Medical Device Technology back issues from November 2008:
MDT's five-minute interview.(the interview)(Interview)
Nov 01, 2008 ... Medical Device Technology's (MDT) series of interviews offers personal perspectives on the diverse and dynamic medical device technology industry. Here, we talk to Charlie Mulvihill. Q If I wasn't talking to you right now, what would you be doing? A I would be ...
The pump that also repairs hearts.(this issue: Developments across the industry)
Nov 01, 2008 ... A biologic ventricular assist device (VAD) has been designed with the ability to capture, grow and administer stem cells that will regenerate and restore damaged myocardium. A traditional VAD is used to partially or completely replace the function of a failing heart. The inventors at the ...
Managing supply chain risks.(this issue: Developments across the industry)
Nov 01, 2008 ... A management report titled "Managing Supply Chain Risks: Meeting FDA Expectations" gives advice on how to select, audit and monitor outsourcing partners to ensure quality problems are contained ...
A troubling volume of technology.(this issue: Developments across the industry)
Nov 01, 2008 ... New generation cardiac devices and monitoring products that utilise wireless networks are capable of sending data continuously or on a timed or exception basis. As use of these wireless-enabled devices increases with the growing population of cardiovascular patients, the amount of data ...
Defining nanotechnologies.(this issue: Developments across the industry)
Nov 01, 2008 ... A new guide to terms and definitions related to particles in nanotechnologies has been published. ISO/TS 27687:2008, Nanotechnologies, Terminology and Definitions for Nano-Objects, Nanoparticle, Nanofibre and Nanoplate, is intended to facilitate communications between organisations and ...
Targeting infection.(this issue: Developments across the industry)
Nov 01, 2008 ... Funding is available for research and development aimed at producing new rapid diagnostic tests and point of care devices for the detection and identification of infectious agents. The new Small Business Research Initiative has opened its Health pilot competition. Focused on pathogen ...
Free access to materials database.(this issue: Developments across the industry)
Nov 01, 2008 ... Smithers Rapra is offering complimentary access to an abstracts database that covers published research on bioderived resins, including polylactides, starches and natural fibres. It was originally provided to aid Biocomp, a European project ...
The role of nitric oxide in biocompatibility.(material matters column)
Nov 01, 2008; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Inflammation is a major factor in the development of the foreign body response to biomaterials and medical devices, including compatibility with blood, and the mechanisms are obviously complex. It has been realised recently that nitric oxide (NO) gas is ...
Trends in silicone tubing: silicone is the material of choice for many new applications. Those examined here include drug delivery and peristaltic pumps, pacemaker leads and tubing used in minimally invasive surgery and to deliver high pressure gases and liquids.(materials)(Cover story)
Nov 01, 2008; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Keeping pace with change A number of factors, including an ageing population, are putting greater demand on manufacturers for single-use medical equipment and innovative devices. In response, the range and complexity of devices that incorporate some form ...
Micro machining brain implant needle arrays.(design)
Nov 01, 2008; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A major challenge in the industry is the creation of a degree of control over electromechanical prostheses in severely disabled spinal injury patients or loss-of-limb patients. Of the many techniques being researched to alleviate disabilities and damage of ...
The challenges of packaging combination devices.(design)
Nov 01, 2008; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] This article focuses on the development of a packaging format for drug eluting stents where the package not only has to meet the needs of the stent, but also the needs of the drug incorporated into its polymer coating. The package has to allow the transfer ...
The evolving process of European combination product review, Part II.(regulation and standards column)
Nov 01, 2008; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A new European guideline on drug-eluting stents (DES) (1) introduces for the first time detailed information that European drug authorities should review concerning the medicinal substance that is incorporated into this type of drug-device combination ...
Outsourcing for product success and restful nights: the potential benefits of outsourcing are well known, but the decision to contract with subcontract partner can be daunting. This article examines how to determine if a product is suitable for outsourcing and the steps to take to identify and qualify the correct outsourcing company.(manufacturing)(Company overview)
Nov 01, 2008; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Selecting the right products Entering into an outsourcing programme can promote development of new medical products, simplify internal operations and lead to more profitability for a company. When organised, executed and supervised properly an ...
Validation and Six Sigma: medical device design and manufacturing organisations, and their suppliers, that are pursuing operational excellent are urged to employ Six Sigma. It is a validation activity that addresses risk and by harnessing this methodology companies can accelerate and improve their risk management. This article explains how.(manufacturing)
Nov 01, 2008; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The vision This article returns to the original vision of Six Sigma. It illustrates how Six Sigma has a symbiotic relationship with validation and risk management. In doing so it provides an insight into bridging the gap between Six Sigma ...
Approaches to the Physico-Chemical and Mechanical Characterisation of Functional Coatings, Part II: Part 1 of this article demonstrated that knowledge of coating science is important in the formulation and early development of a functionally active coating for a medical device/combination product. Part II focuses on the testing challenges and verification of the finished coating on the product.(Materials)
Nov 01, 2008; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Regulatory demands The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that device manufacturers describe in detail parameters such as the thickness of individual coating layers, coating uniformity, cohesive and adhesive properties ...
Medical Device Technology blogs!(medtechinsider)
Nov 01, 2008 ... Have you visited medtechinsider yet? We are posting blogs on medtechinsider.com nearly every weekday and this frequency is set to increase. Written by the editors of Medical Device Technology and European Medical Device Manufacturer, ...
Micropump doubles pressure.(pumps and valves in focus: A selection of pumps and valves available to the industry.)
Nov 01, 2008 ... Bartels Mikrotechnik has added a new model to its micropump range that doubles the pressure of its predecessor. Featuring a double actuator system, the mp6 can reportedly handle backpressures of up to 500 mbar. It also provides an enhanced self-priming function, a higher bubble tolerance ...
Precision pumps.(pumps and valves in focus: A selection of pumps and valves available to the industry.)
Nov 01, 2008 ... Diener Precision Pumps manufactures precision external magnetic drive gear pumps with flow ranges from 5 mL/min to 10 L/min. Features include positive displacement, pulseless flow and chemically inert wetted materials. The sealless, leak free pumps are also autoclavable, compact and quiet ...
Diaphragm pumps.(pumps and valves in focus: A selection of pumps and valves available to the industry.)
Nov 01, 2008 ... Nitto has developed a new series of diaphragm pumps. Performance characteristics include airflow ranging from 6 to 50 L/min, maximum pressure of 300 mbar and maximum achievable underpressure of--250 mbar. Basic power supply is 230 V and special ...
Miniature diaphragm air pumps.(pumps and valves in focus: A selection of pumps and valves available to the industry.)
Nov 01, 2008 ... Schwarzer Precision is introducing high-response valve technology into its miniature eccentric diaphragm air pumps. According to the company, the lower mass high response valves will allow more airflow through the valves, at higher motor speeds and, because the new valves react much ...
Miniature valve.(pumps and valves in focus: A selection of pumps and valves available to the industry.)
Nov 01, 2008 ... Burkert has developed an ultra-slim miniature valve for the reproducible and precise dosing of chemically aggressive fluids. The flipper solenoid valve type 6650 (FSV 6650) has a width of 4.5 mm and reportedly outperforms 10 and 16 mm designs. Its low internal volume enables effective ...
Dispensing valves.(pumps and valves in focus: A selection of pumps and valves available to the industry.)
Nov 01, 2008 ... Aseptic spray valves for dispensing stent coatings, saline solutions and silicone oils are available from EFD. The 784S-SS valve is machined from 316L stainless steel for compatibility with a range of fluids, and features an aseptic design with a fluid path free of any entrapment areas, ...
Semi-inert miniature solenoid valve.(pumps and valves in focus: A selection of pumps and valves available to the industry.)
Nov 01, 2008 ... The Lee Company offers a perfluorinated semi-inert solenoid valve designed to handle moderately aggressive gases and liquids in a variety of fluid handling applications. The valve is suitable for use in anaesthesia delivery, inkjet printing, gas detection systems, reagent delivery and ...
Long life solenoid valves.(pumps and valves in focus: A selection of pumps and valves available to the industry.)
Nov 01, 2008 ... A series of 0.25-in. (6.4 mm) ported three-way direct acting solenoid valves is available from Humphrey that has reportedly achieved multimillion life cycle capability. The 320 Series features a controlled, short-stroke balanced poppet design that permits rapid cycling with excellent flow ...
Compact selector valves.(pumps and valves in focus: A selection of pumps and valves available to the industry.)
Nov 01, 2008 ... The West Group has introduced a selector valve that allows the actuation of up to six individual circuits from a common input port of M5 or option of 10/32 thread sizes. The valve is available in two styles; standard, which directs flow through each input port as the knob is turned; and ...
Gas metering valve.(pumps and valves in focus: A selection of pumps and valves available to the industry.)
Nov 01, 2008 ... A gas metering valve for power generation systems is available from South Bend. The direct-acting proportional Servoid valve driver provides linear proportional control of the metering orifice, which yields linear proportional flow. A suspended armature design results in a low ...
The Irish medical device and diagnostics industry in 2008: the industry's continued success is the result of sound strategy and its application. The next tranche of planning extends up until 2013 and its important elements are outlined here.(market place)
Nov 01, 2008; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Vibrancy and high employment The medical device industry is without a doubt a vibrant growth sector of the Irish economy that is continuing to grow from strength to strength. More than 140 medical technology companies are located in Ireland; they annually ...
Custom analysis software.(in vitro diagnostic components in focus: A round up of products and services for in vitro diagnostic applications.)
Nov 01, 2008 ... Whatman provides filtration devices and membranes for medical applications and life sciences. In collaboration with VigeneTech, the company has launched custom software to analyse Whatman FAST Quant samples. The software provides high quality image quantification and enhances the ...
Custom converting.(in vitro diagnostic components in focus: A round up of products and services for in vitro diagnostic applications.)
Nov 01, 2008 ... G&L Precision Die Cutting converts customer-supplied membranes (backed or unbacked), absorbent pads, conjugate pads, and custom materials into diagnostic and lateral flow assay cards. Special dry rooms allow the company to slit and lay down multiple active membranes, and products can be ...
Diagnostic test materials.(in vitro diagnostic components in focus: A round up of products and services for in vitro diagnostic applications.)
Nov 01, 2008 ... Millipore offers materials, components and customer services for rapid diagnostic test applications. According to the company, its Hi-Flow Plus lateral flow membranes are manufactured to tight specifications to create a superior surface morphology that allows consistent and even flow ...
Protein stabilisers.(in vitro diagnostic components in focus: A round up of products and services for in vitro diagnostic applications.)
Nov 01, 2008 ... SurModics offers high performance protein stabilisers for a variety of applications including the preservation of antibodies and antigens, HRP and AP conjugates and microarrays. The BioFX product range includes chemiluminescent substrates for microwell and membrane applications; ...
Tools for clinical analysis.(in vitro diagnostic components in focus: A round up of products and services for in vitro diagnostic applications.)
Nov 01, 2008 ... BioMerieux provides automated instruments, reagents, culture media and software tools. The company contributes to the diagnosis of infectious diseases, cardiovascular diseases and cancer with expertise ...
Components for immunoassays.(in vitro diagnostic components in focus: A round up of products and services for in vitro diagnostic applications.)
Nov 01, 2008 ... Kem-En-Tec produces components for immunoassays such as ELISA, blotting and tissue staining. The products are mainly for enzyme based assays having alkaline phosphatase or horseradish peroxidase as the enzyme marker. Five ...
Advantages of automation in production and assembly: how to achieve better products, greater product quality and increased profitability.(market place)
Nov 01, 2008; ... Mitigating risk and uncertainty As a manufacturer of automated assembly systems, it is often striking that producers of medical devices and pharmaceuticals do not have a comprehensive understanding of what is meant by the terms "assembly automation" or "automation." Many often ...
Thermoplastic tubing.(tubing: A selection of tubing products and services.)
Nov 01, 2008 ... ANSAmed custom extrudes speciality thermoplastic tubing for a variety of applications. Typical materials include nylons, Pebax, polyurethanes, polyethylenes, fluoropolymers and polypropylene. ...
Metal tubular profiles.(tubing: A selection of tubing products and services.)
Nov 01, 2008 ... Medelec Minimeca custom manufactures high precision metal tubular profiles. The tubing is cold drawn and available in o.d.s of 0.10-10 mm and wall thicknesses of ...
Braided tubing.(tubing: A selection of tubing products and services.)
Nov 01, 2008 ... Raumedic manufactures braided tubing for angiography applications. The polyurethane tubing has an i.d. of 1.85 mm, an o.d. of 3.60 mm and can be sterilised by ethylene oxide. The polyester reinforcement material used between the inner and outer layer ensures a high burst pressure (1200 ...
Coiled tubing.(tubing: A selection of tubing products and services.)
Nov 01, 2008 ... Coiled tubing is now available from Qosina. The DEHP-free, USP Class Vl, PVC coiled tubing stretches and retracts easily, keeping it tangle-free and space efficient, says the company. The actual size of the coiled piece is between 5-6 cm, but the tubing extends to lengths of 91 cm (Part ...
Tubing and wire fabrication.(tubing: A selection of tubing products and services.)
Nov 01, 2008 ... Unimed supplies speciality components made from small diameter tubing and wire such as needles and catheters.Tubing is welded and cold drawn and reportedly features dimensional accuracy, clean ...
Outsourcing services.(tubing: A selection of tubing products and services.)
Nov 01, 2008 ... Parker TexMed offers a system of designing, developing and recovering fluoropolymer heat shrink tubing over customer's products in its Class 10000 clean room. Typical applications include custom shrinking onto medical instruments such as catheters, laparoscopy and other in vitro devices ....
Custom extruded tubing.(tubing: A selection of tubing products and services.)
Nov 01, 2008 ... MS Techniques precision extrudes tubing tailored to customer needs. Products include multilumen tubing with any type of cross section; coextruded tubing; reinforced tubing; and high pressure ...
Multipurpose PVC tubing.(tubing: A selection of tubing products and services.)
Nov 01, 2008 ... NewAge Industries provides PVC tubing in more than 50 sizes from stock. The Clearflo tubing ranges from 1/16 in. to 4 in. i.d. (1.4 mm to 10.1 cm) and is designed to handle an assortment of applications involving liquid transfer, air lines, processing and jacketing for ...
Certified tubing.(tubing: A selection of tubing products and services.)
Nov 01, 2008 ... ExtruMed has announced that it has achieved ISO 13485:2003 certification for the manufacture and distribution of custom, high-precision plastic tubing. The tubing is used in catheter based delivery systems. A complete range of ...
Tubing for critical applications.(tubing: A selection of tubing products and services.)
Nov 01, 2008 ... MicroLumen manufactures tubing that is suitable for use in critical applications and minimally invasive surgical device, including cardiovascular and urological catheters, stent deployment and drug delivery systems. l.d.s range from 0.0040 to 0.0830 in. (0.1 to 2.1 mm) with various wall ...
What is the future for UK health care?(News Round-Up From the UK: A review of some of the issues affecting today's industry and some insights into the future.)
Nov 01, 2008 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "Today, approximately 45% of cancer cases are diagnosed at a stage when the cancer can be successfully treated. We believe this figure could be increased to 66% by 2012" said Professor Peter Johnson, Chief Clinician, Cancer Research UK. He continued, "To ...
Training for a health care revolution.(News Round-Up From the UK: A review of some of the issues affecting today's industry and some insights into the future.)
Nov 01, 2008 ... Demand for revolutionary new medical treatments is to be met by training up a new breed of scientist. To realise the full potential of the latest health care advances such as regenerating cartilage and bone and growing heart muscle cells, a 6 million [pounds sterling] (7.7 million [euro]) ...
Europe network launched.(News Round-Up From the UK: A review of some of the issues affecting today's industry and some insights into the future.)
Nov 01, 2008 ... Enterprise Europe Network is a new service comprising more than 500 organisations and 4000 professionals across Europe that offers a broad range of support to companies wanting to access funding, expand into Europe or develop new technologies. The network is designed to maximise the ...
New trade association heads.(News Round-Up From the UK: A review of some of the issues affecting today's industry and some insights into the future.)
Nov 01, 2008 ... Peter Ellingworth is the new Chief Executive of the Association of British Healthcare Industries (ABHI), the lead trade association for the UK medical devices and systems industry. Ellingworth recently stood down as Chairman of the ABHI. He has been an active participant in ABHI activities ...
Marketing conference.(News Round-Up From the UK: A review of some of the issues affecting today's industry and some insights into the future.)(Conference news)
Nov 01, 2008 ... New organisations, activities and practices now span the national health care sector. Innovative companies must still reach patients and it is essential that they are aware of the changes and the opportunities that exist. The ABHI is holding its 2008 UK Market conference titled, "Getting ...
Increase in R&D tax credits.(News Round-Up From the UK: A review of some of the issues affecting today's industry and some insights into the future.)
Nov 01, 2008 ... Tax credits to encourage small businesses to invest more in developing new and improved products were increased by 80 million [pounds sterling] (103 million [euro]) a year on 1 August 2008. This brings the total tax relief available to approximately 300 million [pounds sterling] (385 ...
Diagnostic devices save money.(News Round-Up From the UK: A review of some of the issues affecting today's industry and some insights into the future.)
Nov 01, 2008 ... If the correct investments were made at a primary care level, the NHS could save in excess of 8 million [pounds sterling] (10.3 million [euro]) a year through a reduction in the number of patients who are admitted for emergency treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) ....
Impersonation of MHRA staff.(News Round-Up From the UK: A review of some of the issues affecting today's industry and some insights into the future.)
Nov 01, 2008 ... The UK's Competent Authority, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) reports that there have been a number of calls made to companies from people purporting to be members of MHRA staff, who do not work for the Agency. It states on its website that it knows that ...
FastTrack CE marking.(components, materials and services: Some of the latest developments from suppliers.)
Nov 01, 2008 ... BSI has launched a new speed-to-market programme for Class III medical devices that require CE marking design dossier reviews. The CE-45 FastTrack programme expedites the review process in which most reviews are completed in 45 working days for medical devices intended for European ...
Carbon fibre-reinforced PEEK.(components, materials and services: Some of the latest developments from suppliers.)
Nov 01, 2008 ... EuropTec has combined carbon fibres (55% volume) with PEEK (45% volume) to create a composite material with good interply shear strength. EuropRay, which reportedly has passed biocompatibility tests according to ISO 10993-1 for medical instruments, is X-ray translucent and suitable for ...
Fibre laser coders.(components, materials and services: Some of the latest developments from suppliers.)
Nov 01, 2008 ... Videojet has introduced two compact, fast and highly reliable fibre laser coders for direct part marking and unique identification coding on metal, plastic and other hard to mark materials. Available in 10 W and 20 W of output power, respectively, the Video jet 7210 and 7310 fiber laser ...
European representative.(components, materials and services: Some of the latest developments from suppliers.)
Nov 01, 2008 ... Komax, a manufacturer of automatic assembly systems, has announced that it is the exclusive representative of Kinematic Automation's diagnostic assembly and processing systems in Europe and Asia. The product line offers technologies ...
Clean-rooms for packaging company.(components, materials and services: Some of the latest developments from suppliers.)
Nov 01, 2008 ... Riverside is a manufacturer and contract packer of medical devices and produces medical peel pouches and sachets. The company, which designs and produces its packaging machinery and the tooling for blister packs and pouches in-house, has recently opened a suite of three ...
More machining capabilities.(components, materials and services: Some of the latest developments from suppliers.)
Nov 01, 2008 ... Sandvik has strengthened its machining capabilities with the acquisition of Eurocut's manufacturing operation in Sheffield, UK. The acquisition will increase its capacity and expertise in the area of orthopaedic implants and surgical instrumentation, including cutting tools for bone ...
Contract manufacturing directory: a listing of companies that offer contract manufacturing services to the industry.(Directory)
Nov 01, 2008 ... <Pre> contract manufacturing directory A listing of companies that offer contract manufacturing services to the industry ASSEMBLY A&G Ltd Tel:+372 666 4900 Accellent Inc. Tel:+1 978 570 6900 ...
Compamed 2008 event preview: more than a trade show ...
Nov 01, 2008 ... Compamed grows from strength to strength with more than 480 exhibitors from 30 countries attending this year in Messe Dusseldorf's Halls 8a and 8b. Suppliers will exhibit a comprehensive range of solutions, extending from new materials, components, preliminary products, packaging and ...
A Uno Tec Srl.(News from a selection of exhibitors at Compamed 2008)
Nov 01, 2008 ... A Uno Tec designs and builds machines, systems and accessories for automating production processes. Its capabilities include custom automatic assembly machines for components and tubing, cutting benches for processing bag and filter materials from rigid and semi-rigid sheets ...
Aceos GmbH.(News from a selection of exhibitors at Compamed 2008)
Nov 01, 2008 ... Aceos is a developer and manufacturer of miniaturised solid-state electrolyte sensor systems for the analysis of concentrations of multiple gases. The company offers the ACE-Xmed oxygen sensor for breath-by-breath measurement and the ACE-DXmed autocalibrating sensor module that is designed ...
Acnis International.(News from a selection of exhibitors at Compamed 2008)
Nov 01, 2008 ... Metal materials supplier Acnis provides semifinished products in titanium and titanium alloys for applications such as implants and surgical tools. Titanium products are offered in bar, sheet, plate, tube and wire form, and also as fasteners, fittings and ...
All-wrap packaging machinery.(News from a selection of exhibitors at Compamed 2008)
Nov 01, 2008 ... Medical packaging specialist All-Wrap presents a single-lane four-side-seal horizontal pouching machine. The RCN 270, also available in double-and triple-lane versions, works from two reels of heat-sealable packaging material to form flat pouches with a peel element for easy opening. It ...
AL.MA. srl.(News from a selection of exhibitors at Compamed 2008)
Nov 01, 2008 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Machines for thermoforming rigid or flexible materials are custom manufactured by ALMA and aimed at optimising product packaging and preventing material waste. Its packaging lines include features such as centralised compressed-air exhausts and motorised ...