Cardiac Pacing Leads
Start-up embedding sustainability at the early stages
Cardiac Tech
Client: Cardiac Tech is a venture-backed medical technology startup developing solutions to improve outcomes for patients requiring temporary cardiac pacing following surgery. From the outset, the team recognised a growing clinical and procurement need to reduce the environmental impact of existing pacing systems without compromising patient safety or clinical performance. They partnered with Pd-m to explore how sustainability could be embedded into both the product and the wider business model at an early stage.
Approach: Our work began with insight development and life-cycle thinking, examining how current pacing cables are used, disposed of and reprocessed. Working closely with clinical teams, we mapped real-world workflows and identified opportunities to move from a single-use, linear model to a circular, multi-use system. This informed early concepts that balanced usability, manufacturability and regulatory feasibility.
Challenges: Transitioning a safety-critical medical device to a reusable model introduced complex challenges. These included managing infection control, maintaining electrical integrity across multiple uses, and ensuring compatibility with existing hospital infrastructure. Alongside this, we undertook product carbon footprint analysis to understand where material and process changes would deliver meaningful environmental benefit.
Deliverables: Pd-m delivered a series of concept designs supported by industrial design, DFM principles, life-cycle analysis and carbon reduction planning. Detailed CAD, CMF strategy and 3D printed prototypes were used to communicate usability, durability and sustainability credentials to clinicians, investors and stakeholders.
Impact: The project demonstrated the viability of a reusable pacing cable system capable of significantly reducing waste and carbon impact while maintaining clinical confidence. This work helped Cardiac Tech embed sustainability into its core proposition, supporting ongoing development, stakeholder engagement and future fundraising as the technology progresses toward clinical trials and manufacture.
“Pd-m’s team was incredible to work with. They are true partners who understand the importance of sustainability and innovation in healthcare. We could not have taken this crucial step forward without them”