Materials & Manufacturing

Medical Design Briefs and MedAccred Team Up to Support Medical Manufacturing Excellence at MD&M West 2026

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Inside the OEM: Medtronic’s Growth and Next Wave of Innovation

When Thierry Piéton stepped into the role of executive vice president and chief financial officer of Medtronic earlier this year, he entered one of the largest and most complex organizations in the medical technology industry. Read on to go inside the OEM.

New Products and Services

See the new products and services, including Syensqo's medical-grade polyphthalamide; non-PFAS low-retention additives for pipette tips from Avient; Binder's expanded M8 connector portfolio; fiber laser marking systems for UDI and traceability codes from FOBA; and more.

Electronic Fiber Provides Stretchable Sensing

EPFL researchers have engineered a fiber-based electronic sensor that remains functional even when stretched to over 10 times its original length. The device holds promise for smart textiles, physical rehabilitation devices, and soft robotics. Read on to learn more about it.

Videos of the Month

See the videos of the month, including one on using microfluidic devices for gene therapy; one on resisting antibiotic resistance; one on a humanoid robot surgeon; and more.

Multifunctional ANF/Mxene-Enhanced Hydrogels for Flexible EMI Shielding and Wearable Sensing Applications

Researchers from Harbin Institute of Technology and their collaborators have developed a multifunctional polyelectrolyte hydrogel reinforced with aramid nanofibers (ANFs) and MXene nanosheets, achieving outstanding performance in absorption-dominated electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding and wearable sensing. Read on to learn more.

Advanced High-Repetition-Rate Lasers Drive Next-Gen Imaging

By overcoming some of the traditional constraints in pulse frequency, energy output, and tuning speed, tunable high-repetition rate OPO lasers will enable researchers to develop next-generation imaging modalities that capture much higher resolution images in a fraction of the time. Read on to learn more.

Conductive Hydrogel Holds Promise for Implants

A team of scientists has developed a soft polymer hydrogel that can conduct electricity as well as metal can. Read on to learn more.

3D Printing Method ‘Grows’ Ultra-Strong Materials

Researchers have pioneered a 3D printing method that grows metals and ceramics inside a water-based gel, resulting in exceptionally dense, yet intricate constructions for next-generation biomedical technologies. Read on to learn more about it.

Bioadhesive Sponge Stops Internal Bleeding

Researchers combined mussel adhesive protein with decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) to develop a composite hemostatic sponge that offers both strong tissue adhesion and biocompatible biodegradability. Read on to learn more.

MD&M West Show Preview

Returning to Anaheim this February, MD&M West 2026 brings the global medical device community together for three days of engineering insight, manufacturing expertise, and technology breakthroughs. As one of the largest gatherings of medtech professionals in North America, the event showcases the full spectrum of product development. Read on to learn all about it.

OEM Toll Processing Advances High-Value Products

Toll processing (or toll manufacturing) involves a manufacturer processing customer-supplied materials or parts for a predetermined fee. The customer retains ownership of the materials, while the toll provider applies specialized technologies, equipment, and expertise to deliver the finished components. Read on to learn more about it.

Elevating Antimicrobial Coatings to a New Standard: Introducing Surface-Active Systems

There are two main product ranges: Surface-active therapeutics and surface-active materials. Read on to learn more about them.

Mitigating Leak Failures Using Radial Grinding Equipment

The development of the grinding machine was a complex task, requiring ample hours and engineering trials to complete. Read on to learn more about it and what it can do.

Built to Adapt: Rethinking Contract Manufacturing for a New Era

In this Q&A, Brian Semcer, president of MICRO, talks to Medical Design Briefs about how the next generation of contract manufacturers is redefining agility, quality, and partnership in the medical device ecosystem. Read now!

Advances in Polyimide Tubing for Next-Generation Medical Devices

Minimally invasive and interventional platforms increasingly demand smaller profiles, tighter tolerances, and components that maintain performance under thermal, chemical, and mechanical stress. Polyimide (PI) has emerged as a workhorse within these parameters. Read on to learn why.

Material Science Innovations for Medical Devices

New materials are enabling the production of medical devices that are stronger, more flexible, and more sustainable.

Automation, Robotics, and AI Integration in Medical Manufacturing

AI-driven quality control, predictive maintenance, and process optimization are improving efficiency and reducing costs in medical manufacturing.

New Material Extends Life of Orthopedic Implants

A pioneering liquid metal combination is shaping up as a potential secret weapon in the global fight against antimicrobial resistance and promises to outlast existing implant materials.

Product of the Month

See the product of the month: Evonik's clinical-grade version of its recombinant collagen-like protein platform for medical device development. Read on to learn more about it.

3D Printed Diamond–Titanium Device Could Lead to Longer-Lasting Implants

RMIT researchers have created an experimental 3D printed diamond–titanium device that generates electricity from flowing liquid and receives wireless power through tissue making it possible to remotely sense changes in flow. Read on to learn more about it.

Product Focus: Assembly/Manufacturing Equipment

See where the product focus is this month: On assembly/manufacturing equipment, including Air Turbine Technology Inc.'s tools with cutting speeds of 60,000 and 80,000 RPM for Swiss lathes; Nordson EFD's jetting system designed for precision fluid applications in medical device assembly; Right-angle M12 connectors for through-hole reflow soldering are available from Phoenix Contact; and Sunnen Products Company's honing oil for precision machining and medical device manufacturing.

Metamaterial Could Transform Ingestible and Implantable Medical Devices

Researchers, led by Rice University’s Yong Lin Kong, have developed a soft but strong metamaterial that can be controlled remotely to rapidly transform its size and shape. The invention, published in Science Advances, represents a significant advancement that can potentially transform ingestible and implantable medical devices. Read on to learn more about it.

Understanding Sensors for Medical Pump Technology

Medical pumps are at the heart of modern healthcare delivery. Their success depends on precise, reliable, and safe operation — capabilities enabled by advanced sensor technologies. From occlusion detection to bubble monitoring and temperature control, sensors provide the intelligence that allows pumps to perform with confidence in critical care environments. Read on to learn more.