• 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
    Adding Fabrication Capabilities: Additive Manufacturing for Production Parts

    Delivering the Goods: The Evolving World of Combination Products

    Anxious Undertones: The 2019 Year in Review

    From Art to Science: The Changing Face of Extrusion

    Exact Science: A Micromolding Roundtable
    OEM News
    Supplier News
    Service / Press Releases
    Online Exclusives
    Press Releases
    People in the News
    Product & Service Releases
    Supplier News
    Technical Features
    International News
    Videos
    Product & Service Releases
    Live From Shows
    Top News
    Viant to Halt EtO Sterilization at Michigan Plant by End of Year

    Grifols Introduces its First Plasma Protein-Based Biosurgery Product

    RSNA News: MaxQ AI Expands Partnership with GE

    RSNA News: MaxQ AI to Offer Accipio Applications on Blackford Platform

    Levita Magnetics Reaches 1,000th Magnetic Surgery Milestone
    From the Editor
    Blogs
    Guest Opinions
    Top Opinions
    Adding Fabrication Capabilities: Additive Manufacturing for Production Parts

    Delivering the Goods: The Evolving World of Combination Products

    Anxious Undertones: The 2019 Year in Review

    From Art to Science: The Changing Face of Extrusion

    Exact Science: A Micromolding Roundtable
    Top 30 Medical Device Companies
    Market Data
    White Papers
    Top Research
    From Genome Sequencing to the World’s First Portable MRI

    An Update on Digital Health

    ‘If You’re Reading This, You Need to Be at This Meeting’

    Five Steps for Succeeding Globally in Medtech

    Unlocking Market Doors with Real-World Evidence
    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
    All Companies
    Categories
    Company Capabilities
    Add New Company
    Outsourcing Directory
    Glenbrook Technologies Inc.

    Zeus

    Cadence Inc.

    Marox Corporation

    Carclo Technical Plastics
    MPO Summit
    Industry Events
    Webinars
    Live From Show Event
    Industry Associations
    Videos
    Career Central
    eBook
    Slideshows
    Top Resources
    How to Minimize Color Variations in Your Medical Device

    Don’t Touch: Gesture Tech Is Reshaping How We Interact with Devices

    Revenue-Based Financing: A New Form of Growth Capital

    Pre-Filled Safety Syringes and the Self-Administration Trend

    6 Ways Machine Learning-Enabled Virtual Assistants Can Serve Doctors and Patients
    Companies
    News Releases
    Product Releases
    Press Releases
    Product Spec Sheets
    Service Releases
    Case Studies
    White Papers
    Brochures
    Videos
    Outsourcing Directory
    Lyons

    K-Tube Technologies

    Aran Biomedical

    Halkey-Roberts Corporation

    RJG 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
    • Top 30 Company Report
    • Expert Insights
    • Slideshows
    • Videos
    • Podcasts
    • Resources
    • eBook
    • 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
    Features

    Once or Again? Single-Use Products Are Gaining Attention

    Bolstered by recent study findings and their infection control prowess, the single-use device market is primed for growth.

    Once or Again? Single-Use Products Are Gaining Attention
    An assortment of single-use check valves. Image courtesy of B. Braun Medical Inc. OEM Division.
    Once or Again? Single-Use Products Are Gaining Attention
    Ambu received FDA clearance last March for the aScope 4 Broncho, its newest version of the single-use bronchoscope. The device was launched in Europe and Asia in September 2017. Image courtesy of Ambu.
    Related CONTENT
    • Qosina Adds New Bonded Extension Lines to Its Inventory
    • Qosina Announces E-commerce Website Update
    • Sounding Board: 2018 Reflections and Looking Ahead
    • Off-Shelf to In-House: Upgrade in Material Enhances Customer Satisfaction
    • Qosina Introduces New ISO 80369-7 Compliant Needleless Injection Sites
    Michael Barbella, Managing Editor04.03.19
    Timing is everything, as Hesiod once said.

    The ancient Greek poet didn’t state it quite that way of course, preferring instead to use language more befitting a didactic artist: “Observe due measure, for right timing is in all things the most important factor.”

    Important, indeed. Timing has repeatedly proven itself to be a critical factor in determining success or failure in life, love, and livelihood. Consider for a moment, the role timing played in a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) investigation of contaminated bronchoscopes.

    The probe occurred in 2015, around the same time a deadly superbug outbreak linked to dirty duodenoscopes thrashed hospitals in Chicago, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Seattle, and Madison, Wis. The outbreak killed at least half dozen patients in southern California and Washington State, and prompted FDA-ordered manufacturer reviews on effective duodenoscope cleaning/disinfection techniques.

    The contaminated scopes dominated national headlines for weeks, and fallout from the outbreak continues as the FDA analyzes post-market surveillance study data on duodenoscope reprocessing. Preliminary results released late last year show higher contamination rates for the reprocessed devices, with 3 percent of samples testing positive for “high concern” disease-associated bacteria like E. coli or Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

    “Some factors that may contribute to device contamination after reprocessing include device damage and errors in reprocessing,” a Dec. 10 safety communication from the agency states. “The FDA is providing interim results...to inform patients, hospitals, and health care facilities of higher-than-expected contamination rates with duodenoscopes after reprocessing. Facilities and staff that reprocess duodenoscopes are reminded of the importance of manual cleaning prior to disinfection or sterilization and proper servicing of duodenoscopes.”

    Manual cleaning also figured prominently into FDA-recommended guidelines for bronchoscope reprocessing, as outlined in a 2015 safety communication that detailed the agency’s investigation of contaminated bronchoscopes. The probe was triggered by a considerable spike in 2014 Medical Device Reports involving bronchoscope-related infections and/or device contamination—an increase that went virtually unnoticed amid all the brouhaha over tainted duodenoscopes.

    Also helping the FDA bronchoscope probe slip under the radar was the lower infection risk the devices posed compared with their intestinal counterparts. The FDA said as much in its seven-page safety communication, but noted that bronchoscopes can still negatively impact patient safety.

    A study released last year validated the FDA’s public health concerns, finding that most reusable bronchoscopes—commonly used in interventional pulmonary procedures—are contaminated or damaged despite undergoing proper cleaning and disinfection processes.

    “The results are worrisome, as patients undergoing bronchoscopy are commonly at high risk for infection due to transplant status, critical illness, or immune-suppression due to malignancy or chronic disease,” the study cautioned.

    Funded by 3M Company and supported by sterilization product maker Healthmark Industries, the analysis examined 24 flexible bronchoscopes at three large U.S. hospitals (two contained transplant centers). All the devices were cleaned and disinfected in accordance with institutional practices (protocols included bedside pre-cleaning, leak testing, manual cleaning, sterilization, and high-level disinfection). 

    The study showed manual cleaning to be virtually pointless, as it failed to remove contaminants from any of the devices. Reprocessing fared better, but still left microbial growth on more than half the scopes (58 percent). All the devices displayed visible irregularities, including retained fluid; brown, red, or oily residue; scratches; damaged insertion tubes and distal ends; and filamentous debris in channels.

    Improper handling (nurses using bare hands) and unclean storage cabinets also could have contributed to the contamination found on the devices, researchers noted.

    While the analysis is not the first to document proof of cross-contamination in reusable bronchoscopes, it nevertheless exposes the shortcomings of current reprocessing techniques. The study’s authors suggest hospitals overcome those deficiencies by incorporating more single-use or sterilized scopes into their inventories.

    The same authors further bolstered the case for single-use/disposable medical devices in a second study released last month comparing the costs of sterile one-off bronchoscopes and their reusable facsimiles. Not surprisingly, the researchers found that hospitals pay more per instrument to disinfect and reuse bronchoscopes than they would purchasing a disposable version. The “real-world cost” for procedures using reprocessed bronchoscopes ranged from $281 to $803 for each instrument—comparable to the $300 list price for sterile single-use scopes, the analysis concluded. Researchers, however, believe the reprocessing tallies are grossly undervalued because they do not include costs associated with essential equipment such as leak testers, irrigation systems, AERs (automated endoscope reprocessors), and drying cabinets. The totals also fail to include personnel time for routine tasks, the authors reported.

    “Substantial resources were spent reprocessing bronchoscopes that reached hang time limits,” the researchers concluded. “Based on our bronchoscope reprocessing effectiveness study and this cost study, we recommend that all institutions consider...sterilizing bronchoscopes that are compatible with available sterilization systems; [and] obtaining single-use bronchoscopes for after hours and emergency situations and any procedures that do not require advanced bronchoscopy capabilities...” 

    In supporting the economics and safety of single-use/disposable bronchoscopes, the two studies invigorated a longstanding debate over the merits of one-off and reprocessed medical devices.

    Each option has its benefits: Disposables help lower costs, increase efficiency, and reduce the spread of infection, while reusables can reduce long-term medical spending, generate minimal waste, and uphold the quality of patient care.

    Both kinds of devices have played an integral role in healthcare delivery over the last several decades, respectively cultivating thriving industries with reasonably lucrative markets. The single-use sector, valued at $194 billion in 2017, is expected to grow 5.3 percent annually through 2024 to reach $279 billion, according to Zion Market Research data.

    The smaller reusables sector, by contrast, is forecast to balloon 15 percent over the same period to reach $5.12 billion, according to Goldstein Research. Major market drivers include the lower price of reprocessed devices (compared to new ones) and pressure to reduce medical waste.

    “The increasingly sophisticated nature of professional reprocessing companies results in advantages to hospitals such as a positive impact on medical device quality (data shows reprocessed devices fail less frequently than original devices), lower prices (up to half the cost of buying a device new), and less waste,” contends Daniel J. Vukelich, president of the Washington, D.C.-based Association of Medical Device Reprocessors. “Every time a device is reprocessed, there is one less [device] that must be created, sold, and disposed of. Medical device reprocessing, like generic drugs, provides a check and competitive market pressure to device costs and medical waste.”

    Neither the cost nor waste argument, however, is as clear-cut as it appears. While reprocessing seems to have built-in cost reductions (no need for brand new device purchases), there are less obvious expenses associated with these devices, such as hospital reprocessing charges, transportation, disinfection/cleaning supplies, packaging, and human resources. There also are ongoing costs—staff training, machine maintenance, inspections, and certifications—as well as unexpected outlays for treating device-related infections.

    Likewise, the ecological advantage of reusable products is clouded by the use of harsh chemical disinfectants (mercury and other sterilization byproducts are bio-accumulative toxins), and the environmental impact of milling steel. And while disposable devices can indeed be recycled, those that have been contaminated with blood, bodily fluids, secretions, or excretions are considered hazardous materials and thus must be disposed of as medical waste.

    One of the main advantages of disposable devices is infection control and prevention—a major coup in the age of value-based healthcare. 

    “The single most important question in healthcare today is how to improve patient outcomes with the resources available. And as the world population increases and life expectancy expands, the pressure mounts on hospital budgets, workflow efficiency, and ultimately, patient safety,” Lars Marcher, CEO and president of Danish single-use bronchoscope manufacturer Ambu A/S, stated last summer. Marcher’s firm received FDA clearance last spring for its latest disposable bronchoscope model, the Ambu aScope 4.

    “Flexible endoscopes raise specific problems because they are costly to purchase, reprocess, and repair; they are not always available when you need them; and their use risks exposing patients to infections,” he continued. “We believe the challenges flexible endoscopy should be addressed with single-use devices and for more than a decade, we have been harnessing the technology. Single-use endoscopy has proven its worth in pulmonary endoscopy and the next step is to bring the advantages of single-use to other clinical areas. There is no doubt in our minds that a new and sterile scope for each and every patient is a great step forward for modern healthcare.”

    It’s a smart step too, as the global medical disposables market will increasingly be driven by the prevalence of infectious disease, rising hospitalization rates, an aging population, technological advancements, and a continued focus on patient safety.

    To better understand this growing market and its role in the evolving healthcare landscape, Medical Product Outsourcing spoke with several experts over the last few weeks. They included:

    Tom Black, vice president, B. Braun OEM Division. B. Braun provides contract manufacturing capabilities focusing on fluid administration and admixture products, kits, valves, catheters and interventional accessories.

    Peter J. Randall, president/owner/founder of Middleboro, Mass.-based North Grove Enterprise, a supplier of manufacturing services and hand instrumentation for OEMs. Its single-use products include flexible light sources, bone and cement mixing/delivery devices.

    Scott Schoenborn, general manager of Sanmina, an integrated solutions provider within the global electronics manufacturing services market.

    Ken Wolcott, director of product development and marketing at Qosina Corp., a Ronkonkoma, N.Y.-based supplier of disposable OEM components to the medical and pharmaceutical industries.

    Michael Barbella: What trends are currently impacting the single-use/disposable medical device market? What factor(s) are driving these trends?
    Tom Black:
    The biggest trend in the medical device industry continues to be around reducing costs. We will continue to hear that companies selling into hospital organizations (GPOs, IDNs, etc.) will need to try and sell their products on the value they bring to the patient and the caregivers over the entire management of each patient. But with hospitals working on low margins/profits, the most pressing objective continues to be lower costs. The “commoditization” of medical products is a factor, too. We saw what was considered a shortage in the supply of medical solutions turn into competitive pricing for them and increased options for buyers very quickly. B. Braun is investing heavily into increasing the industry’s capacity for solutions so the shortage does not happen again to patients in need of basic hydration and/or nutritional requirements. From the contract manufacturing arena, we continue to hear customers need to reduce their overall spending in order to increase or at least maintain their margins. The want for bells and whistles has been over, replaced by the need for reduction of manufacturing costs without compromising quality or systemic value. Automation, where volumes justify, and low-cost manual assembly are a must to be able to remain busy in the contract manufacturing sector. Along with competitive pricing, you must be able to provide your partner with all of the associated documentation that is being asked of manufacturers in order for the OEM to support their regulatory requirements. And, the new European MDR is only going to add to that over the next two years. You must be experienced at all of the product development and quality programs in order to support your customers’ now basic needs.

    Peter J. Randall: I believe the largest factor is in driving down HAI (hospital-acquired infections). These products are typically provided sterile to the hospitals and can be more time-efficient to use over reusable devices that require cleaning and monitoring for functionality and cleanliness.

    Barbella: What are some of the emerging needs currently impacting the single-use/disposable medical devices market?
    Ken Wolcott:
    As a former medical design engineer, I have the perspective of relating to the many challenges engineers face daily. From Qosina’s viewpoint, we notice increased pressure on engineers to improve speed to market, keeping current with the latest material standards, and develop products quickly for new high-growth areas.

    To improve speed to market, engineers are constantly trying to streamline each development stage. Qosina is involved with engineering at the earliest stages all the way to production. For nearly 40 years, we have supported product development by providing free samples on most products. But times change and engineers need every edge to increase efficiency. So Qosina is offering user-downloadable 3D CAD models on its website. Now customers can easily input the model into their overall design to test form, fit, and function. This is a complimentary service that can save hours or even days.

    Keeping products in compliance with changing standards is unavoidable and an ongoing challenge. As mandatory deadlines approach for implementation of safer material changes or new ISO requirements, engineers must select components that are safe, reliable, and effective. An example of this is the emerging trend of ISO 80369 compliance. This standard centers around the very important topic of preventing misconnections between small-bore connectors used in a variety of applications.

    In an effort to improve patient safety, Qosina added a number of ENFit products to its inventory in recent years. ENFit is a line of enteral feeding connectors that meet the ISO 80369-3 standard, which has been developed by the International Organization for Standardization to reduce the risk of small-bore misconnections used in liquid and gas healthcare applications. Qosina continues to expand its ENFit line to meet the needs of clients’ enteral projects and can modify any existing component or build new tooling to suit exact requirements.

    Qosina also provides NRFit products that are compliant with ISO 80369-6, which addresses neuraxial applications involving the use of medical devices intended to administer medications to neuraxial sites, wound infiltration anesthesia delivery, and other regional anesthesia procedures, or to monitor or remove cerebro-spinal fluid for therapeutic or diagnostic purposes.

    Currently, Qosina is actively bringing in components that are ISO 80369-7 compliant, which specifies dimensions and guidelines for the design and function of connections used in intravascular applications or hypodermic connections, again intended to reduce the risk of small-bore misconnections.

    In addition to material and ISO compliance, we see an emergence of single-use disposable products for the bioprocessing industry. Qosina is a member of the Bio-Process Systems Alliance (BPSA), an organization focused on supporting single-use manufacturing technologies used in the production of biopharmaceuticals and vaccines. This space is emerging as end-users realize saving time and money on cleaning and validation is very important. Along with rapid turnaround between batches, single-use also reduces water and eliminates cross-contamination. Pharmaceutical manufacturers also have greater flexibility on the production floor when using mobile single-use designs over pre-existing stainless-steel facilities. Single-use equipment can be duplicated with less effort and cost and can help keep manufacturing closer to end-users. Stainless steel facilities take time to build, so single-use is cheaper and quicker. Qosina continues to add new bioprocessing components to support the growing need.

    Barbella: What challenges affect the development and manufacture of single-use/disposable medical devices? How does your company meet and overcome these challenges?
    Randall:
    1) Pricing—to be cost-competitive, products need to be manufactured and validated in high volumes in order to compete with reusable products, which typically have a life cycle of three to five years or longer before replacement. 2) Materials must be selected that can balance functional capabilities for a specific purpose but be minimal in cost and can also be sterilized in a cost-effective way. Some materials can be damaged using standard lower cost processes so therefore must use a higher and less affordable means to sterilize the product.

    Wolcott: Along with samples and 3D CAD models, engineers love easy access to documentation. Supporting documentation is a necessary evil to an engineer. Sure, we want to make sure we are specifying the correct part, but most of us do not enjoy the process of contacting each vendor to get the supporting documents for a regulatory filing or design history file. Qosina provides customers with free, web-based, downloadable detailed component drawings and material specifications that allow them to easily implement our components into their design.

    Barbella: What is driving innovation in single-use/disposable medical devices?
    Scott Schoenborn:
    Some of the innovation we are seeing is in the newer, engineered resins being used for medical devices. These are high performance plastics with unique characteristics. The combination of these new resins, with new molding technologies like zero compression molding, enable the fabrication of much smaller components with significantly improved mechanical performance. Zero compression molding preserves the molecular structure of some of these high-performance plastics during the molding process.

    Second, it is important to keep up with all of the specialty resins that have emerged over the past several years, especially those proven for use with medical devices. A customer may specify “polycarbonate” on a drawing. But the customer may not realize how many polycarbonate plastics are available, and all of their unique characteristics. These characteristics go beyond mechanical characteristics. For example, some components we fabricate transmit light. For a recent customer, we evaluated several polycarbonates to determine which resin had the right combination of optical and mechanical properties.

    Randall: Patient awareness and safety. It is much easier today for patients to navigate online and find information about procedures/trends/hospital and surgeon ratings. Also, companies continue to innovate and look for further opportunities that can create future value and provide additional revenues to build upon.

    Barbella: What factors are considered in the design of single-use/disposable medical devices? Have they changed in the past five or 10 years?
    Black:
    The factors considered in the design of disposable medical devices are the improvement of patient outcomes over the entire healthcare experience, including caregivers. If your products can reduce the overall spend for a hospital—in money and time—while improving the outcome of the patient and the time required for caregivers, then you should have successful results. It is also important to be able to maintain, if not reduce, your costs and pricing for as long as possible. Supply chain management is an essential practice for contract manufacturers in order to manage pricing, quality, and sustainability. Product changes are a drain on resources. OEMs want to use their resources for product development or enhancements, not for just maintenance of existing products. Being able to manage their existing business without creating noise is a must for contract manufacturers when servicing their OEMs. Product development must take into consideration the ability to maintain the product lifecycle with no risk to sustaining supply.

    Wolcott: The old mantra of “make it faster, better, and cheaper” seems to be relevant year after year in many industries. As medical device engineers, we always have to consider the regulatory requirements’ impact on lead times. As if that is not enough, rapid developments in healthcare treatment from competition puts pressure on us to go from prototype to launch in the shortest time possible. Scaling up from prototype to low-volume to high-volume may need to occur faster than ever before. Designing for scalability must be considered, so it is prudent to choose a supply chain that can adjust to your needs and provide support from product conception to large-scale delivery. 
    Related Searches
    • pharmaceutical
    • ceo
    • electronics
    • clearance
    Related Knowledge Center
    • Contract Manufacturing
    • Molding
    • Surgical
    Suggested For You
    Meeting Cardiac Stent Market Needs Meeting Cardiac Stent Market Needs
    Qosina Announces New Chairman of Its Board of Directors Qosina Announces New Chairman of Its Board of Directors
    Qosina’s Multi-Purpose, Single-Use Hand Instruments Are Ideal for Procedure Kits Qosina’s Multi-Purpose, Single-Use Hand Instruments Are Ideal for Procedure Kits
    Room for Improvement in Cardiac Stent Development Room for Improvement in Cardiac Stent Development
    Bioprocessing Components from Qosina Bioprocessing Components from Qosina
    Medical OEM Tubing Solutions from Qosina Medical OEM Tubing Solutions from Qosina
    Qosina Adds 40 Enteral Feeding Connectors that Meet the ISO 80369-3 Standard Qosina Adds 40 Enteral Feeding Connectors that Meet the ISO 80369-3 Standard
    Qosina Adds over 90 Compression Fittings Qosina Adds over 90 Compression Fittings
    Qosina Products Qosina Products
    Qosina Introduces Three New Needleless, Swabbable Injection Sites Qosina Introduces Three New Needleless, Swabbable Injection Sites
    Help Wanted Help Wanted
    Design Sophisticate Design Sophisticate
    Qosina Adds Closed Male Luer Lock Valves Qosina Adds Closed Male Luer Lock Valves
    Connected R&D Connected R&D
    Small Steps Small Steps

    Related Features

    • Contract Manufacturing | Materials | R&D & Design
      Delivering the Goods: The Evolving World of Combination Products

      Delivering the Goods: The Evolving World of Combination Products

      This extremely diverse market fosters relationships between medical device and pharmaceutical companies.
      Sam Brusco, Associate Editor 11.04.19

    • Materials | Molding
      Exact Science: A Micromolding Roundtable

      Exact Science: A Micromolding Roundtable

      In-vitro diagnostics and a shift toward point-of-care devices are creating a growing need for micromolded components.
      Michael Barbella, Managing Editor 10.09.19

    • Contract Manufacturing
      Assembling with Reliability and Repeatability Through Automation

      Assembling with Reliability and Repeatability Through Automation

      Progress in assembly and automation technologies enable manufacturers to leverage capabilities such as Industry 4.0 and IoT for medical device fabrication.
      Mark Crawford, Contributing Writer 09.09.19


    • Contract Manufacturing | Electronics | Neurological
      Shock to the System: An Examination of Neurostim Technologies

      Shock to the System: An Examination of Neurostim Technologies

      Targeted electrical nerve stimulation technology can aid in chronic disease management by improving on current treatment methods.
      Sam Brusco, Associate Editor 09.09.19

    • Cardiovascular | Contract Manufacturing | Diagnostics | Digital Health | Electronics | Neurological | Patient Monitoring | R&D & Design
      Customized Connections: A Discussion on Custom Electronics

      Customized Connections: A Discussion on Custom Electronics

      Demand for more complex, traceable, integrated solutions are driving innovation in the fast-changing medical electronics market.
      Michael Barbella, Managing Editor 09.09.19

    • Molding
      Time to Outsource Your Molding Needs?

      Time to Outsource Your Molding Needs?

      The advantages may make it worthwhile, but a company needs to understand the critical factors of the “make vs. buy” decision.
      Bob Bordignon, Vice President of Global Sales, MGS 07.30.19


    • Diagnostics | Materials
      Care Points: The Current State of Point of Care Diagnostics

      Care Points: The Current State of Point of Care Diagnostics

      Speed, convenience, and cost are driving innovation in the global point-of-care market.
      Michael Barbella, Managing Editor 06.13.19

    • Molding
      Cast in a Different Mold: A Medical Molding Roundtable

      Cast in a Different Mold: A Medical Molding Roundtable

      This mainstay in medical manufacturing is subject to material and technology advances as well as competition from newer fabrication methods.
      Sam Brusco, Associate Editor 06.13.19

    • Contract Manufacturing
      An Extension of Reach: A Discussion of Full-Service Outsourcing

      An Extension of Reach: A Discussion of Full-Service Outsourcing

      OEMs recognize outsourcing service providers as opportunities for cutting costs and improving time to market while maintaining quality of product.
      Sean Fenske, Editor-in-Chief 05.01.19


    • Cardiovascular | Surgical | Tubing & Extrusion
      Challenging Channels: Tubing Innovations Enable Greater Device Capabilities

      Challenging Channels: Tubing Innovations Enable Greater Device Capabilities

      Technical innovations provided by tubing suppliers fulfill the various needs of medical device manufacturers.
      Mark Crawford, Contributing Writer 04.03.19

    • Cardiovascular
      Free Flow: A Look at the Current State of Stents

      Free Flow: A Look at the Current State of Stents

      New designs and advancements in polymer technology are driving growth in the global coronary stent market.
      Michael Barbella, Managing Editor 03.07.19

    • Contract Manufacturing | Digital Health | Electronics | Patient Monitoring
      Electrifying Healthcare: A Look at Electronics Manufacturing Services for Medtech

      Electrifying Healthcare: A Look at Electronics Manufacturing Services for Medtech

      Demand for miniaturization and low power challenges EMS providers serving the medtech industry.
      Mark Crawford, Contributing Writer 01.30.19

    • 3D/Additive Manufacturing | Contract Manufacturing | Machining & Laser Processing | Materials
      Smooth Operator: Addressing Machining

      Smooth Operator: Addressing Machining's Talent Gap

      Skilled machinists must be cultivated through education and apprenticeships to gain complete knowledge of their tools and craft.
      Sam Brusco, Associate Editor 01.30.19

    • Contract Manufacturing
      Deciphering Dosage: A Focus on Combination Products

      Deciphering Dosage: A Focus on Combination Products

      Manufacturing novel drug delivery/combination devices requires partnerships between previously unlikely pairings of companies
      Sam Brusco, Associate Editor 11.26.18

    • Diagnostics | Surgical
      Past Dues: Medtech

      Past Dues: Medtech's 2018 Year in Review

      The industry confronted old ghosts in 2018 as it defended itself against a documentary and crammed for regulatory changes.
      Michael Barbella, Managing Editor 11.26.18


    Breaking News
    • Viant to Halt EtO Sterilization at Michigan Plant by End of Year
    • Grifols Introduces its First Plasma Protein-Based Biosurgery Product
    • RSNA News: MaxQ AI Expands Partnership with GE
    • RSNA News: MaxQ AI to Offer Accipio Applications on Blackford Platform
    • Levita Magnetics Reaches 1,000th Magnetic Surgery Milestone
    View Breaking News >
    CURRENT ISSUE

    November/December 2019

    • Adding Fabrication Capabilities: Additive Manufacturing for Production Parts
    • Delivering the Goods: The Evolving World of Combination Products
    • Anxious Undertones: The 2019 Year in Review
    • View More >
    • About Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms And Conditions
    • Contact Us

    follow us

    Subscribe
    Nutraceuticals World

    Latest Breaking News From Nutraceuticals World

    Sabinsa Gains Patent for LactoSpore Probiotic
    DuPont Launches Ingredient Solutions for Plant-Based Innovation
    The Mediterranean Offers Inspiration for Sports Nutrition Flavors
    Coatings World

    Latest Breaking News From Coatings World

    BASF Doubling Automotive Refinish Coatings Production Capacity at Jiangmen, China Site
    AkzoNobel’s Wanda Vehicle Refinishes Brand Celebrates 85th Anniversary
    Pursuit of Balance Inspires Pratt & Lambert’s 2020 Color of the Year
    Medical Product Outsourcing

    Latest Breaking News From Medical Product Outsourcing

    Viant to Halt EtO Sterilization at Michigan Plant by End of Year
    Grifols Introduces its First Plasma Protein-Based Biosurgery Product
    RSNA News: MaxQ AI Expands Partnership with GE
    Contract Pharma

    Latest Breaking News From Contract Pharma

    Recipharm, RedHill Biopharma Ink Commercial Mfg. Pact
    PCI Completes Expansion of Specialty Drug Product Capabilities
    IONTAS, Adaptate Enter Antibodies Alliance
    Beauty Packaging

    Latest Breaking News From Beauty Packaging

    Lancôme Inaugurates First Flagship in Paris
    Beautycounter Founder & CEO Testifies in House Cosmetic Reform Hearing
    Gina Boswell Joins Geltor’s Board of Directors
    Happi

    Latest Breaking News From Happi

    ChapStick Offers Holiday Surprises
    Rethink a Link Between Hair Color and Cancer
    Essie Rolls Out Quick Dry
    Ink World

    Latest Breaking News From Ink World

    Graphic Village Expands Offerings with Canon Solutions America
    Anvy Digital Reports Increased Revenue with SpyderX
    BASF Doubling Automotive Refinish Coatings Production Capacity at Jiangmen, China Site
    Label & Narrow Web

    Latest Breaking News From Label & Narrow Web

    Schreiner MediPharm and PragmatIC form strategic partnership
    Herma's labelstocks receive new certification
    MPS Systems North America relocating to Philadelphia
    Nonwovens Industry

    Latest Breaking News From Nonwovens Industry

    FiltXPO Speaker Line-Up Announced
    Nölken Incorporates Sustainable Wipes Packaging
    Optima Packaging Honored at Regional Competition
    Orthopedic Design & Technology

    Latest Breaking News From Orthopedic Design & Technology

    Viant to Halt EtO Sterilization at Michigan Plant by End of Year
    Synaptive Medical's Modus V Expands Into Spine Market
    3D-Printed Graftless Bone Transplants Go to Clinical Trials
    Printed Electronics Now

    Latest Breaking News From Printed Electronics Now

    Global Flexible Display Market Size to Increase at a CAGR of 28.1% Through 2025: GVR
    CPI Printed Sensors Project Aims to Reduce Cost, Increase Efficiency of EV Batteries
    Midsummer Receives New Machine Order from European Customer

    Copyright © 2019 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.