Can Medical Device Manufacturing Enhance Patient Care With Simplicity?

Alex D'souza, Medical Tech Outlook | Tuesday, November 12, 2019

When device makers navigate their challenges and opportunities, they are all set to provide high-quality products and innovations to enhance patient care

FREMONT, CA: We are living in an era where technology has taken over everything, including medical device manufacturing. The technology ensures regular interference regarding how equipment is designed, built, and distributed. Notably, medical professions are making use of new, emerging smart devices.

With the technologies becoming more advanced, the medical professional will require more training to work with advanced tools, devices, and equipment. 

Medical professionals must understand things like risk management, troubleshooting, and cybersecurity as it stretches their essential skills and expertise beyond anything that they have dealt with in the past.

Also, device manufacturers should concentrate on the same software elements, but in addition to design control. There is a considerable risk of defects and bugs when new software is released, which may surface late in the production process. It needs an ongoing product and service assistance as well as constant yet thorough testing practices.

The de novo classification is a risk-based classification process when it comes to dealing with the FDA. IT is hardly utilized, at least until recently.

The FDA has since streamlined the process of application by eradication the requirement for a 510(k) and NSE determination. Since the de novo pathway is relatively more efficient and faster, more providers are going through it. It best suits the technologies with either low-risk ambiance or a solution where the provider can resolve all known risks.

Medical equipment and operation instruments now need proprietary applications. Hotel management and planning tools connect with mobile devices. Even accessibility equipment like a chair and exam tables, weight scales, and patient lifts have been updated to provide mobile support.

These days laser cutting technology is being used by the medical convertors that emit extremely low levels of dust and debris, thus maintains a cleanroom environment. Besides, advancements in flexographic printing and latest inkless printing techniques provide OEMs (original equipment manufacturer) and their convertors more choices to print with greater efficiency, agility, and less waste.

With regard to adhesive medical applications, the medical industry has been working on to minimize the utilization of phthalates, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and chemicals like toluene. The OEMs material suppliers need to come up with alternative solutions to stay ahead of the curve. 

Healthcare industry-specific initiatives continue to coalesce around sustainability. Patients and healthcare providers are showing more interest in natural remedies, involving treatment that includes minimal chemicals. Device makers get a good opportunity to discover how natural elements can be blended with adhesive materials. For instance, there are hydrocolloids with additives that can offer odor-controlling, moisturizing, pain-relieving, or healing properties. 

Lastly, concerning material outsourcing, medical device manufacturers must ensure that they are stable, safe, reliable, and source of supply of each material and component.
 

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