All articles by Blatha
Blatha
See the light
The fibre laser has the almost magical ability to write like an invisible pen, with a tiny stream of photonic ink, directly onto almost any product or material, without physical contact or the need for consumables. This has led to its widespread and rapid adoption across a broad spectrum of different industries worldwide. Dave Clark, the director of marketing at IPG Photonics, explains why the time could now be here for its introduction into the medical device manufacturing market.
Particle and parcel
Particle contamination can pose serious product quality issues and, in the event of a recall, critically damage the reputation of a manufacturer. What are the sources of contamination, and what strategies can be deployed to detect and control them? Erwin Freund, the executive director of product engineering at Amgen, talks to Sarah Lynch.
Power to the people
The developers behind a new wireless charging system claim it can power implants efficiently no matter where or how they are positioned in the body. Elly Earls meets Dr Arun Venkatasubramanian, the head of implanted connectivity at Cambridge Consultants, to discuss what this discovery could mean for medical device development.
Right down the line
With regulations evolving fast, the discussion around track and trace revolves around meeting compliance deadlines. Dr Jyrki Syväri of Boehringer Ingelheim, Robert Jan van der Horst of DSM Sinochem Pharmaceuticals, and Tania Snioch of GS1 explain how traceability projects can intersect with a manufacturer’s business goals and deliver value across the entire supply chain.
Combine forces
The question of which is best when considering whether to use a charge-coupled device or complementary metal oxide semiconductor sensors for imaging has long hung over the medical device community. With the ongoing development of technologies and markets, this is an evolving topic. Emma Green considers both proposals, as well as hybrid technologies, offering insight into how best to choose.
Probe into memory
A group of scientists in the US are hoping to build a prosthesis that could help restore or enhance memory functions and tackle diseases like Alzheimer’s. Patrick Kingsland asks Dong Song, research associate professor at the University of Southern California, how it works and how a polymer-based material called parylene C could hold part of the answer.
Plug the gap
The medical device connector market is evolving rapidly thanks to growth in the home healthcare sector and increased adoption of miniaturised medical devices. Patrick Kingsland explores the latest innovations and asks what medical device OEMs should look for when choosing a connector supplier.
The ins and outs
For medical devices, Brexit is coming at an inopportune time, says GlobalData. EU directives are currently transitioning to a new Medical Devices Regulation and In Vitro Diagnostic Regulation, which are already having a profound impact on the medical devices industry and on the availability of medical devices to EU citizens.
Perfect printing
Printed circuit boards (PCBs) are complex and often fraught with challenges in the design stage and when the final product is in use. However, many of these issues can be avoided during the design and manufacture phase. A circuit board failure is not desirable for any device, but in those that are potentially supporting life they can be catastrophic. Emma Green considers the advantages and costs of different PCB technologies, including the application of wireless flexible printed circuit boards for developing wearable medical devices.
Winds of change
The EU Medical Device Regulation is the most dramatic legislative reform for the sector since the mid-90s, and it is now in effect, although the industry is still in the midst of a transition period. Professor Herman Pieterse, of the University of Ghent and Profess Medical Consultancy, outlines the considerable demands being made on device companies and how they are adapting to change.