New Shape-Memory Alloys Embrace Multitasking

A new generation of shape-memory alloys that can “remember” several shapes has the potential to revolutionise an array of products including medical devices. Multiple Memory Material Technology, developed by engineering researchers at the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada, will enable expanded functionality in devices such as stents, braces and hearing aids, according to a press release issued by the university. See below to watch a video that shows the material in action. Read more…

Posted in Materials, medtechinsider | Add Comment 

Parylene Facilitates Advances in Intraocular Implant Technology

I just received the summer issue of the Global Coverage e-newsletter from Specialty Coating Services, a supplier of parylene coating services, which has a couple of noteworthy items. The lead story covers the opening of a new plant in Pilsen, Czech Republic, which medtechinsider reported on back in August. Of more interest to me is a piece on how parylene conformal coatings are advancing intraocular implant technology. Read more…

Posted in Coating, qmed daily europe | Add Comment 

Scientists Use Computer Modelling to Develop Better Stents

Suncica Canic, a professor at the University of Houston, uses computer models to design stents. Here, a 3-D computer model of a stent. Credit: Suncica Canic, Mate Kosor and Josip Tambaca; University of Houston and University of Zagreb

Even though stents are designed to be compatible with the human body, they sometimes cause unwanted reactions such as blood clots and scar tissue formation, explains Stephanie Dutchen from the NIGMS/NIH. So, scientists have tried to coat stents with cells that make the tiny tubes even more compatible. But these, too, aren’t yet perfect, says Suncica Canic, a professor of mathematics at the University of Houston. Blood flowing over a coated stent can still clot or tear cells away. This is, as Canic put it, “not good.” Supported by a joint grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute of General Medical Science (NIH/NIGMS), Cancic makes computer models to guide the search for a better stent coating. Read more…

Posted in Research | Add Comment 

European Collaborative Research to Develop Lab-on-Chip System for Cancer Diagnosis

At the Engineering in Medicine and Biology Conference (EMBC) in Buenos Aires, Argentina, imec and its project partners announced the launch of the European Seventh Framework Project MIRACLE. The MIRACLE project aims at developing an operational lab-on-chip for the isolation and detection of circulating and disseminated tumor cells (CTCs and DTCs) in blood. The new lab-on-chip is expected to be an essential step towards faster and cost-efficient diagnosis of cancer. Read more…

Posted in Electronics, Nanotechnology and Microtechnology | Add Comment 

European Commission Issues Plain-Vanilla Report on Reuse of SUDs

The debate on the reuse of single-use devices, which flares up from time to time, is on the front burner again thanks to a report from the European Commission. Eucomed has issued a press release welcoming the report whilst noting that it remains “typically neutral in terms of action at this stage.” Read more…

Posted in EU Regulatory, Regulation, qmed daily europe | Add Comment 

AAL Forum 2010 to be Held in Denmark

Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) is what everyone seems to be talking about these days. And considering the demographic changes in Europe, everyone should be aware of AAL technologies. With an ageing population, it becomes ever more important to develop technologies that improve the quality of life of the elderly. One objective is to develop technologies that help people remain active and independent for as long as possible. To discuss these challenges, the Ambient Assisted Living Forum – AAL Forum – will take place 15 to 17 September 2010 in Odense, Denmark. The Forum provides an international platform for discussions about future challenges and possibilities within AAL in Europe.  Read more…

Posted in Ambient assisted living and homecare products, Forums | Add Comment 

New Pump Created for Microneedle Drug-Delivery Patch

Babak Ziaie, a professor at Purdue University shows a new type of pump for drug-delivery patches that might use arrays of microneedles to deliver a wider range of medications than now possible with conventional patches. Image source: Mark Simons/Purdue University

Researchers at Purdue University have developed a new type of pump for drug-delivery patches that might use arrays of “microneedles” to deliver a wider range of medications than now possible with conventional patches. The current “transdermal” patches are limited to delivering drugs that, like nicotine, are made of small hydrophobic molecules that can be absorbed through the skin, says Babak Ziaie, a professor of electrical and computer engineering and biomedical engineering.

“There are only a handful of drugs that currently can be administered with patches,” he says. “Most new drugs are large molecules that won’t go through the skin. And a lot of drugs, such as those for treating cancer and autoimmune disorders, you can’t take orally because they aren’t absorbed into the blood system through the digestive tract.” Read more…

Posted in Drug delivery, Research, qmed daily europe | Add Comment 

Clariant Introduces Medical-Grade Master Batches at ICSE

Change may be good under some circumstances, but not when it involves the materials used for medical devices and pharmaceutical packaging. To support industry’s demand for reliability and consistency, materials supplier Clariant has announced that it will unveil its new brand of master batches and compounds for pharmaceutical and medical applications at ICSE 2010, a pharma-focused outsourcing exhibition held from 5 to 7 October at the Villepinte exhibition centre near Paris Charles de Gaulle airport.

The press release issued by Clariant notes that ICSE visitors will be the first to discover how its controlled, compliant and consistent products deliver colour and functionality whilst minimising the risks and costs of noncompliance. Read more…

Posted in Materials, qmed daily europe | Add Comment 

Polymer Paves the Way for Self-Healing Materials

A ring-like polymer molecule was stretched by an ultrasonic process and then sprung back to be smaller than it was initially (right).

A research team from Duke University and Stanford University has found a polymer molecule that’s so springy it snaps back from stretching much smaller than it was before. Duke graduate student Jeremy Lenhardt and associate professor Stephen Craig have been systematically hunting through a library of polymers in search of a molecule that might be useful for “self-healing” materials. They hope to find a polymer that can trigger a chemical reaction when it is stretched and enable a material to build its own repairs.

Imagine a sheet of plastic wrap that could fix a microscopic puncture before the hole ever got big enough to see. This would require that the polymer molecules immediately around the tear could somehow jump into action and perform new chemistry to build bridges across the hole. Read more…

Posted in Research, qmed daily europe | Add Comment 

Boston Scientific Applauds Sil-Pro’s Commitment to Quality

Supplier of moulding services Sil-Pro has received the  CRM 2009 Rhythm Award from Boston Scientific for demonstrating “excellence relative to the exacting quality and continuous improvement expectations,” according to a press release issued by the company.

“We are extremely pleased and grateful for the effort Sil-Pro employees put forth,” says Brian Higgins, Sil-Pro Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “Our primary business objective is to make Sil-Pro the leading supplier of custom silicone moulded components for the medical device industry. Our growth and the Boston Scientific award are evidence that we are achieving our goals.” Read more…

Posted in Business News, qmed daily europe | Add Comment 

Modified Polymer Components Expansion More than Doubles its Capacity

Modified Polymer Components Inc., a developer and manufacturer of custom plastic components for medical device OEMs, has announced the completion of its development and manufacturing facilities expansion from 23,000 to 49,600 square feet. The company, which is certified to ISO 9001:2008 and ISO 13485:2003, offers micromoulding and electrical assembly and tube bending with thermoplastics and metals. It also produces reinforced shafts, introducers and obturators.

Read more…

Posted in Business News, qmed daily europe | Add Comment 

BVMed Report Cites Good Job Prospects for German Medtech Industry, but Shortage of Qualified Staff

According to a current survey by German Medical Technology Association BVMed, job vacancies in the medical industry can be found in 96% of the companies. However, it is becoming increasingly difficult for the companies to recruit adequately qualified staff, states the report. In the survey in which 94 BVMed member companies participated, 94% of participants claimed job prospects for engineers to be good to very good. For qualified professionals, this number even amounted to 98%. Vacancies can mainly be found in sales (66 of the 94 companies), marketing and communication (35), key account management (27) and research & development (24). Only 4% of the companies claimed not to be offering any jobs at the moment. But, according to the survey, 91% of the companies are encountering increasing problems to fill vacancies, especially in sales but also in key account management and research.  Read more…

Posted in Industry News, Trade Associations, qmed daily europe | Add Comment