• Login
    • Join
  • FOLLOW:
  • Subscribe Free
    • Magazine
    • eNewsletter
    Checkout
    • Magazine
    • News
    • Opinions
    • Top 30
    • Research
    • Supply Chain
    • Device Sectors
    • Directory
    • Events
    • Resources
    • Microsites
    • More
  • Magazine
  • News
  • Opinions
  • Top 30
  • Research
  • Supply Chain
  • Device Sectors
  • Directory
  • Events
  • Resources
  • Microsites
  • Current / Back Issues
    Features
    Editorial
    Digital Edition
    eNewsletter Archive
    Our Team
    Editorial Guidelines
    Reprints
    Subscribe Now
    Advertise Now
    Top Features
    6 Ways ERP Systems Help Medical Device Manufacturers Manage Risk and Profitability

    Machining & Laser Processing Have Huge Parts to Play in Medtech Manufacturing

    Medtech R&D Teams Must Be Creative & Resilient to Survive

    Struggling Suppliers in Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS)

    Deep (Brain) Thoughts with Medtronic's Neuromodulation President
    OEM News
    Supplier News
    Service / Press Releases
    Online Exclusives
    Press Releases
    People in the News
    Product & Service Releases
    Supplier News
    Medtech Makers
    Technical Features
    International News
    Videos
    Product & Service Releases
    Live From Shows
    Regulatory
    Financial/Business
    Top News
    PDC Unveils New Brand Identity

    MD&M West News: Teamvantage Launches New Parent Company

    BD Receives EUA from FDA for COVID-19, Influenza A/B, RSV Combination Test

    Qosina Names Lee Pochter as Executive Vice President

    FDA Okays Early Feasibility Study for Anteris' TAVR Product
    From the Editor
    Blogs
    Guest Opinions
    Top Opinions
    6 Ways ERP Systems Help Medical Device Manufacturers Manage Risk and Profitability

    Machining & Laser Processing Have Huge Parts to Play in Medtech Manufacturing

    Medtech R&D Teams Must Be Creative & Resilient to Survive

    Struggling Suppliers in Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS)

    Deep (Brain) Thoughts with Medtronic's Neuromodulation President
    Top 30 Medical Device Companies
    Market Data
    White Papers
    Top Research
    Deducing the Dual Reality of Elizabeth Holmes

    The Return of the AdvaMed MedTech Conference…Live!

    Material Matters: New Materials Call for New Thinking

    5 Ways to Maintain a Talent-Centric Mindset, Even During Economic Uncertainty

    The Changing Face of UK Medical Device Regulations: Most Recent Update
    3D/Additive Manufacturing
    Contract Manufacturing
    Electronics
    Machining & Laser Processing
    Materials
    Molding
    Packaging & Sterilization
    R&D & Design
    Software & IT
    Testing
    Tubing & Extrusion
    Cardiovascular
    Diagnostics
    Digital Health
    Neurological
    Patient Monitoring
    Surgical
    Orthopedics
    All Companies
    Categories
    Company Capabilities
    Add New Company
    Outsourcing Directory
    Arthur G. Russell Co. Inc., The

    Forefront Medical Technology

    Providence Enterprise USA Inc.

    Halkey-Roberts Corporation

    LEMO USA Inc.
    MPO Summit
    Industry Events
    Webinars
    Live From Show Event
    Industry Associations
    Videos
    Career Central
    eBook
    Slideshows
    Top Resources
    Onshoring Medical Device Manufacturing Can Strengthen Supply Chains

    How Artificial Intelligence Can Combat Key Issues Impacting Healthcare

    Why Advanced Sensors Are Crucial Within Medical Pumps

    How Artificial Intelligence Could Help Prevent 80% of Chronic Diseases

    4 Ways to Use Injection Molding in Medical Device Manufacturing
    Companies
    News Releases
    Product Releases
    Press Releases
    Product Spec Sheets
    Service Releases
    Case Studies
    White Papers
    Brochures
    Videos
    Outsourcing Directory
    Arthur G. Russell Co. Inc., The

    Forefront Medical Technology

    Providence Enterprise USA Inc.

    Halkey-Roberts Corporation

    LEMO USA Inc.
    • Magazine
      • Current/Back Issues
      • Features
      • Editorial
      • Columns
      • Digital Editions
      • Subscribe Now
      • Advertise Now
    • News
    • Directory
      • All Companies
      • ALL CATEGORIES
      • Industry Associations
      • Company Capabilities
      • Add Your Company
    • Supply Chain
      • 3D/Additive Manufacturing
      • Contract Manufacturing
      • Electronics
      • Machining & Laser Processing
      • Materials
      • Molding
      • Packaging & Sterilization
      • R&D & Design
      • Software & IT
      • Testing
      • Tubing & Extrusion
    • Device Sectors
      • Cardiovascular
      • Diagnostics
      • Digital Health
      • Neurological
      • Patient Monitoring
      • Surgical
      • Orthopedics
    • Top 30 Company Report
    • Expert Insights
    • Slideshows
    • Videos
    • eBook
    • Resources
    • Podcasts
    • Infographics
    • Whitepapers
    • Research
      • White Papers
      • Case Studies
      • Product Spec Sheets
      • Market Data
    • MPO Summit
    • Events
      • Industry Events
      • Live From Show Events
      • Webinars
    • Microsite
      • Companies
      • Product Releases
      • Product Spec Sheets
      • Services
      • White Papers / Tech Papers
      • Press Releases
      • Videos
      • Literature / Brochures
      • Case Studies
    • About Us
      • About Us
      • Contact Us
      • Advertise with Us
      • eNewsletter Archive
      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms of Use
    Online Exclusives

    Telemedicine and Connectivity to Drive Material Innovation in the Near Future

    The convergence of chemistry, electronics, and medical devices are resulting in solutions that improve the quality of life through disease detection.

    Telemedicine and Connectivity to Drive Material Innovation in the Near Future
    Automated assembly systems yield a more consistent finished product at higher volumes than a series of separate manual or mechanical operations can produce. Image courtesy of Web Industries Inc.
    Michael Barbella, Managing Editor01.04.23
    Bye bye, bacteria.
     
    Scientists have developed a promising new weapon in the war against hospital-acquired infections. UCLA specialists are fine-tuning an anti-microbial barrier they created for implantable medical devices using zwitterionic material and ultraviolet light. Zwitterionic substances are comprised of molecules that possess an equal amount of cationic and anionic groups, thereby rendering them electrically neutral.
     
    The UCLA team built the barrier by depositing a thin layer of zwitterionic material to a device surface and then bonding it to the underlying substrate through UV light irradiation. Early clin- ical results are encouraging—laboratory testing shows the surface treatment reduces biofilm growth by more than 80% and in some cases up to 93%, depending on the bacterial strain.
     
    “The modified surfaces exhibited robust resistance against microorganisms and proteins, which is precisely what we sought to achieve,” Richard Kaner, a UCLA Dr. Myung Ki Hong professor of Materials Innovation, and senior research author, told the university’s news service earlier this year. “The surfaces greatly reduced or even prevented biofilm formation. Our early clinical results have been outstanding.”
     
    Those results are based on 16 long-term urinary catheter users who switched to silicone devices containing the zwitterionic surface treatment. The modified catheter is the first product made by SILQ Technologies Corp., a UCLA spinout company Kaner founded out of his lab in April 2020. The catheter has been cleared for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
     
    Materials science is key to medtech innovation. New and improved manufacturing materials have led to advancements such as bioprinting, skin-friendly adhesives, shape memory plastics, bioactive glass (orthopedic repair), and bioresorbable stents.
     
    MPO’s materials feature examines the latest trends and challenges in medtech materials science, as well as the factors driving innovation in this field. Ralph Tricomi, director, market development; and Kevin Young, vice president, corporate development at Marlborough, Mass.-based contact manufacturer Web Industries Inc., were among the experts interviewed for this story; their full input is provided in the following Q&A:
     
    Michael Barbella: What are the latest trends in medical device materials? What factors are driving these trends? 
    Kevin Young: There is a convergence of chemistry, electronics, and medical devices in the development of solutions to improve quality of life through early disease detection and diagnosis of maladies. We are seeing greater integration of electrical circuits and multielectrode arrays (MEA) into flexible, medical-grade materials. These materials then are used in testing devices and medical wearables with increasingly sophisticated detection capabilities and digital connectivity. 
    Ralph Tricomi: This connectivity provides a link between medical devices and mobile apps, electronic medical records, and digital passport solutions. Today, many people are presenting paper vaccine records to access certain airports, restaurants and other gathering places. While this exists to some degree today, look for greater proliferation and more scenarios where the individual self-administers a diagnostic test, and the results are immediately read by a mobile phone app and then easily shared with their physician, employer, airline personnel, or even a restaurant host. This convergence of electronics and medical devices is coming together quickly.
     
    Barbella: What factors are driving innovation in medical device materials science?
    Young: There is a drive to detect and diagnose diseases earlier because it’s better for human health, improves outcomes, and lowers healthcare treatment and insurance costs. Diagnostic tests must offer both affordable cost and functionality, especially for successful deployment in developing nations. These factors motivate medical device manufacturers to find cost-effective, efficient manufacturing methods.
    Tricomi: The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the medical community’s acceptance and adoption of telehealth lateral flow rapid antigen diagnostic tests. There has been substantial financial investment in connected devices and diagnostics, including the materials required to make them.
     
    Barbella: How have adhesive medical materials evolved with the significant growth in medical wearables in recent years? 
    Young: The medical adhesive is crucial for multilayer laminated materials, and adhesive material suppliers are in touch with the market’s need for conformability, biocompatibility and, in some cases, transparency. For example, we work closely with OEMs to help them determine the optimal way to laminate different materials together. To help customers make multilayer products incorporating electronics, we have equipment to print on a substrate, do the multilayer lamination, and then die cutting, island placement or other converting processes. Advanced adhesives often are the method of choice to bond these layers together.
     
    Barbella: What material challenges are associated with medical device miniaturization and how can these challenges be overcome? 
    Young: Manufacturing automation makes it feasible to handle smaller substrates. Automated production lines often are in clean room environments, which ensures materials remain free from debris or contamination. 
     
    Barbella: How have materials suppliers managed the supply chain challenges prompted by the pandemic, and what lessons (changes) might they implement going forward to avoid future problems/issues?
    Young: The demand for materials for lateral flow immunoassay (LFI) devices has gone through the roof. These include materials for the LFI device’s sample pad, conjugate pad, nitrocellulose membrane, and backing card layer, to name just a few. Recently, the U.S. government made funding available to companies like MilliporeSigna to help them increase production of these critical elements because there haven’t been enough materials to meet demand. The supply chain is a critical component in fighting the pandemic, and this is one of many ways the government is supporting production of these critical LFI device components. To put things in perspective, consider that in Kalorama’s most recent In Vitro Diagnostics (IVD) Business Outlook, the research firm  predicted the IVD market would reach $117 billion, with 26% of the business related to COVID-19—and COVID tests didn’t exist before March 2020.
    Tricomi: Like others in the medical device value chain, material suppliers are looking at securitization and regionalization of their supply chains. This began in earnest in 2020 due to pandemic disruptions and continues due to follow-on problems impacting supply reliability and predictability. There are long lead times, labor shortages, and lack of infrastructure to move goods from point A to point B. Companies have learned a lot since 2020. Many see that stretched supply chains and global sourcing strategies can be a liability, especially if you’re chasing low-cost labor for materials. Businesses are rethinking their sourcing and supply chain strategies. They realize they can lose a lot of money if they can’t access their input materials. Whatever savings that were going to come from a low-cost manufacturing location could bequickly eaten up, impacting not only the bottom line but brand equity. We’ll see more North American regionalization of medical device supply chains as firms lock in predictable and secure sources.
     
    Barbella: In what ways has the COVID-19 pandemic spurred medical materials innovation, if at all?
    Young: Through the Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics (RADx) initiative, we’ve seen all sorts of new and innovative products for COVID detection. Many will have significant impact going forward for testing and diagnosis of other maladies.
     
    Barbella: How will medical materials science evolve over the next five years?
    Young: We’re going to see a continuation of this convergence of chemistry and electronics on flexible substrates to further diagnostics and aid in patient health and safety. At a recent JP Morgan medical conference, the CEOs of Abbott, BD, and Quidel discussed how their businesses are pursuing direct-to-consumer (DTC) strategies amid a paradigm shift toward at-home care and self-testing. Materials are a critical part of making these products. All three CEOs said they see opportunities for DTC digitally connected testing for diseases beyond COVID-19. The convergence of digital technology and medtech is happening. To facilitate this, material science is going to be critical in diagnostic tests. 
    Tricomi: I think it says a lot that Abbott Chairman and CEO Robert Ford was one of the keynoters at the 2022 Consumer Electronics Show (CES). The entire world has changed, and telemedicine and connectivity will continue having an enormous impact on the evolution of materials science and medical device innovation.
     
    Related Searches
    • Materials
    Related Knowledge Center
    • Materials
      Loading, Please Wait..

      Trending
      • The Future Of Biomedical Engineering Advancements
      • MO SCI Acquires Assets Of 3M’s Advanced Materials Business
      • CGM Devices Could Become Main Glucose Monitoring Solution In U.S.
      • Endologix Shares Positive 12-Month Results Of DETOUR-2 Trial
      • FDA Okays Early Feasibility Study For Anteris' TAVR Product
      Breaking News
      • PDC Unveils New Brand Identity
      • MD&M West News: Teamvantage Launches New Parent Company
      • BD Receives EUA from FDA for COVID-19, Influenza A/B, RSV Combination Test
      • Qosina Names Lee Pochter as Executive Vice President
      • FDA Okays Early Feasibility Study for Anteris' TAVR Product
      View Breaking News >
      CURRENT ISSUE

      January/February 2023

      • Struggling Suppliers in Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS)
      • Machining & Laser Processing Have Huge Parts to Play
      • Medtech R&D Teams Must Be Creative & Resilient to Survive
      • Medtronic Neuromodulation President, Nnamdi Njoku, Interview
      • 6 Ways ERP Systems Help Medical Device Manufacturers Manage Risk and Profitability
      • View More >

      Cookies help us to provide you with an excellent service. By using our website, you declare yourself in agreement with our use of cookies.
      You can obtain detailed information about the use of cookies on our website by clicking on "More information”.

      • About Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms And Conditions
      • Contact Us

      follow us

      Subscribe
      Nutraceuticals World

      Latest Breaking News From Nutraceuticals World

      Tocotrienols May Have Protective Effect on Liver in NAFLD Patients
      Indian Gooseberry Extract Shown to Offer Blood Sugar Management Benefits
      ADM Expands Production to Meet Demand for Probiotics
      Coatings World

      Latest Breaking News From Coatings World

      AkzoNobel Reports Revenue Growth in 2022
      Orion Engineered Carbons Announces New Distribution Partnerships
      Personnel Changes at BASF
      Medical Product Outsourcing

      Latest Breaking News From Medical Product Outsourcing

      PDC Unveils New Brand Identity
      MD&M West News: Teamvantage Launches New Parent Company
      BD Receives EUA from FDA for COVID-19, Influenza A/B, RSV Combination Test
      Contract Pharma

      Latest Breaking News From Contract Pharma

      Gerresheimer/Corning Announce Joint Venture to Meet Growing Demand for Velocity Vials
      KORSCH Acquires MEDELPHARM to Strengthen R&D Product Line
      SRI Names Kathlynn Brown Biosciences Division President
      Beauty Packaging

      Latest Breaking News From Beauty Packaging

      Kiss Colors & Care Taps Rapper JT as Brand Partner
      Revolution Beauty Expands into Walmart in the U.S.
      Macro-Environmental Factors Impacting the Packaging Industry
      Happi

      Latest Breaking News From Happi

      Perfect Corp. Receives MLPS 2.0-Compliant Status to Help Beauty and Fashion Brands Meet China's National Cybersecurity Standards
      Ocean Conservation Managers Convene for Fifth International Marine Protected Area Congress, Receives Private Sector Support From Mary Kay Inc.
      Mintel Reveals Macro-Environmental Factors Impacting Household and Personal Care Packaging
      Ink World

      Latest Breaking News From Ink World

      Heidelberg Well on Track after Three Quarters of FY2022/23
      Orion Carbons Announces New Distribution Partnerships
      DuPont Reports 4Q, Full Year 2022 Results
      Label & Narrow Web

      Latest Breaking News From Label & Narrow Web

      'Build Back the Wisconsin Paper Industry' event announced
      Magic Johnson to keynote Dscoop Edge St. Louis World Expo
      Norway's Digital Etikett grows with HP Indigo
      Nonwovens Industry

      Latest Breaking News From Nonwovens Industry

      Edgewell’s Sales Increase
      Mitsui Chemicals, Asahi Kasei Combine Nonwovens Businesses
      Hospeco Offers TaskBrand Prep-Paint-Finish Wiping System
      Orthopedic Design & Technology

      Latest Breaking News From Orthopedic Design & Technology

      OssDsign Launches New Product for Additional Surgical Procedures
      OSSIO Introduces Non-Permanent Compression Staple
      Dennis Jones Joins Intelivation Technologies as Manufacturing VP
      Printed Electronics Now

      Latest Breaking News From Printed Electronics Now

      Zebra Partners with Fundación Cardiovascular de Colombia
      Emerson Reports 1Q 2023 Results
      Identiv Expands NFC and HF Solutions Portfolio

      Copyright © 2023 Rodman Media. All rights reserved. Use of this constitutes acceptance of our privacy policy The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Rodman Media.

      AD BLOCKER DETECTED

      Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors.
      Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker.


      FREE SUBSCRIPTION Already a subscriber? Login