5 Medical Device Supplier Innovations in 2020

Medical device suppliers have unveiled some amazing innovations this year. Failing to keep tabs on these advancements could keep you from growing your own medical device or biopharmaceutical company.

Long gone are the days when medical device suppliers simply produced or manufactured a medical device according to specification. In many instances, these organizations are producing highly customized medical solutions.

Good news: You can learn from the innovations that these vendors have developed—and use those insights to craft your own innovations.

With that in mind, which medical device supplier innovations should your growing life science organization monitor this year?

5 Amazing Medical Device Supplier Innovations in 2020

Here is a list of the top-line medical device supplier innovations in 2020. Use this list to keep tabs on the latest advancements and look for opportunities to build or refine your own medical device products and services.

1. Two-Component Injection Molding - Trelleborg

In a recent press release, Trelleborg announced that it acquired Sil-Pro, a medical device manufacturing outsourcer with specialty in silicone and molding.

Quickly after the acquisition, Trelleborg developed an advanced two-component injection technology to produce complex, high-precision parts.

Silicone is considered the gold standard of materials in the healthcare and medical segment due to its biocompatibility, inertness, and favorable physical and haptic attributes. Trelleborg is a world leader in high precision LSR and multi-component LSR processing. Multifaceted geometries are produced at our strategically positioned global manufacturing facilities in a consistent way, with the same processes worldwide - Ursula Nollenberger, Product Line Director.

This technology offers medtech companies with broader design capabilities and eliminates the need for secondary handling and/or assembly.

2. Medical Adhesive - 3M

Last year, 3M announced that it had added 3M Extended Wear Medical Transfer Adhesive 4075 to its lineup of advanced adhesives for medical devices.

We are excited to broaden our extended wear family with a product that provides customers greater design flexibility by letting them select a wide variety of backings, offering design engineers more patient-friendly adhesive options that provide comfort and a strong, reliable bond is a key part of our mission. Our customers work hard to make a difference in people’s lives, and our goal is to make it easier for them to work with challenging substrates like skin. —Marcello Napol, Vice President, Medical Solutions Division

3M's medical transfer adhesive offers advanced adhesion with up to a 14-day wear time, depending on the backing material used.

3. Advanced Braiding Technology - Teleflex Medical OEM

In a recent press release, Teleflex announced that it had developed an advanced braiding process that can divide a suture into multiple end branches or integrate several loops within one strand.

This continuous braiding process can produce variations of complex, divided segments at the end of a suture, or between singular round or flat tape segments. The need for expensive and time-intensive manual sewing is eliminated. The braiding technology allows for a broad range of configurations that are expected to be used in orthopedic applications where two sutures are presently used for fixation.

4. Polyurethane Dispersion Material - Covestro

Covestro is one of the leading producers of high-performance polymers in North America.

During a recent exhibition, Covestro debuted its Baymedix FD103 aqueous polyurethane dispersion. This material allows for rapid fluid transport without major swelling, making it ideal for wound care.

Its thermoformability (via heat and pressure) allows design flexibility for wearables and dressings. Electronic circuits can be embedded into the material, streamlining manufacturing. By utilizing Baymedix® FD103 dispersion along with its low-trauma polyurethane adhesives and breathable films, Covestro is able to offer a complete solution for wound care and healthcare wearables.

Medtech manufacturers may also embed sensors or other electronics within the foam, which also provides temperature and damage insulation.

5. Mini-Tablet Dispenser - Phillips

Phillips-Medisize recently acquired exclusive ownership of patents for a mini-tablet dispenser. The dispenser can accommodate tablets of approximately 2x2 mm to 2.3x2.3 mm dimensions. This enables the user to visually confirm the measured tablet count number before dispensing.

Through its unique working principle, the mini-tablet dispenser will be valuable in pediatrics, geriatrics, and oncology where patients often require highly flexible oral dosing based on age, weight and other variables. —Matt Jennings, CEO and president

Qualio Empowers Life Science Innovation

Are you ready to develop your own life science innovation?

Know that these innovations are only as strong as the quality management systems and protocols utilized by your business or organization.

For many years, Qualio has served as an industry-leading quality management software provider. During this time, we've been ranked as the top quality management platform of choice by medical device manufacturers, pharma, and biotech companies, as well as regulated contract service providers.

To find the very best quality management system for your growing life science organization, we've built a special guide: 12 Questions to Ask Before You Buy an eQMS.

Check it out and learn the questions you need to ask as you evaluate your options.