The Cleanroom Ledger

From CAD to Catheter: How to Prototype Faster

Written by Mark Kiviahde | Nov 19, 2025 9:43:58 PM

Every med device engineer knows the feeling: the CAD model is perfect, the design is validated on paper, but the first prototype takes weeks—or months—to arrive. By then, deadlines have shifted, funding milestones loom, and the design team is already on revision three.

That’s where Pezo Solutions steps in. We bridge the gap between design intent and functional prototype, helping medical manufacturers go from CAD to catheter—fast.

Why Prototyping Takes Too Long

Traditional prototype timelines drag for a few predictable reasons:

  • Outsourced processes. Design teams send files to a third-party shop and wait for quotes, tooling, and setup.

  • Poor design-for-manufacture (DFM) feedback. Engineers get parts that don’t quite fit or perform as intended, triggering more revisions.

  • Cleanroom disconnect. Prototypes made outside regulated environments often need rework to meet validation standards later.

The result? Lost time, higher cost, and a long road to production.

Pezo’s Integrated Approach

At Pezo, design and manufacturing sit under one roof. Our engineers, machinists, and cleanroom specialists collaborate in real time—shortening the feedback loop between concept and creation.

We call it intelligent process design: every step, from CAD file to machined part to assembled catheter, is optimized for speed and compliance.

  • On-site Swiss and vertical milling for rapid precision parts

  • 3D printing for quick form and fit testing

  • GS 5T injection molding system for prototype overmolding

  • ELEVT™ modular workstations that simulate production ergonomics

The result is faster iteration cycles, better design validation, and a clear path from R&D to production.

Designed for Real-World Manufacturing

In the catheter world, a great prototype isn’t just about geometry—it’s about process. That’s why we prototype with production in mind.

Our engineers apply DFM principles from day one, ensuring every prototype can scale smoothly to cleanroom manufacturing. That means fewer surprises during validation and less wasted time in redesign.

The Payoff

A faster prototype isn’t just a faster part—it’s a faster launch.
For our medical device partners, Pezo’s integrated model has cut typical prototype lead times by 50–70% while improving fit, finish, and functional accuracy.

When funding rounds depend on proof of concept, those weeks matter.

The Pezo Way

We keep the volley going. We collaborate in real time. And we design as if the prototype is already bound for production.

That’s how Pezo helps manufacturers move from CAD file to catheter—and from concept to market—faster than ever.