2009
The Source Book
Selected Contents
ASSEMBLY
Five Facts About Assembly Equipment
Joyce Laird
Choosing a partner for medical device assembly projects, whether the process is semi or fully automated, can be a difficult experience. In this article, several vendors offer tips to ensure a smooth sourcing process.
BIOMATERIALS
Joyce Laird
Sourcing biomaterials for the highly regulated medical device market is vastly different from shopping for industrial-grade materials. Following are some pointers from experts that may help you in your materials (and supplier) selection process.
CONNECTORS
Joyce Laird and Yvonne Klöpping
Selecting a connector for medical applications is closely tied to the use of the end product. The pointers below should help you find a connector supplier to meet your needs.
EXTRUSION
Brian Buntz
Tubing used in medical devices often has unique requirements that can push extrusion machinery to the limit. Here is what a few experts recommend you look for when sourcing equipment for making tubing in-house.
FILTERS
Joyce Laird and Yvonne Klöpping
Filtration is a key part of various medical procedures where it is critical to maintain a sterile field that is free of bacteria and contaminants. When sourcing a supplier of IV and medical filters, you may find the following tips helpful.
MOULDING
Joyce Laird and Yvonne Klöpping
By working closely with the moulding engineer from the beginning of the design process to first article, “moulding concerns can be addressed during the design phase and not after the design has been approved, providing a much more efficient process,” says Robert Ballard, Engineering Manager, Da/Pro Rubber Inc. (Valencia, California, USA).
PACKAGING
Joyce Laird and Yvonne Klöpping
Medical packaging covers an array of products ranging from peel pouches to blister packs and lidding materials. Whether you are outsourcing packaging services or buying packaging materials to assemble in-house, partnering with a company with a solid background in medical packaging should be your first priority.
QUALITY CONTROL
Five Facts About Quality-Control Systems
Joyce Laird and Yvonne Klöpping
Quality control (QC) is a wide-ranging subject, covering everything from sensors to vision inspection and completely integrated systems. Below, you will find some basic pointers to consider when sourcing systems or services.
SURFACE TREATMENT
Five Facts About Surface Treatment
Joyce Laird
Surface treatment can be performed to make a medical device more compatible for a specific purpose, to render it antimicrobial, or to protect sensitive parts and electronics from corrosion and signal failure. Whatever your application, here is some sound sourcing advice from suppliers of surface treatment services.
TESTING EQUIPMENT
Five Facts About Testing Equipment
Brian Buntz
Testing equipment can provide the assurance that your company’s medical devices perform as intended and meet regulatory requirements. Partnering with an experienced manufacturer can help you select the system best suited to your needs.
TUBING
Brian Buntz
Tubing for medical applications varies widely according to the application. Below is some advice from experts that should help you find what you are looking for.
