Judging of Medical Design Excellence Awards entries is conducted by an impartial panel of jurors—made up of clinicians, engineers, and designers—who carefully review all product submissions and narrow them down to a maximum of six finalists in each category. Based on jurors' scores, bronze, silver, and gold awards are given in each category, and an overall best-in-show product is named.

Although it is generally expected that there will be one bronze, one silver, and one gold winner in each category, there may be ties for some awards. Additionally, products much meet a minimum score in order to receive an award, and jurors may elect to present as many or as few awards as it deems merited by the quality and number of entries in each category.

• Design and Engineering Innovations
• Functional (User-Related) Innovations
• Benefits to Overall Healthcare
• Benefits to Patients      
• Differentiation in the Market