The Med-Tech Innovation Expo offers insight and intelligence to the medtech sector, bringing business, manufacturing and innovation together, says Lu Rahman. This year’s event will take place on 1-2 April at the NEC, Birmingham.
Rob Lacey
Medical technology contributes significantly to UK and Irish manufacturing. Whether it’s tests, materials or healthtech devices, the industry continues to innovate with one aim – improving the health and well-being of us all.
Connected devices are experiencing an upward trajectory to say the least. Healthcare professionals are pushing prevention techniques as well as cure, resulting in growth areas for monitoring and diagnostic devices. Alongside this we have the continued development of high-end medical technology – scanners, pacemakers, diagnostic machines, for example – that are continually fine-tuned to ensure increasing accuracy. Industry stakes are high as manufacturers push the boundaries of technology to improve and extend life.
In order to do this, medtech companies need the right conditions: insight and intelligence to address the devices of the future; design and manufacturing excellence, and the opportunity to forge lasting business relationships.
The Med-Tech Innovation Expo combines these elements giving visitors and exhibitors the opportunity to grow and develop their businesses. It is designed for companies targeting the UK and Irish medtech markets. The UK life science sector is worth £73.8 billion, according to the Office of Life Sciences. Medtech is a significant market that boasts 3,700 UK medtech companies while nine out of ten of the world’s top medtech companies have a base in Ireland.
What the expo offers the medtech manufacturer
It is crucial that medtech manufacturers stay on top of the latest technology, materials and product trends that healthcare professionals value. The expo offers two days of presentations from medical device OEMs highlighting the latest and future medical device developments –from ideation to commercialisation. Attendees can learn about the clinical trials process, regulatory hurdles, usability testing, materials compliance from experienced designers and CEOs.
Designing and manufacturing medical technology is not a simple process. Market knowledge, awareness of regulations, specialist technology, materials, software and components are required along with intelligence on the healthcare sector and what it requires for present and future treatment. The design and manufacture of medical devices is complex. Making the right connections is crucial for sharing best practice, market knowledge and innovating. The Med-Tech Innovation Expo provides the perfect platform to meet peers, designers, engineers and innovators that will grow your medtech business.
Expertise on offer at the 2020 event
Carclo Technical Plastics (CTP) is a contract manufacturer specialising in injection moulding and assembly of thermoplastic components and devices for the medical and optics markets. The company boasts ISO13485-accredited production facilities in Eastern and Western USA, UK, Czech Republic, China and India.
Typical products include drug delivery devices; diagnostic components; point-of-care diagnostic cartridges; ostomy bag fittings and surgical disposables; lenses and optical components.
CTP will present pressure sensing technology for optimisation, monitoring and control of the injection moulding process. Stand F17
Clearworks consultancy develops leadership in the biotech, medtech and pharma sectors.
“Clients tell us they’re looking for leaders to be emotionally intelligent, agile and flexible. They want charismatic presenters, leaders of people, influencers of direction. No small ask. But all these things can be developed. The joy of this sector is that the people are switched on, focused, motivated to genuinely create breakthrough for their customers and for patients,” says Aly King-Smith, director.
King-Smith will be on the Introducing Stage on Wednesday, 1 April 1pm. Stand D48
Connect 2 Cleanrooms (C2C) will be showcasing its bespoke modular cleanrooms. These enable organisations to convert existing facilities into classified clean environments.
Each process and facility is unique, so C2C works collaboratively from its UK bases to develop the most appropriate cleanroom. Process flow is balanced with the factors that provide regulatory compliance, such as air changes and pressure differential.
C2C uses its Kingspan Precision panels to deliver a fully flush cleanroom solution, along with hardwall and softwall solutions that will be showcased at the exhibition. Stand C10
Faulhaber will be showing an integrated encoder for flat motors. The BXT motor family, comprising outer rotor BLDC motors with short design, has been expanded with the diameter-complaint IEF3-4096 magnetic encoder. With 6.2mm of additional length, the motor/encoder units remain short as is fully integrated in the motor housing. The encoder can be combined with the BXT housed series of BLDC motors where precise position and high torques are required in a limited space, eg, medical technology.
The company will also be offering a new GPT gearhead family with numerous gear ratios. Stand C18
Intertronics’ stand will feature the latest technology in UV curing systems, sealants and coatings plus adhesives, designed for medical device assembly, with ISO 10993 and/or USP Class VI certifications. It will also be showing dispensing technologies that offer accuracy and repeatability.
Intertronics will advise medical device manufacturers how to improve productivity and achieve a repeatable, verified process through adhesive selection and dispensing methodology. Attendees can also hear about ‘Designing-in Light Curing Adhesives for Medical Device Assembly’ from managing director, Peter Swanson. Stand A30
Kaleidoscope Consultants will be talking about the impact of Brexit on European compliance, especially the links between the Medical Device Regulation (MDR) and General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Kaleidoscope understands GDPR and UK law, and how GDPR varies between European states.
Most medtech manufacturers know they need to move their certification partner to an EU state, and the need to appoint an EU representative to satisfy MDR, but many do not realise they have to do this for GDPR too. Stand B70 Pod A
Luso will be exhibiting its range of medical grade power supplies from major global manufacturers, such as Efore, Excelsys and Delta.
These will include plugtop and desktop adaptors; board mount dc/dc converters; embedded SMPS from 25 to 1200W and configurable modular units that can cover any requirement. Including the industry leading CoolX fanless unit that is available in units up to 1800W.
Specialists will also be on hand to discuss applications and advise on solutions. Stand E45
Maxon says its DC motors are reliable, have low vibration, can be sterilised, and don’t sacrifice high power density and efficiency, even in miniature formats with diameters as low as 4mm. The company has a range of medical applications including surgical robots, heart pumps, drug delivery systems, hand and leg prosthesis, surgical hand tools and exoskeletons. Its motors also come in a compact design and both have low electromagnetic interference and noise. Maxon medical products are ISO 13485 certified. Stand B10
Mi3 will be discussing medical device designs. It offers a bespoke service in design, development and contract manufacture of scientific, medical and surgical complex and single use devices together with regulatory support.
From the moment the design concept is conceived through to its development, registration and successful launch – Mi3 is an integral part of its client’s growth and development.
Recent projects include more complex medical devices with electronic, mechanical and chemical integration. With innovative development engineers who support the development cycle together with two cleanrooms, injection moulding, extrusion, HF welding and wet chemistry capability, Mi3 offers a range of options to clients. Stand B118
NES Global Talent recruits professionals for the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical devices industries. It provides permanent and contract candidates covering quality, clinical, regulatory/compliance, and engineering disciplines.
The company has dedicated NES Life Science recruitment hubs in Switzerland, Germany, Singapore, China, Australia and the UK and, following its purchase of US life science specialist Redbock in 2018 says it is one of the biggest life science staffing providers globally. Stand A6
Oliver Healthcare Packaging will be promoting its technology centre for European customers. Package design is a critical part of a successful product launch and thanks to its renovated, customer-focused centre in Ireland, customers can work with packaging experts, enabling real time ideation and exploration from concept to commercialisation. The centre allows customers to create an innovative, bespoke packaging design or improve an existing one. It also has multiple testing capabilities and is primarily focused on the physical testing of the sterile barrier system and the functionality of the chosen substrates. Stand D79
Röchling Engineering Plastics (UK) will be showcasing its medical grade biocompatible thermoplastic materials and component manufacturing capabilities.
The company offers precision plastic machining, assembly, cleaning and packaging for the medical, healthcare and life science industry. It has recently opened a £1.2 million dedicated medical machine shop, incorporating a range of multi-axial CNC machining centres, assembly, finishing and part marking capabilities, as well as an ISO Class 7 cleanroom.
Materials and manufacturing arecertified to ISO13485. Stand C38
With a recently acquired GMP certification, a European producer of medicinal cannabis needed a packing process that could handle its delicate products, meet the requirements of white room processing and offer safety, purity and precision. It found this in the SchurStar Concept.
The products are packed under white room conditions on a SchurStar 2060 C using double bag filling and camera control, equipped with thermal transfer Videojet printers to add product information and traceability coding. Stand E8
The West Group supplies components and production services for the miniature fluid control market and offers expertise for manufacturers requiring a specialist outsourcing partner.
The company has developed long-standing relationships with customers due to its ability to combine component and service elements. It has also become a trusted partner to many medical device manufacturers.
At the expo, the company’s display will include its range of check-valves, filters and pumps, all of which form an important part in each fluid control design. The West Group offers quality assurance with ISO13485. Stand D2
ZES accelerates its GxP clients towards engineering compliance and provides expertise which improves productivity, product quality and patient safety. Its GxP engineering consultancy and validation service covers pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturing.
This includes a specialist engineering service for projects, maintenance and validation, enabling tasks to be outsourced to a single contact. The company’s pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturing compliance meets FDA and MHRA regulations.
Managing director, Davis Easton will be speaking at the event: ‘Ever wondered why a project was not a resounding success, but were too afraid to ask?’ Stand D97.
"Med-Tech Innovation Expo 2020 April 1/2 - Register FREE here."
