May/June 2008
Medical Device Technology
Selected Contents
MATERIALS
Material Matters Column: Defining Nanotechnology
David Williams
A confusing array of terms has arisen with the rapid emergence of the subject of nanotechnology. In this article a recently derived framework for definitions of these terms is discussed.
DESIGN
Microfluidics: A Technology Coming of Age
H. Becker
The number of applications and products utilising microfluidics technology has been growing rapidly. This article highlights the progress of this maturing technology and the significant factors that make it a valuable tool for new product development.
The Interface of Medical Devices and Pharmaceuticals: Part II
S. L. Willis and A. L. Lewis
The technical challenges of developing combination products were addressed in Part I of this two part article.1 Part II reviews the preclinical tests and shelf-life testing that are required using drug eluting stents and drug eluting beads as examples. Regulatory considerations and ways to simplify development are also examined.
Transdermal Drug Delivery Devices for Chronotherapy
D. Hradetzky
Efficient treatment of diseases is expected when the timing of drug delivery is taken into account and adjusted in a proper way. This implies an easy to use, noninteractive and user independent drug delivery system that allows delivery at anytime. This article discusses developments in chronotherapeutic delivery devices that offer a form of drug administration that maximises drug effectiveness.
MANUFACTURING
Polyimide Tubing: Dispelling the Myths
T.J. Lynch
The capabilities and potential of polyimide and polyimide tubing are gaining popularity in the medical design market place as a result of the increasing need for minimally invasive surgical devices. This article looks at the myths surrounding the tubing to better understand its advantages for medical applications.
D. MacLellan
The need for micro joining metallic alloys for surgical instruments, implants and advanced medical devices is driving a rapid increase in the implementation of laser welding technology in research, development and volume production. This article discusses the advantages of this welding method and the types of lasers used in the process.
Rapid Medical Advances Challenge the Tooling Industry
B. Conley
The requirement for greater performance in smaller spaces has increased demands for product and process innovation in tubing and other medical products. In turn, these developments have placed greater demands on the producers of the advanced tooling for these products. Tooling manufacturers must now continuously design equipment with much tighter tolerances for more sophisticated coextrusions and for newer generations of multilumen and multilayer tubing.
REGULATION & STANDARDS
New Italian Device Registration Requirements
Maria Donawa
A medical device manufacturer located outside Europe was informed by an Italian distributor that the European Authorised Representative must designate the distributor as the authorised entity when registering the manufacturer’s devices in Italy in a new online data bank. This is incorrect. This article discusses the new requirements for registering medical devices in Italy, together with the steps in the registration process and common problems encountered.
MARKETS
The Italian Industry: Meeting Today’s Challenges
Companies make the most of their environment to respond to market difficulties.
Many of the critical issues of 2007 are under review and legislative reforms can be expected.
THE INTERVIEW
Medical Device Technology’s (MDT) series of interviews offers a range of personal perspectives on the diverse and dynamic medical device technology industry. Here, we talk to Professor Dr Jörg Vienken.
THIS MONTH
Developments Across the Industry
- Funded collaboration on offer
- Drug delivery to intensify
- Staffing problems in microtechnology



