From the Editor - Welcome to the Inaugural Medical Design Briefs Resource Guide

As the pace of innovation accelerates across the medical device industry, staying informed on core technologies and market trends is more important than ever. With that in mind, we are proud to introduce the 2025 summer edition of the Medical Design Briefs Resource Guide — a new, semi-annual issue designed to deliver essential insights into the components, materials, and services that power medical device development and manufacturing. Read on to learn more.

A Bionic Hand that Can Grip Like a Human

Johns Hopkins University engineers have developed a pioneering prosthetic hand that can grip plush toys, water bottles, and other everyday objects like a human, carefully conforming and adjusting its grasp to avoid damaging or mishandling whatever it holds.

Guest Editorial: The Power of One When Choosing Stent and Catheter Partners

As device designs become increasingly sophisticated, medtech companies are understandably seeking contract design and manufacturing partners that can accompany them on...

A Tapeworm-Inspired, Tissue-Anchoring Mechanism for Medical Devices

A new interdisciplinary effort led by Robert Wood, the Harry Lewis and Marlyn McGrath Professor of Engineering and Applied Sciences in the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and James Weaver, of Harvard’s Wyss Institute, has drawn inspiration from an unexpected source: the world of parasites. Read on to learn more.

Inside the OEM: Johnson & Johnson MedTech Maintaining Its Edge

Johnson & Johnson continues to advance its leadership in medtech and innovative medicine by focusing on high-growth, high-innovation markets. Recent strategic acquisitions have strengthened its cardiovascular portfolio, contributing to significant sales growth. Read on to learn more about the company, which is well positioned for sustained growth in 2025 and beyond.

Videos of the Month

See the videos of the month, including one on an enzyme that can aid drug design for aggressive cancers; one on a modified pacifier combined with AI algorithms to analyze data; one on Robert Wood discussing results that suggest omalizumab has the potential to be a life-changing medication for patients with food allergy, including those with multiple food allergies; and one on a novel framework to localize skin lesion correspondence.

Hourglass-Shaped Stent Could Ease Severe Chest Pain from Microvascular Disease

A study at Mayo Clinic suggests that an hourglass-shaped stent could improve blood flow and ease severe and reoccurring chest pain in people with microvascular disease. Of 30 participants in a phase 2 clinical trial, 76 percent saw improvement in their day-to-day life. Read on to learn more.

Researchers Develop Wireless Brain Neural Signal Recorder

Researchers have developed a fully embedded wireless brain neural signal recorder. The device was created by Prof. Jang Kyung-in. Read on to learn more.

Gen AI Isn’t Ready (for Medical Devices)

Gen AI is an impressive technology with seemingly limitless applications. We’ve barely begun to scratch the surface of what it can do. But it’s this very limitlessness that makes it a poor fit for use inside of a medical device. Read on to learn more.

Emerging Trends in Drug Delivery

A look at drug-delivery innovations that will shape the landscape and improve therapeutic outcomes for patients in the future.

The Evolution of Precision Drug Delivery

A look at the transformative journey of drug-delivery devices, from traditional syringes to cutting-edge technologies, exploring the evolution of precision in administering medications for enhanced patient experience.

Project Aims to Improve LVADs

Researchers are bringing together multiple areas of technical expertise to improve LVAD performance and outcomes. Read on to learn what this means.

Medical Rising Star Award Winner 2024: Oonagh Hassett

Oonagh Hassett, Program Manager, Symphysis Medical from Galway, Ireland, is the 2024 Rising Star Award Winner for Medical.

AI's Role in Advanced Medtech Manufacturing

AI is optimizing manufacturing efficiency, quality control, and supply chain management.

Cadence Rebrands to Reflect Commitment to Innovation

Cadence, Inc., a provider of vertically integrated contract manufacturing solutions to the medtech and pharma markets, is excited to announce a significant milestone in the company’s...

Exploring Robotics and Cobots in Medical Device Production

How robotics and cobots are providing increased efficiency and quality in the medical device production process.

Overcoming Challenges in Material Selection for 3D Printed Medical Devices

In this season, we are taking an in-depth look at Printed Health: Transforming Medicine with Advanced Manufacturing, and this episode will focus specifically on...

Making EVs Accessible for All

To address the needs of wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) users in the U.K.’s transition to electric, Motability Operations has revealed eVITA. It’s an accessible and versatile concept electric wheelchair accessible vehicle (eWAV), designed in collaboration with CALLUM.

The Landscape of 3D Printing in Healthcare

The ethical implications of integrating robots into healthcare, discussing topics such as patient trust, privacy concerns, and the balance between human and robotic interaction in caregiving.

The Human Touch: Ethical Considerations in Healthcare Robotics

The ethical implications of integrating robots into healthcare, discussing topics such as patient trust, privacy concerns, and the balance between human and robotic interaction in caregiving.

Automating Healthcare: The Role of Robots

How robots are being utilized for tasks in clinics and hospitals, from delivering medications to managing inventory and performing tasks such as taking blood pressure.

Advances and Innovations in Assistive Robotics

Exploring advances and innovations in assistive robotics.

Surgical Precision: Robotics in the Operating Room

Exploring how robotics are enhancing precision and minimizing invasiveness of surgical procedures.

Trelleborg Medical Solutions Expands Capabilities Through Innovation Center

Trelleborg Medical Solutions has launched an Innovation Center in Plymouth, MN. An expansion of the company's former Rapid Development Center, it is designed to...

Part 2: Designing Piezo Handpieces for Ultrasonic Surgery

Part 1 of this article , which ran in March 2023, looked at the general structure, design variants, and system design of ultrasonic medical handpieces. Part 2 now reviews driver design, special applications, drive electronics, and failure mechanisms.

From the Editor - Study: The Post-COVID Impact of 3D Printing and Generative Design

As the COVID pandemic began to drive rapid changes in healthcare, innovative manufacturers and makers around the world began using 3D printing and generative design to fill a dire need for masks, swabs, ventilator components, and other medical equipment. Read on to learn more thoughts from Sherrie Trigg, Editor and Director of Medical Content.

Precision and Personalized Medicine: The Role of Phenotypes

Phenotyping allows for a deeper understanding of an individual’s unique characteristics, contributing to more effective and targeted medical interventions.

Part 1: Designing Piezo Handpieces for Ultrasonic Surgery

Part 1 of this article looks at the general structure, design variants, and system design of ultrasonic medical handpieces. In a future issue, Part 2 will examine driver design, special applications, drive electronics, and failure mechanisms.

Breaking Barriers: Women Engineers Transforming the Landscape of Medical Device Innovation

Women are making significant contributions in the field of medical device engineering, playing key roles in innovation, research, development, and leadership. The Women in Engineering: Rising Star Awards program will celebrate and recognize women engineers who are enhancing the engineering profession through contributions to the industry and society in six categories: Aerospace/Defense, Automotive/Transportation, Electronics, Manufacturing, Medical, and Sustainability.