When the smell of bratwurst fills the air and the cool wind has just a bit of moisture in it, you may be traveling between the enormous halls at the Messe Dusseldorf Center in Germany. Anyone who has visited this event in the past knows the sheer volume of attendees and exhibitors, making it difficult to find a company that may be able to aid with an upcoming design or development project.

With this in mind, MPO presents its annual series of Q&A sessions with a number of supply chain companies exhibiting at the show. Perhaps Lumenous Device Technologies Inc. will have the answers for your current development idea and help you get to the finish line faster. We spoke with Todd Dickson, president, at the company to get some additional insights on what Lumenous does and how it may be able to serve you.

Sean Fenske: What technology or service are you emphasizing at Medica/CompaMed this year?

Todd Dickson: Breakthroughs for catheters are being achieved with the use of new, laser-cut shaft technologies. The upshot is efficiency and reliability. Lumenous is revolutionizing this space—optimization of mechanical properties, the death of delamination, e-beam/gamma compatibility, outstanding lubricity (certified PTFE-free), and even cost-reductions for challenging, complex catheters. Every stent or retriever we build requires high-performance delivery.

Fenske: What’s the most common challenge customers inquire about, and how do you address it?

Dickson: During R&D work, customers need rapid responsiveness, of course. However, they really want to know how to boost the value of each design iteration. Speed and engineering value in each iteration are both key. The rocket fuel in the Lumenous R&D Turbo is our outsize expertise with insider collaboration.

For success in serial manufacturing, savvy customers ask about process capability. Six Sigma is the key to our stable flow, which generates fuel for the customer’s future.

Fenske: If you could give one piece of advice to companies seeking a manufacturing partner before they make a decision, what would it be?

Dickson: Check whether they just operate a process or dominate the space. Look for new process and equipment development, process research, process testing, product testing and analysis, and horsepower in metrology. Ask what more they can bring to the project besides just narrowly addressing the topic you are focused on today. A big scope of expertise brings tools to help manage your risks and boost success.

Fenske: What are the forces driving medical device manufacturers to seek your technology/services over doing it in-house?

Dickson: Lumenous customers recognize their competitive edge comes from dominant, top-notch partners with the necessary know-how to ensure success. These days, that success demands those partners provide a full-scope of expert support and proactive recognition of potential customer pain points. The result is winning scenarios that generate devoted customers.

Fenske: In what ways is your company able to aid in getting a product (project) to market faster?

Dickson: Lumenous’ new product development structure anticipates the next phase and addresses it during the current phase. By activating global integrated teams and priority prototyping lines, we get more done sooner.

Lumenous Device Technologies Inc. is located at Medica/CompaMed in Hall 8B, Booth/Stand K10.