All articles by Ky Nikitha
Ky Nikitha
A light touch
Biophotonics is the science of producing and using photons or light to image, identify and engineer biological materials. The potential of the technology in optimising diagnosis and treatment is huge. Elena Beletkaia, project leader at the European Photonics Industry Consortium, discusses its significance for the industry.
Tech helping tech
Additive manufacturing is attracting increased attention in the medical device sector, but analysts say more must be done to improve digital security. Patrick Kingsland asks Deloitte researchers how blockchain technology could help protect the 3D devices of tomorrow.
Your heart on your sleeve
Advances in wireless technologies, low-power electronics and the internet of things are driving innovations in wearables at a tremendous pace. Emma Green speaks to Yasser Khan, a doctoral researcher in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Stanford University, about the key considerations when selecting materials for these devices.
Lean, mean micromachine
Micromachining represents an exciting field in medical device development with the potential to minimise patient trauma and spark new forms of surgery and drug delivery. Will Moffitt speaks to Antoine Barbot, research associate at the EPSRC Micro-Machining Facility at Imperial College London, about the trials and tribulations of manufacturing medical devices in the submillimetre realm.
Sterile environment
The standard sterilisation method over the past 40 years has been gamma irradiation, but there are drawbacks to consider. David Callaghan speaks to Gustavo Varca, scientific adviser for the International Irradiation Association, and Sean Hanley, sterilisation senior fellow at Boston Scientific, about the pros and cons of different approaches.
Cancer detector
Cancer DNA changes in response to its environment, favouring alterations that help it survive long term. These include large and small changes, and the latter can be almost invisible. Chrissy O’Keefe and a team at Johns Hopkins University have created a digital microfl uidics platform to help detect these changes. She talks to Kerry Taylor-Smith about how this technology could revolutionise cancer detection.
Liquid flow
A number of disposable sensors are now available to monitor fl uid control in medical devices, and these tend to be low-cost because there are no electronics located in the sensor. IVAM CEO Dr Thomas R Dietrich talks to Kerry Taylor-Smith about the potential of these sensors for mobile and point-of-care diagnostics.
Many hands make light work
The global market for sustainable packaging is rapidly developing. However, medical device companies are still lagging behind their personal-care, food service and shipping counterparts. Peylina Chu, executive director of Healthcare Plastics Recycling Council, speaks to Emma Green about key principles to consider in bringing the medical device industry up to speed.
Chains of command
Heavy regulation from design to delivery can make logistics highly challenging. Optimising the shipping process provides time and cost savings, as well as the ability to offer exceptional customer service. Kim Thomas talks to Bruce J Stanley, president-principal at the Stanley East Consulting Group, about key strategies designed to maximise the effi ciency of logistics procedures.
Old spark, new ideas
Although the use of plasma treatments for medical device coatings has been around for some time, in recent years it is enjoying something of a renaissance. Andrew Tunnicliffe talks with Professor Denis Dowling about its potential and its limitations.