European Med-Tech News Archive - November/December 08

Feature Articles

Validation and Six Sigma
Medical device design and manufacturing organisations, and their suppliers, that are pursuing operational excellence are urged to employ Six Sigma. It is a validation activity that addresses risk and by harnessing this methodology companies can accelerate and improve their risk management.

Outsourcing For Product Success
and Restful Nights
The potential benefits of outsourcing are well known, but the decision to contract with subcontract partner can be daunting. This article examines how to determine if a product is suitable for outsourcing and the steps to take to identify and qualify the correct outsourcing company.

Micro Machining Brain Implant
Needle Arrays
A major challenge in the industry is the creation of a degree of control over electromechanical prostheses in severely disabled spinal injury patients or loss-of-limb patients. The case study described here illustrates the use of microelectrodischarge machining, which is a critical component in the creation of an engineering system that interlinks directly with the brain.

The Challenges of Packaging
Combination Devices
This article focuses on the development of a packaging format for drug eluting stents where the package not only has to meet the needs of the stent, but also the needs of the drug incorporated into its polymer coating. The package has to allow the transfer of ethylene oxide gas for sterilisation, but when in storage, must provide a barrier to keep out moisture and oxygen.

Prosthetic Vein Valve Designed to Improve Blood Flow

Brand-Protection Firm Develops Reprocessed-SUD Warning Technology

System Tests Silicone for Soft-Bodied Robots

Tissue Engineering Gets a New Tool

Colour PCR and QPCR Products Improve Reproducibility, Accuracy

Tampon Printing Machine Said to Run Circles around the Competition

Power Supply in 1U Envelope Delivers 1340 W Continuous Power

PCB-Mounted Motor Produces Minimal Noise

Electrically Conductive Film Offers High Tensile Strength

Supplier Can Form Wire to Custom Specifications

Microstructures Produced to Sub-Micrometer Range

Plastic Compound Provides Flexibility Comparable to that of Rubber

Aziz Joins ARV Excellence in Europe
ARV Excellence Ltd has appointed Dr. Kaiser Aziz as senior regulatory, clinical, and quality affairs consultant. Aziz brings a wealth of experience to the company after serving 29 years with the FDA in a number of senior roles. Throughout his career, Aziz worked with individual and industry organizations in design and total product life cycle (TPLC) approaches to premarket applications for medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and combination products.

Dr. Kaiser Aziz

AWS Group Appoints Weston as Non-Executive Chairman
AWS Group, an independent Electronic Manufacturing Solutions (EMS) provider, has announced the appointment of former British Aerospace chief executive, John Weston, to its board of directors as non-executive Chairman. Starting as an undergraduate apprentice with the British Aircraft Corporation in 1970, Weston rose to become Chief Executive of British Aerospace in 1998.

John Weston

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Industry News

	No Slowdown in Sight for Wireless-Based Healthcare Technology
	Maker of High-Luminance LCDs Sees Bright Future in Medical Imaging
	TPE Compounds Introduced for Sensitive Medical Applications
	Florida-Based Company Looks to Sharks to Combat Hospital Infections



What's New
	Tissue Engineering Gets a New Tool
	Ceramic Dental Drills Are Based on Three-Lip Geometry
	Bridging the Interoperability Divide
	Phthalate-Free TPU Meets Demanding Medical Applications



medtechinsider insights
	Unity Now Drives the Goal of Faster Innovation in Europe
	Forum on Component Reliability for Medical Electronics Announced
	Devices Versus Drugs in Developing World
	Electrical Circuit Helps Paralyzed Monkeys Move