Contents


recent example of overpromising and underdelivering in the world of innovation. Researchers are still finding ways the material and its derivatives could improve aspects of the medical profession, yet the problem of producing it at scale on a cost-friendly basis has kept it from fulfilling this potential. Mae Losasso speaks to Dr Chris Sorensen, Kjirstin Breure of HydroGraph and Dr James Tour, professor of organic chemistry and nanotechnology at Rice University in Houston, about their respective graphene production methods and why they’re optimistic for the material’s future.


127 Ensuring critical tubing manufacture despite crisis Microspec Corporation


128 The rise of a new polymer Arkema


Biomaterials 130 Striking a cord


While regenerative medicine is a fast-developing field, researchers struggle to induce tissue repair in mechanically active parts of the body, like the heart and vocal cords. One team of scientists might be en route to solving that problem with a new hydrogel. Abi Millar speaks to Guangyu Bao, a postdoctorate researcher at McGill University, to find out how his team’s biomaterial works.


Coatings and surface treatment


134 A silver bullet


Silver is one of the precious metals of the world, but its uses go well beyond the decorative. Thanks to its bactericidal properties, it is commonly used in wound care dressings and could be used to great effect in implanted medical devices. The challenge is that, at high doses, silver is toxic to human cells. Abi Millar speaks to Dirk Lange, a microbiologist at the department of urologic sciences at the University of British Columbia, about the silver


coating he is developing that could overcome that barrier.


137 Providing the coating that medical devices need Formacoat


Packaging, supply & logistics


138 The perfect (thermo)form Thermoforming is a common way to create medical device packaging due to its flexibility. Devices can be contained in a way that prevents jostling and allows nurses and doctors to see the contents, all while ensuring the contents remain sterile. Yet this method of packaging production looks very different now to a few decades ago. Jim Banks speaks to Ken Braney, managing director of Thermoforming Solutions, to find out how the process has evolved.


143 Supporting manufacturers of medical technology MULTIVAC


145 Sterilisation methods and their applications IONISOS


146 A cold chain reaction Temperature control hit peak importance with the rollout of Covid- 19 vaccines, but keeping an eye on temperature excursions has always been necessary to ensure the


Medical Device Developments / www.nsmedicaldevices.com 146


effectiveness and prevent harm from devices and drugs. Combination products like drug-eluting implants, catheters with antibacterial coatings and insulin pens are tightly regulated for this reason. Peter Littlejohns asks Richard Peck, director of RP Pharma Consulting and former global head of the process-controlled transportation centre of excellence at AstraZeneca, what have been the major improvements to his sector throughout his career so far and whether he believes there will be lasting developments in temperature control technology and practice driven by the experience of transporting vaccines.


Events


150 Events to look out for in 2022 & 2023


152 More digitalisation MEDICA and COMPAMED 2022


154 Medical innovation comes to Boston BIOMEDevice Boston


155 The future of sustainable electronics electronica 2022


156 Product showcase 165 Suppliers guide


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