Medical Device Link.

Originally Published PMPN October 2005

Show Coverage

Medical Packagers Round Up for MD&M Minneapolis and MidPak

The latest in products and services will be on display for the largest gathering of packaging professionals in the Midwest.

For the past decade, MD&M Minneapolis has featured the largest display of the industry’s latest medical equipment, supplies, and services in the region. More than 7000 people in the industry are expected to attend the event, now collocated with MidPak, which will take place Tuesday through Thursday, November 1–3, at the Minneapolis Convention Center. At MD&M Minneapolis, the MedPak Pavilion will feature dispensers, fillers, flexible pouches, and barrier films. MidPak serves as a venue for key suppliers in the food and beverage, medical electronics/IT, printing, and transportation /industrial packaging sectors, with more than 700 exhibiting companies.

Several sessions addressing medical device packaging will be offered. These sessions will cover issues such as shelf-life qualification, IQ/OQ and packaging equipment validation, seal-strength testing, virtual package design, traceability, and the use of color machine vision for medical device inspection.

Exhibitors and attendees will also have the opportunity to hear sessions covering risk management for medical devices, product development, process validation, biomaterials qualification and selection for spinal implants, device development and design, new insights and trends in chemical characterization, and more. MD&M Minneapolis and MidPak are produced by Canon Communications LLC. Expo hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, November 2–3. Conference hours begin on Tuesday, November 1, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and continue on Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For information about the show, visit www.mdmminn.com and www.devicelink.com/expo/midpak05/.

MDM Minneapolis Product Previews

Protective Packaging

A company will exhibit its line of protective packaging. It offers an alternative to foam and vinyl packaging. BargerGard is a biodegradable and recyclable material that can be thermoformed, die-cut, and RF welded into various shapes to protect products. The company also offers thermoformed trays, lid conversion, protective components, and folding cartons. Barger Packaging, Elkhart, IN; 888/525-2845; www.bargerpackaging.com.
Booth #615

Six-Axis Robots

A company will feature a line of robots designed for assembly, dispensing, and lab automation. The robots are also capable of machine tending, material handling, and packaging. The Pro Six robots have a reach of up to 949 mm and can handle payloads up to 6 kg. Standard features include the company’s RC+ software and an open-architecture, PC-based controller. The company also offers Active-X controls, conveyor tracking, force sensing, and vision guidance. Epson, Carson, CA; 562/290-5910; www.robots.epson.com.

Booth #1326

Synthetic Fiber

A sterile-grade synthetic fiber substrate that offers puncture and tear resistance as well as bacterial barrier properties will be on display. Ovantex is available with a proprietary DotCoat hot-melt adhesive application. DotCoat provides a strong seal and anchorage, and maximizes porosity. It is resistant to condensation and prolonged exposure to UV light. Oliver Medical, Grand Rapids, MI; 800/253-3893; www.olivermedical.com.

Booth #716

Thermoformer

A custom thermoformer designs and manufactures rigid-plastic medical, electronic, and consumer trays. The company features a tray that combines the sterile field and tray into one unit by die-cutting an opening into the sterile wrap and then sealing the drape to the flange of the tray. The tray is stabilized during the procedure. The company is ISO 9001:2000 certified. Prent Corp., Janesville, WI; 608/754-0276; www.prent.com.

Booth #824

Antistatic Materials

A company has expanded its line of clear and lubricated antistatic materials for pharmaceutical and drug packaging. Applications include drug-inhalation devices that have antistatic thermoplastics incorporated into the drug flow channels. The permanent antistatic properties allow repeatable powder and aerosol dosages to flow through the device while retaining its clarity. The company uses antistatic ABS, acrylic, and cyclic olefin copolymers. RTP Co., Winona, MN; 800/433-4787; www.rtpcompany.com.

Booth #830

MidPak Product Previews

3D Printers

Printers are networked, desktop-modeling systems that provide CAD users an alternative for building functional 3D prints. Dimension 3D printers build models layer by layer using ABS plastic. The printers allow users to evaluate design concepts as well as test 3D prints for functionality, form, and fit. These models allow designers to produce short-run vacuum forms in order to validate a package design before investing in package production. Advanced Technology Systems Inc., 651/489-6990; www.advtek.com.

Booth #533

Packaging Machines

A company manufactures a lift-assist machine and vertical form-fill-seal packaging machines. The Strongarm manipulator is an ergonomic lift assist used to help operators move heavy or awkward loads. The Mira-Pak packaging machines can bag products at speeds up to 120 bags per minute. Bag sizes range from fractional packs to 14 ft wide. The packaging machines are designed to accept a range of peripheral equipment, including augers, scales, and code daters. J&J Manufacturing, Beaumont, TX; 409/833-8951; http://jjmanufacturing.com.

Booth #438

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