Contents


Lasers & photonics 52 Sight for sore eyes


55


Artificial retinas can restore partial vision to people who have lost their sight due to degenerative diseases, where their photoreceptors can no longer function normally. Presently, only limited solutions are available that provide marginal improvements to sight – but new ones are under development that promise better results. Monica Karpinski finds out what’s on the horizon.


Filtration & fluid control


55 Probing single cells One of the most important applications of microfluidic devices in recent years has been single-cell analysis. This allows the study of individual cells and is often used for diagnosis, like in PCR tests. A variety of different microfluidic strategies are possible here: you can use microwells to isolate the cells, trap them, generate droplets that are used for analysis and more. Sachin Rawat speaks to experts in the field to learn more about the different approaches and how they can be used.


8


60 Redefining performance Introtek


Coatings & surface treatment


62 Stick it to scar tissue The build-up of scar tissue around implants is a common reason for their failure. But engineers at MIT might have found a way to tackle this problem – coating devices with a hydrogel adhesive, which causes the device to bind to the surrounding tissues so the immune system won’t attack it. Natalie Healey explores the potential of this approach.


65 Advancing coating solutions with precision Formacoat


Materials


66 Better biosensing with nanomaterials With their enhanced biological, mechanical and chemical properties, nanomaterials are used in a range of medical devices from artificial wound grafts to dental implants. Recently, they’ve become a popular choice for making biosensors, resulting in


devices that are significantly more sensitive, have enhanced electrical conductivity, a low response time and more besides. Sachin Rawat speaks to experts in the field to explore how nanomaterials are driving advances in biosensors.


70 Pulsed-field ablation: A major upgrade in treating irregular heartbeats Alleima


72 Choosing the right medical device


component manufacturer Custom Wire Technologies


74 The pros of


zwitterionic polymers Polyethylene glycol, or PEG, is widely used in medical devices and implants. But it’s susceptible to degradation when exposed to oxygen and can be unstable at warmer temperatures. Zwitterionic polymers, on the other hand, which have oppositely charged groups in their repeating units, have emerged as an alternative offering versatility,


Medical Device Developments / www.medicaldevice-developments.com


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