What's hot in medical device manufacture?

The medical device sector has had a strong year. And developments and advances in 2015 have put the industry in a first class position for further growth in the coming year

Medtech trends reappear year after year but they are no less significant each time. In the medical plastics sector materials that provide improvements for device manufacturer or that offer savings and efficiencies are welcome on a regular basis. For 2016, if you add to this emerging technologies, the sector looks set to have a fruitful and profitable year.

Advances in polymers are always welcome in the medical device industry. Recently materials such as polyolefins have found increased use as replacements for glass – vials for example – and metal, in the orthopaedic market. Polyolefins offer many benefits including an excellent material profile and cost-effectiveness. They have found 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.

Meanwhile where flexibility is required thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) have become hot favourites with device manufacturers. Companies such as Teknor Apex  and RTP Company have recognised how these versatile compounds have taken the place of materials such as PVC and have found favour with designers that appreciate their material properties. Add to this their chemical inertness and the fact that they process efficiently and economically, and it’s clear to see why TPEs are materials of choice for device manufacturers.

Improvements in materials will continue to be crucial for the sector. Following the PIP scandal some years ago, it was disappointing to hear that Silimed’s implants were contaminated with unknown particles and had their CE certification withdrawn. The industry will no doubt continue to work to eradicate this type of incident happening and crucially, the development of materials and the way they are manufactured will be high on the agenda in 2016.

Digital health has been a buzz word for the life science sector throughout 2015. While some manufacturers looked 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.

As with all industries, the need to develop products that provide efficiencies to the user is always going to be importnat. The medical device sector is no exception as clinicians demand smarter machines containing the latest technology to help them carry out procedures faster and more effectively.

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.

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 this industry looks bright and indeed that the biggest leap for this technology still lies ahead.

It’s clear that the medical plastic device sector has much to offer the healthcare market. Its role is pivotal to the development of new products and the efficiencies of manufacture. It will be good to see what 2016 has to offer . . .