction, has been able to see Khan's personal and entrepreneurial growth through the years. Oddsson was also on a startup journey while Khan was working through the MDI program, and he's excited to see some of the teachings, advice, and experiences he shared come back around several years later.
"I was on my entrepreneur journey as well during [Khan's time in the MDI program]," Oddsson said. "So it's cool to see that he picked up some nuggets from my experience and [the faculty's] contributions to it."
User Discovery and Next Steps
Looking back to the days of the MDI program, Khan is quick to acknowledge its importance in how he approaches problem-solving. During his presentation, he displayed a three-set Venn diagram showing the balance between the "customer job," "technology space," and "market trend." Before the MDI program, he said it was easy for his engineer brain to get overly focused on the technology space.
"The MDI program really opened my eyes to understanding the pain points, the user discovery, and the importance of talking to people," Khan said. "I learned all of that. I think the MDI program is revolutionary for me."
Nine years after graduating, Khan is still putting what he learned in the MDI program to work. As for what comes next, H.L. Medical Systems will conduct a preclinical study with the University of Minnesota and is shooting for a pre-seed raise of $1.5 million for beta development of the Myra Scanner. The company also has a partnership with Bethel University's physician assistant program for a beta test; the program will use the Myra Scanner as part of the training program, providing feedback on usability on patients. Assuming all goes well, 2027 will be the year of clinical trials, FDA submission, and launch.
During every step of the process, Khan said he's approaching each evolution with objectivity and honesty.
"I'm not going to raise money and put something out there that no one wants to use," he said. "What's the point of that? I want to make a difference. I want to save lives and catch breast cancer, and the only way to do that is to be honest with yourself and people."