All articles by antonica jones
antonica jones
The future of implants: smart, electronic implanatables
In 1958, the first pacemaker fully embedded in the human body began its work. No one believed the technique would be a success. But today, in Germany alone, about 130,000 patients each year receive such an implant, giving them a significantly improved quality of life. CEO of IVAM Thomas Dietrich explores the future of this pioneering technology.
Chip off the old block: organs-on-chips
Lined with living human cells, USB-stick-sized organs-on-chips mimic the tissue structures and mechanical motions of human organs, promising to accelerate drug discovery, decrease development costs and reduce animal testing. Natalie Healey speaks to Professor Donald Ingber, founding director of the Wyss Institute of Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University, about the impact the device – which recently won Design of the Year – could have on the future of medicine.
Turn a blind eye: building a bionic eye
A novel retinal prosthesis could enable blind patients to see again. Natalie Healey speaks to Robert J Greenberg, chairman of the board at Second Sight, about how one goes about building a bionic eye.
Smart patch: the wearable insulin needle
A tiny wearable insulin patch made from extremely biocompatible materials could have huge impacts on diabetes patients’ quality of life within the next decade. Elly Earls meets the man behind the invention, Zhen Gu, to find out more.
Straight from the source: outsourcing and contract manufacturing
If an OEM chooses to outsource some aspects of its business, it needs to ensure the returned aspect meets the objectives necessary for its success. Jack Sandahl, adjunct professor in the manufacturing operations management programme at the University of Minnesota, and fellow, supplier and materials management at Boston Scientific, explores the current contract manufacturing landscape and shares his five-step process for driving performance excellence.
The coatings conversation: hydrophilic coverings
This year, Medical Device Development’s quarterly dinner discussion was held at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Galway. President of Biocoat Keith Edwards and senior research fellow at the University of Limerick Dr Mark Southern respectively gave presentations on what considerations should be made in selecting hydrophilic coverings for medical devices and the work of the Enterprise Research Centre to enhance the operations of OEMs across Ireland.
Disappearing act: the bioabsorbable vascular scaffold revolution
A great deal of recent clinical data suggests that bioabsorbable vascular scaffolds are expected to be the next revolution in endovascular therapy. Dr Bruce Anneaux and James M Lindsey III of Zeus explore this technological development further.
Catch some rays with gamma sterilisation
Gamma rays form part of a standard process for the sterilisation and decontamination of medical devices, but although the technology is advantageous and well established, the process can be complicated. Dr Blayne Welk, urologist at the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry in Ontario, talks to Medical Device Developments about the process.
The smallest smart solution: nanotechnology for bone implants
The interaction between a device and the surrounding tissue at an orthopaedic implant interface is critical to the device’s success or failure. Dr Tolou Shokuhfar, assistant professor of mechanical engineering at Michigan Technological University, and director of In-Situ Nanomedicine Laboratory, explains how advances in nanotechnology might improve the biological performance of bone implants and reduce infection rates.
Packaging that puts on a show: innovation meets regulation
The need to comply with stringent regulations and customer demands can limit medical device manufacturers’ freedom to innovate in packaging. In an increasingly busy and commercial industry, however, creative packaging can be crucial to a product’s success. Paul Marshall of Smith & Nephew explains.