Protolabs 3D Printing Report Shows Growth Exceeding $28B
3D printing has evolved to occupy an established place in manufacturing today. As it has become a more widely applied industrial manufacturing process, the industry is coming of age. A large network of specialized companies providing support and solutions for a range of production processes has emerged.
Advancements in Digital Biomarkers & Medical Diagnostics
The quickly evolving capabilities of artificial intelligence (AI) will continue to dramatically impact all facets of the healthcare industry for the foreseeable future. At the root of the seemingly limitless potential to improve patient care is the field of diagnostics, where advancements in medtech devices and biomarkers are propelling earlier diagnoses into more comprehensive care planning for patients and more favorable prognoses.
How to Navigate FDA’s Medical Device Cybersecurity Recommendations
FDA is cracking down on medical device cybersecurity. In response to an increase in healthcare cybersecurity threats, prevalence of connected devices, and pressure from the United States Government Accountability Office (GAO), the agency issued final guidance on medical device quality system and premarket submission requirements. In March, FDA released an update to clarify what devices must comply, as well as to give more specifics on the proposed cybersecurity plan.
EU MDR Poses Challenges for Manufacturers
To provide an overview of EU MDR, we turned to Abhishek (Abhi) Gautam, MS, EMBA, who is an executive engineer at DDL Inc., an ISO/IEC 17025 accredited full-service testing lab that provides package, product, and materials testing to the medical device and pharmaceutical industries, headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota.
Programmable Materials Help Heal Broken Bones
A new study that integrates machine learning, optimization, 3D printing, and stress experiments allowed engineers to gain insight into these natural wonders by developing a material that replicates the functionalities of human bone for orthopedic femur restoration.
‘Smart Skin’ Monitors Biological Signals on Demand
Penn State researchers recently developed an adhesive sensing device that seamlessly attaches to human skin to detect and monitor the wearer’s health. The writable sensors can be removed with tape, allowing new sensors to be patterned onto the device.
On-Skin Wearable Bioelectronic Device Uses Breathable, Stretchable Material
A team of researchers at the University of Missouri have made a significant breakthrough in their ongoing development of an on-skin wearable bioelectronic device. Zheng Yan’s lab, which specializes in soft bioelectronics, recently added an important component to the team’s existing ultrasoft, breathable and stretchable material. The key feature: wireless charging — without batteries — through a magnetic connection.
A Miniaturized Robotic-Assisted Surgery System
The advancements in the design of robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) systems continue to aim toward enabling operations to be performed through small incisions. This is done by providing the surgeon the ability to control robotic arms and cameras with precision. The goal of RAS is to help surgeons perform procedures reproducibly in a minimally invasive manner, which, in turn, can lead to advantages such as reduced pain and shorter hospital stays.
Pharmaceuticals to Embrace Sensory Packaging
Pharmapack once again established itself as the unmissable event in the health sector for a comprehensive overview of packaging innovations. Trends and tomorrow’s packaging options were also studied there and focusing on compliance remains a key factor for treatment efficiency.
Powering Wearable Devices with High-Performing Carbon Nanotube Yarns
With the growth of the Internet of Things, sustainable solution for powering wireless sensors and devices are considered important. Thermoelectric generators, for example, which have the ability to convert waste heat into electricity can offer a sustainable solution. Researchers around the world have been working on such solutions. A research team, led by Masakazu Nakamura from Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST), Japan has also been working on flexible wearable thermoelectric generators that produce electricity from body heat by sewing nanomaterial called carbon nanotubes (CNTs) into fabric.
