5 medtech trends for 2016

Emerging technologies and materials that provide improvements for medical device manufacturer are crucial in medtech. These five trends are the ones to look out for in the medical plastics sector of 2016

Wearables

Digital health is becoming an ever-popular topic in life sciences. While some manufacturers look towards the wearables market for new product growth, in 2016 these devices look set to take on a new shape.

Currently a huge hit with the health and fitness market, we are likely to see a new generation of  ‘aware-ables’ which will monitor vital signs and analyse body function ahead of diagnosis.

Not just for fitness purposes these products will have a place in clinical applications giving them a crucial role in the healthcare market.

Ultrasound OEMs

One area seeing growth is the ultrasound market. According to a report by iData Research, ultrasound OEMs are likely to witness stable, reliable growth in the coming years, while specialised 3D and 4D imaging technology will shape the market.

‘General imaging’ devices usually used by radiology departments are significantly expensive.

A trend towards smaller, specialised devices within hospital budgets is taking shape.

Additionally, radiology ultrasound equipment sales are limited by the increasing number of hospital departments performing their own ultrasound exams and not sending patients to radiology.

Add to this the trend for smaller devices and to link them to apps, and it’s easy to see why this market has strong potential.

3D printing

An article on trends wouldn’t be the same without mentioning 3D printing. This technology continues to enhance the healthcare sector and the way that doctors work.

Companies such as ZMorph have used this technology to offer benefits to medical device applications and according to Milos Todorovic, Lux Research, the future for 3D printing industry looks bright.

Thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs)

Where flexibility is required TPEs are rapidly gaining popularity among device manufacturers due to their chemical inertness and the fact that they process efficiently and economically

These versatile compounds have taken the place of materials like PVC and companies such as Teknor Apex and RTP Company have recognised how these versatile compounds will become one of 2016’s materials of choice for device manufacturers.

Polyolefins

Polyolefin plastics offer many benefits in the medical device industry including an excellent material profile and cost-effectiveness.

They are increasingly used as replacements for glass and metal in the orthopaedic market and have an array of uses in medical packaging, drug delivery devices and items such as surgical bowls.

To meet this demand companies such as Borealis Healthcare are gaining ground offering specialised products for the medical market.