All articles by chris cox
chris cox
To outsource or not to outsource?
Some device manufacturers are cottoning on to the benefits that subcontracting to electronics manufacturing service providers can bring, but others are more reticent to take the plunge. Lavanya Rammohan, electronics and manufacturing research analyst at Frost & Sullivan, takes a look at the medical market’s outsourcing potential.
Leave nothing to chance: sterilising medical devices
The sterilisation of medical devices and their packaging is critical as the presence of a single microorganism on an instrument could have dire ramifications. Maetrics’ sterile products specialist Tracy Rennison debates the pros and cons of the various methods available.
Silicone valley: a biomaterial for med-tech
Silicone is consistently used as a biomaterial for medical device applications. Northern Arizona University’s Aaron Tabor and Robert Diller; Joseph Chinn, consultant to the medical device industry; and Robert S Kellar, president of Development Engineering Sciences, examine its current place in the medical technology sector.
Joint venture: plastic’s progress
The use of plastics in joint replacements has evolved dramatically over the past few decades, and work continues to develop materials that will render implants more durable and robust. In some quarters, however, the use of traditional metallic alloys is still preferred. Medical Device Developments spoke to plastics expert Dr Yash Khanna about the need to spread awareness of the materials under development and how well plastics perform compared with metals.
Keep it in the company: a trend towards in-house development?
Adefemi Adenuga, industry dynamics analyst at GlobalData, asks whether a recent decline in the volume and value of deals in the medical device industry points to a growing preference for developing in-house capabilities.
Get your motor running: medical equipment in motion
As medical device technology drives advancements in motors and motion control, Roger Hollis of Sharp Concepts explains how this behind-the-scenes aspect of the healthcare industry is, in turn, fuelling innovation in new medical equipment.
Reforming European medical technology regulation
New demographic trends and financial pressures mean that the European medical technology industry has to change. John Brennan, director regulations and industrial policy at Eucomed, announces the launch of a five-year strategy that aims to transform the sector by making it more efficient, cost-effective and truly sustainable.
Assume the correct position
Any surgical operation comes with many risks, but the most overlooked are those complications that arise from improper positioning of the patient. From pressure sores due to poor mattress support through to nerve damage as a result of use of the wrong type of stirrup, such injuries must be prevented. Patient positioning and pressure management expert Dan Allen tells Nic Paton about the consequences and treatment of these issues
Chain reaction: optimal logistics for shipping medical devices
The medical device and healthcare industries are heavily regulated from design to delivery. One key concern for the OEM is navigating regulations efficiently. The logistics process is no different. Ensuring devices are shipped efficiently allows manufacturers to deliver better customer service as well as saving money. Bruce J Stanley, a principal at the Stanley East Consulting Group, discusses the key methodologies and opinions on how the efficiency of logistics and supply chain can be optimised.
Chips with everything: microfluidics and diagnostics
Daniel Mark, Felix von Stetten and Roland Zengerle from the University of Freiburg consider the market impact of microfluidic lab-on-a-chip products in the field of point-of-care diagnostics, and argue that a microfluidic platform-based development approach and foundry-based manufacturing process are necessary to ensure their future competitiveness.