Production solutions for all: choosing medical devices manufacturing technology

Medical devices encompass a series of apparatus, equipment and implants that monitor, diagnose and provide therapy and treatment. Reconstructive devices for orthopedics, ultrasound instruments for diagnosis, surgery machinery, dental implants, imaging, defibrillators and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) are a few examples of the possibilities that this market contains.

Manufacturers of medical equipment and medical products are able to use five different types of medical devices injection molding, depending on the product’s purpose. Endoscopes and other invasive equipment use thin wall molding, while 3D printing helps create prototypes before producing with injection molding. Medical device processing equipment also includes extruders, which help make components with high precision and smaller and smaller sizes using automation to speed up the process and supply chain.

The market for medical devices

The medical technology industry (medtech) has strengthened during the COVID-19 pandemic. From June 2020 to June 2021, the initial public offerings (IPO) funding grew by 100%, according to an EY report.

From 2021 to 2028, the market size is expected to reach USD 657.98 billion. One of the driving factors for it is the increase of wearable medical devices, such as pacemakers, which track vital signs and monitor activities. Another trend is the increase in ophthalmologic and orthopedic devices, as people’s life expectancy gets longer. Product development is on going in the medical sphere.

Besides guaranteeing that the medical devices manufacturing equipment will satisfy safety and performance requirements, producers need to classify devices accordingly.

In the EU, the degree of invasiveness they represent, the amount of time they will be in contact with the human body, their potential toxicity and whether the device needs a source of energy to work are a few criteria that define their classification.