MEDevice 26 Fireside Chat: Creating Medical Devices That Are Truly All-Inclusive

Inclusive design in medical technology is frequently reduced to a discussion about skin tone. But as we learned in our recent fireside chat at MEDevice 2026 in Boston, the reality of inclusive design is far broader, and far more urgent.

When TAG CEO and TAG Awards Founder Justin Starbird sat down to explore the future of MedTech with the World Health Organization’s Kanika Kalra and OxiWare’s James Wood, we wanted to move past the surface-level industry jargon. We wanted to know what happens when you stop designing for the “average” patient, because, as Kanika pointed out, the average patient simply doesn't exist.

The conversation highlighted a critical tension: the trade-off between the desire for rapid innovation and the necessity of rigorous, inclusive testing. James Wood shared the story of OxiWare’s development process, where they intentionally chose to ignore traditional finger-based sensing models in favor of ear-based sensors. This wasn't just about technical performance; it was about acknowledging the real-world barriers patients face every day, from nail polish interference to mobility issues.

For the developers and engineers in the room, the takeaway was clear: inclusivity isn't an "add-on" that happens in clinical trials. It starts in the design brief.

However, the discussion also shone a light on the "governance gap." As Kanika noted, technology is currently outpacing legal frameworks, leaving developers and healthcare professionals with more questions than answers regarding liability and data accountability. We’re at a point where commercial interests and ethical practice are colliding, and the "checkbox" approach to regulation is no longer enough.

This talk serves as a reminder that the best products don't just solve a technical problem; they solve a human one.

WATCH NOW: