Friday, May 16, 2008

> European Medical Device Manufacturer

European Medical Device Manufacturer is Europe's leading sourcing magazine for designers and manufacturers of medical devices. It is published seven times a year, including an annual Buyers Guide, by Canon Communications LLC.

 

EDITOR'S PAGE

An Inconvenient Truth for the Med-Tech Industry
-Norbert Sparrow

The medical device industry has been quite successful over the years at exempting itself from some of the more burdensome parts of environmental legislation. In some cases, the immediate concern of saving lives trumped ecological considerations. Industry's well-integrated risk/benefit methodology also has helped to silence the eco scolds. But the tide is turning. For George Howarth, who was group environmental affairs director at Smith & Nephew until he retired in 2002, the regulation on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), in particular, has the potential to impact every single device manufacturer.

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WHAT'S NEW

• Showstoppers: Stent Inspection System and Advanced Lasers Are Among Highlights at Hannover Fair 2008
• Ceramic Machining and Extrusion Technique Introduced
• Robust Polyethylene Fibre Developed for Orthopaedic Applications

TECHNOLOGY NEWS

• Downstream Extrusion Equipment Undergoes Makeover to Boost Appeal to Medical Manufacturers
• Portable System Assesses Low-Level Torque of Small, Rotating Components
• Cleanroom-Friendly Ultrasonic Welding Equipment Meets US FDA's 21 CRF Part 11

INDUSTRY NEWS

• Alsace Biovalley Cluster Offers Single-Source Services to Med-Tech Industry
• Low-Cost Implantable Medical Cells Introduced
• Adept Technology Acquires French Robotics Firm
• Maker of Leak-Testing Systems Battles Rising Helium Costs
• Wales Design Bureau Earns Kudos for Shakerscope
• Medifiq Acquires Medisize
• Polymer Consulting Centre Launched
• Creganna Introduces Specialty Needles
• Invisar Inc. Collaborates with Microchip Technology
• Less Is More for Low-Energy Implantable Chip
• Canon Communications Acquires Pharmapack Event in Paris
• Family of Medical TPUs Expanded
• Expanded Online News Briefs

ENGINEERING INSIGHT

Advanced PC Material Puts Blood Pump on Path to Clinical Success

A specialty compound helps prevent clot formations from adhering to pump walls

Injection Device Makes Life a Little Easier for Osteoporosis Patients

Inclusive design practices result in a user-friendly product

REGIONAL FOCUS

Bavaria

The fiercely independent German state has developed a strong commitment to the medical device industry and other technologically advanced sectors

A range of isolators for ±6-kV electrical isolation feature infrared LEDs and NPN photodarlingtons packaged in a high-dielectric plastic housing and can provide isolation in contaminated environments.

A technology company specializes in transforming plastic materials through a variety of techniques in order to meet the requirements of new applications.

A stand-alone multiaxis motion controller designed to provide subnanometer resolution and high speed along with high accuracy and throughput supports a range of motion modes.

Analytical instrument design and manufacturing

Biomedical system design and manufacture are among the specialties of a scientifically oriented, vertically integrated product development firm.

Dispensing systems that can deposit various liquid materials in small quantities based on volumetric dispensing are suitable for medical device assembly.