All articles by chris cox
chris cox
To outsource or not to outsource?
Some device manufacturers are cottoning on to the benefits that subcontracting to electronics manufacturing service providers can bring, but others are more reticent to take the plunge. Lavanya Rammohan, electronics and manufacturing research analyst at Frost & Sullivan, takes a look at the medical market’s outsourcing potential.
Machines for living: M2M communication
If the full potential of M2M is realised, it could become the preferred mode of communication between patients and the healthcare system. Chuck Parker, Continua’s executive director, explains why he considers this technology critical to the future of healthcare.
Power to the patient: the evolution of portable medical devices
Advances in technology have led to more critical care devices becoming portable and this trend has put far greater emphasis on the performance of the batteries that power them. In this special report, Medical Device Developments considers how battery technology has changed over time, and asks Tactiq’s Alan Johnson what risks must be addressed in the management of power sources for portable medical devices in the critical care environment.
Micro management
High-performance processors enable continuous improvement in many sectors, including the medical device market. Zeljko Loncaric, marketing engineer at congatec, explains how microprocessor evolution is driving up efficacy within the industry.
Leave nothing to chance: sterilising medical devices
The sterilisation of medical devices and their packaging is critical as the presence of a single microorganism on an instrument could have dire ramifications. Maetrics’ sterile products specialist Tracy Rennison debates the pros and cons of the various methods available.
Silicone valley: a biomaterial for med-tech
Silicone is consistently used as a biomaterial for medical device applications. Northern Arizona University’s Aaron Tabor and Robert Diller; Joseph Chinn, consultant to the medical device industry; and Robert S Kellar, president of Development Engineering Sciences, examine its current place in the medical technology sector.
Joint venture: plastic’s progress
The use of plastics in joint replacements has evolved dramatically over the past few decades, and work continues to develop materials that will render implants more durable and robust. In some quarters, however, the use of traditional metallic alloys is still preferred. Medical Device Developments spoke to plastics expert Dr Yash Khanna about the need to spread awareness of the materials under development and how well plastics perform compared with metals.
Keep it in the company: a trend towards in-house development?
Adefemi Adenuga, industry dynamics analyst at GlobalData, asks whether a recent decline in the volume and value of deals in the medical device industry points to a growing preference for developing in-house capabilities.
Get your motor running: medical equipment in motion
As medical device technology drives advancements in motors and motion control, Roger Hollis of Sharp Concepts explains how this behind-the-scenes aspect of the healthcare industry is, in turn, fuelling innovation in new medical equipment.
Reforming European medical technology regulation
New demographic trends and financial pressures mean that the European medical technology industry has to change. John Brennan, director regulations and industrial policy at Eucomed, announces the launch of a five-year strategy that aims to transform the sector by making it more efficient, cost-effective and truly sustainable.