Medical Device Link.

Originally Published PMPN September 2004

Show Coverage

Once again, MidPak and Medical Design & Manufacturing (MD&M) Minneapolis are co-located, providing more options to address attendees’ packaging needs. 

This year’s expositions take place at the Minneapolis Convention Center October 20–21, 2004, while the conference will be held October 19–21, 2004. Visitors will have the opportunity to see and learn about the latest machinery, materials, and services affecting their business. Every aspect of packaging machinery will be available, including filling, closing, and sealing machines, as well as labeling, bar coding, and product-handling equipment. Blister packs, bottles, cartons, and cases will be on display alongside trays, tubes, vials, and closures. 

If your interest is medical packaging, plan to spend some time at the MedPak Pavilion, sponsored by Pharmaceutical & Medical Packaging News, where medical packaging suppliers will showcase their machinery and materials. On Thursday, October 21, medical packagers can also attend a full-day conference on medical device packaging at the MD&M show. Morning sessions include “Material Selection for Sterile Packaging Design,” by John Ozcomert, PhD, Amcor Flexibles Healthcare; “Seal Integrity in Medical Device Packages,” by Tony Stauffer, Packaging Technologies & Inspection LLC; and “The Role of RFID in Medical Device Manufacturing and Packaging,” by Matthew Ream, Zebra Technologies. The afternoon continues with “Medical Device Sterile Package Testing & Standards,” by Curtis Larson, DuPont; “Packaging for Drug Device Combinations,” by Hal Miller, president, PACE Solutions LLC; and “Testing,” by Ed Berger, Flexpak. 

MidPak and MD&M Minneapolis are produced by Canon Communications llc. Expo hours are from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 20, and 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 21. For more information about these shows, visit www.midpakshow.com and www.mdm-minneapolis.com.  

Conveyor System

Custom conveyors can be reconfigured on the production floor in a matter of minutes when manufacturing needs change. Conveyor modules can be combined to build a horizontal system and later interchanged with modules that will create an ascending/ descending conveyor or vice versa. Radius turn modules can be used to allow the conveyor to take right or left turns and can be added or removed from the conveyor at any time. The conveyors meet ISO Class III standards. Dynamic Conveyor Corp., Muskegon, MI; 800/640-6850; www.dynamicconveyor.com. 
MedPak, Booth #613

Testing Equipment

A cost-effective mechanical tester is designed to test tensile, compression, flexural, and peel properties of a wide variety of materials. Generic systems include a load frame with integrated control electronics, a load cell, and industry-standard Series IX materials testing software. Standard application system packages are also available for users with individual application or standard (ASTM, EN, ISO) testing needs. The user-friendly design allows for quick setup and versatility. Column covers are fitted with T-slots to permit compatibility with various accessories, such as grips, fixtures, extensometers, and chambers. In addition, the 3300-series benchtop testers are available in four colors: teal, cobalt blue, charcoal gray, and scarlet. Instron, Canton, MA; 800/695-4273; www.instron.com/pr. 
MD&M, Booth #539

Films

A nylon-based multilayer film offers the performance and clarity of C film, the industry standard for the most demanding thermoformed applications. Like C film, NXC film has a wide forming range for ease of processing on a variety of form-fill-seal equipment. Its nylon resin technology provides good impact strength and abrasion resistance. The film provides a peelable seal to any heat-seal-coated web or peelable film, such as the company’s Core-Peel or FM peelable films. It is suitable for EtO, radiation, and E-beam sterilization. Amcor Flexibles Healthcare, Mundelein, IL; 800/447-0049; www.amcor.com/flexibles-healthcare. 
MedPak, Booth #625

Vented Packaging

A vented package is suitable for products requiring ethylene oxide sterilization. This versatile package benefits medical products, such as surgical kits, tubing, catheters, dialysis aids, and implant material. It eliminates up to 80% of traditional breathable material costs along with trim waste. Suppliers using the SterileVent package reduce the amount of breathable material needed while extending proper ventilation and sterility. The breathable material can be cut into a variety of shapes and sizes and applied to either flexible or rigid films. The SterileVent package is processed in-line on an automated R240 or R530 thermoform-fill-seal rollstock system, consistently meeting specific packaging and printing guidelines and barrier and sterility requirements. Multivac, Kansas City, MO; 800/800-8552; www.multivac.com. 
MidPak, Booth #104

Aptitude Testing

A company tests candidates for mechanical and electrical aptitude. The Standard Timing Model (The Minimizer) and the New Task Series for the selection-evaluation program allow hiring managers to ascertain in a short time whether a job candidate has the mechanical instinct to justify training as an adjuster, maintenance mechanic, production operator, or troubleshooter. The program encompasses many of the basic operations of an automatic high-speed production machine. By introducing intentional malfunctions in the test device, the company measures the troubleshooting aptitude of job candidates. Scientific Management Techniques Inc., Londonderry, NH; 603/421-0222; www.scientific-management.com. 
MidPak, Booth #244

Cases

A company produces metal and plastic enclosures for product protection. Cases are built to meet or exceed the demands of the industry, such as the need for protection for valuable or sensitive medical equipment. Capabilities range from very small custom enclosures to very large and complex fabricated assemblies. Zero Manufacturing, North Salt Lake, UT; 801/298-5900; www.zerocases.com. 
MidPak, Booth #312

X-Ray Inspection

X-ray inspection products are designed for the medical, pharmaceutical, optical, and any other industry that needs to ensure 100% product quality using nondestructive inspection on the production line. KMV’s InnerVision products can be used where manufacturers need to check for internal defects in all manufactured parts or packages after the assembly process or packaging process. Its small size, low power requirements, high-inspection throughput, and network connectivity make it a reliable nondestructive inspection system for the factory floor. Automation Inc., Rockford, IL; 815/387-4040; www.kmvtech.com. 
MidPak, Booth #311

Ampules

Plastic ampules offer a delivery system that allows for product application in hard-to-reach places. The ampules allow the user to activate the package with a gentle squeeze of one hand, rupturing the patented internal membrane. Another gentle squeeze dispenses the contents onto the applicator tip. The user easily controls the rate and flow of the liquid. The package configuration is available in various sizes to allow for flexible dosing. James Alexander Corp., Blairstown, NJ; 908/362-9266; www.james-alexander.com.  
MidPak, Booth #320

Product Development Services

A company offers a variety of product development services, including product strategy development and brand management, brand and company naming with national registration, and logo and corporate identity design. Package design and point-of-purchase displays, sales materials, trade show booth design, and complete Web site development services are also available. Delegato, Billings, MT; 406/ 252-9819; www.delegato.com. 
MidPak, Booth #221

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