Materials & Manufacturing

PHOx: An Innovative, Safer Polymer for Implantable Medical Devices

A team from the GIGA (Cardiology Laboratory) and the CESAM (Centre de recherche sur les macromolécules – CERM) at the University of Liège has developed PHOx, a thermoplastic elastomer without isocyanate PU (NIPU), which is therefore less toxic to produce and much better tolerated by the human body. Read on to learn more.

New Products and Services

See the new products and services, including Dickson's mapping suite designed to streamline the identification of critical hot and cold zones and the analysis of temperature and humidity trends; Littelfuse's series of sealed tactile switches for surface-mount technology; Mahr Inc.'s height gage designed for ease of use and efficiency in production environments; and more.

Elevating Modern Drug-Delivery Devices with Advanced Polymers

In addressing the complex demands of drug-device integration, medical-grade thermoplastic polyurethanes provide a rare trifecta of tunable mechanics, chemical inertness and proven biocompatibility. While this polymer class is historically underutilized in drug delivery compared to more common materials like ethylene-vinyl acetate, it is increasingly favored in specialty product design for both extended release and implantable combination devices. Read on to learn more.

Laser Welding for Polymer Tubing: A New Solution for Adhesive- and Additive-Free Joining

Engineers at EWI have developed a new laser-based welding technique that enables the clean, reliable joining of clear-to-clear polymer tubing without the need for adhesives, solvents, colorants, or any chemical surface treatment. Read on to learn more.

Fitting More Functionality Into Increasingly Smaller, Smarter Devices: Heterogeneous Integration

Engineering and manufacturing complex devices requires heterogeneous integration; the process of combining multiple, different parts that together have the functionality required that gather process and communicate the important information. Read on to learn more.

Critical Manufacturing Acquires Convanit to Advance AI-Powered Image Analytics in Smart Manufacturing

Critical Manufacturing, a provider of next-generation manufacturing execution systems (MES), has acquired Convanit, an AI specialist focused...

Flexible Material Offers Promise for Self-Powered Wearable Sensors

Could clothing monitor a person’s health in real time, because the clothing itself is a self-powered sensor? A new material created through electrospinning, which is a...

Innovative Tech Enables Shape Memory Dental Aligners

A new technology incorporates a shape memory material for clear plastic dental aligners, an alternative to traditional metal braces.

PRIME Project Launches to Strengthen Nitinol Supply Chain

Five leading companies in the medical device industry have launched the PRIME project — a strategic initiative dedicated to advancing the consistency, scalability, and performance of...

New Products and Services

See the new products and services, including Dymax's expanded portfolio of TPO-free light-curable materials; Instron's advanced noncontacting video extensometer; Würth Elektronik's extended RGB LED product series; Arnold Magnetic Technologies' line of high-energy flexible magnets; and more.

Fiber Computer Allows Apparel to Run Apps and “Understand” the Wearer

What if the clothes you wear could care for your health? MIT researchers have developed an autonomous programmable computer in the form of an elastic fiber, which could monitor health conditions and physical activity, alerting the wearer to potential health risks in real time. Read on to learn more about it.

Long-Lasting 3D Printed Wearable Transforms Health Monitoring

A long-lasting, 3D-printed, adhesive-free wearable provides a more comprehensive picture of a user’s physiological state. The device, which measures water vapor and skin emissions of gases, continuously tracks and logs physiological data associated with dehydration, metabolic shifts, and stress levels. Read on to learn more.

Micro Solutions, Major Advances: Micromolding Fuels the Next Generation of Medical Devices

With its unmatched precision and scalability, micromolding is reshaping what is possible in medical device manufacturing. From early prototyping to high-volume production, this technology empowers manufacturers to meet demanding requirements while accelerating innovation. Read on to learn more.

3D Ink Improves Comfort, Durability of ‘Smart Wearables’

Researchers have demonstrated a 3D ink printing method for so-called smart fabrics that continues to perform well after repeated washings and abrasion tests. The research...

Wound Dressings Made of Drug-Releasing Polymers

Electrospinning has been used to produce polymer fibers containing the well-known antibacterial drug metronidazole. The mats formed could potentially be used as wound dressings, thanks to an...

Advanced Laser Welding Techniques for Titanium Pacemaker Housing: Achieving Precision, Reliable and Hermetic Sealing

A pacemaker is a small device that helps control your heartbeat so you can return to your normal life. It has three main...

Precision in Motion: The Future of Robotics and Automation in Medical Device Manufacturing

As regulatory demands intensify and product complexity grows, automation and robotics provide medtech engineers with a powerful set of tools. From high-speed motion control to cleanroom-certified cobots and predictive maintenance, the technologies now available can transform the entire device manufacturing life cycle. Read on to learn more.

Key Trends Drive the Future of Medical Device Manufacturing

Medical device contract manufacturing is poised for robust and sustained growth, with the global market projected to surpass $150 billion by 2030. This expansion is being driven by technological innovations, shifting healthcare demands, and increasing reliance on outsourcing to improve efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Read on to learn more.

2024 Sustainability Stakeholder Study - Healthcare

In 2024, Plastics Ingenuity interviewed a share of the stakeholders in the healthcare packaging sector. These organizations include medical device manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, biotech products, and life science applications. Read on to learn more.

Manufacturing Technologies: A 2025 Medical Device Industry Outlook

The global medical device manufacturing industry is undergoing a rapid transformation driven by technological innovation, automation, and increasing demands for customized, high-quality care. This article provides an overview of key technological advancements reshaping the medical device manufacturing landscape, including additive manufacturing, robotics, laser welding, and more.

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.

Film Cast PTFE Liner and Tubing: An Inside Look at Quality from a Manufacturing Perspective

This article explores how the film cast process manufactures micro tubing products from liquid polymer coatings, then defines three important test methods and specifications that are needed to optimize film cast PTFE’s quality and material strength properties. Read on to learn more.

Qosina Partners with Sealed Air to Offer Bioprocessing Bag Film

Qosina, a distributor of single-use medical and biopharmaceutical components, has formed a strategic partnership with Sealed Air, a provider of high-performance packaging...

Video Spotlight on Products and Services

See where the video spotlight is this month: on CNC machining; micro linear actuators; a lab tube cutting machine; the 601 series Air Turbine Spindle® mills at 90,000 RPM; MD® multipurpose adhesives; and much more.

Project Set to Develop New Sustainable Materials for Application In Bioprocessing

An industry-academia collaboration to advance sustainable bioprocessing through innovative materials for additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing, has been announced by Innovate UK (IUK), as part of the “Sustainable Medicines Manufacturing Innovation: Collaborative R&D Fund.” Read on to learn more.

Precision in Miniature: New Microgripper Technology for Electronics and Assembly

Researchers at the Beijing Institute of Technology have unveiled an innovative electrothermal microgripper that promises to improve microelectronics, biomedical engineering, and MEMS applications. With its remarkable deformation capabilities, excellent size compatibility and reliable catch strength, the microgripper enables the manipulation and assembly of micro- and nano-scale objects with exceptional efficiency. Read on to learn more about it.

System Optimizes Behavior of 3D Printed Materials

A system has been developed to optimize the electrical, thermal, and mechanical behavior of 3D-printed materials. A team has developed an innovative computational model that makes it possible to predict and improve the behavior of multifunctional structures manufactured using 3D printers. Read on to learn more.

Additive Manufacturing of Biomedical Metals for Medical Implant Fabrication

Biomedical metal implant materials are widely used in clinical applications, including dental implants, hip replacement, bone plates, and screws. However, traditional manufacturing processes face limitations in meeting customized medical needs, internal structural control, and efficient material utilization. Read on to learn more.