Materials & Manufacturing

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.

Ultrasonic Welding: Key Considerations for Designing Medical Wearables

The trend toward medical wearables will continue to grow in the coming years. At the same time, the requirements for skin compatibility, wearing comfort, and sustainability are increasing. Ultrasonic welding offers a reliable alternative to conventional bonding techniques to meet these increasing requirements. Read on to learn more.

Implementing Lean Six Sigma in the Medical Device Industry

Through universal models of self-evaluation and data analysis, the LSS methodology has proven to be an excellent tool in fostering major improvements within a business. In the medical device industry, it is particularly important that manufacturers maintain a mindset of continuous improvement and are willing to collaborate in the pursuit of common goals. Read on to learn more about it.

Why Photochemical Etching Is Becoming Critical for High-Precision Medical Manufacturing

The medical industry demands precision, biocompatibility, and reliability — all of which are fundamental strengths of PCE. As manufacturers continue to innovate, PCE will remain at the forefront of high-precision medical manufacturing, ensuring that medical devices perform at the highest level to improve patient outcomes worldwide. Read on to learn more.

Beyond The Illusion of Design for Additive Manufacturing In Medical Devices

The promise of additive manufacturing (AM) in the medical device industry has always been clear, the ability to create intricate geometries, patient-specific implants, and previously impossible structures. The reality, however, is far less inspiring. Read on to learn more.

Building a Strong Medical Device Supply Chain

Contract manufacturing partners play a vital role in the medical device supply chain. Their capability to meet precise design specifications is essential. When they consistently deliver high-quality results on schedule and within budget, they provide substantial value, helping manufacturers reduce risk, accelerate time to market, and maintain regulatory compliance. Read on to learn more.

Solving Post-Production Cleaning Challenges in Medical Device Manufacturing

Successful post-production cleaning in medical device manufacturing requires a comprehensive approach that addresses multiple challenges simultaneously. Read on to learn more about it.