A new study has found that currently acceptable methods of reprocessing reusable bronchoscopes left most devices contaminated and damaged. “The results are worrisome as patients undergoing bronchoscopy are commonly at high risk for infection due to transplant status, critical illness, or immune-suppression due to malignancy or chronic disease,” said the study, funded by 3M and
Medtech stories we missed this week: June 15, 2018
June 15, 2018 By Leave a Comment
From Cytosorbents opening a new U.S. manufacturing facility to DyAnsys received FDA clearance for a wearable to treat opioid withdrawals, here are seven medtech stories we missed this week but thought were still worth mentioning. 1. Cytosorbents opens new U.S. manufacturing facility CytoSorbents announced in a June 12 press release that it has opened a new
Fortive offers $2.8B for J&J’s advanced sterilization biz
June 7, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) said yesterday that industrial conglomerate Fortive (NTSE:FTV) made a binding offer to acquire the advanced sterilization business from J&J’s Ethicon division for approximately $2.8 billion. The deal includes $2.7 billion in cash and an additional $100 million in retained net receivables, New Brunswick, N.J.-based Johnson & Johnson said. J&J’s advanced sterilization products biz […]
7 MD&M East exhibitors you need to know
June 5, 2018 By Leave a Comment
MD&M East is a major medtech tradeshow on the East Coast of the U.S., showcasing some of the industry’s latest developments in packaging, automation, plastics, design engineering and quality. The event houses over 750 suppliers with more than 8,000 attendees who are able to network, explore new career opportunities and find partners for projects. The
C&K launches autoclave-safe medical switch product line
May 21, 2018 By 1 Comment
C&K announced that it has launched its medical switch product line of autoclave-safe switches. The new medical switches are designed to meet industry sterilization standards that protect patients from risks that comes from reusable tools. Sterilization helps prevent contamination from fluid and contagion ingress. “Medical device engineers are creating the applications that people entrust to
Nelson Labs expands lab operations at Illinois facility
April 23, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Nelson Labs recently announced that it has invested in expanding its operations and service capabilities at its Itasca, Ill. facility. The investment will offer upgrades to the laboratory facilities, in addition to a 10,000 sq. ft building expansion and renovated lab space. The upgrades will include a BI sterility suite to support EO sterilization validations
Turns out graphene can fight bacteria on implants
April 18, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Graphene flakes that are arranged like spikes can kill bacteria and stop infections during implant surgery procedures, according to new research from Chalmers University of Technology in Göteborg, Sweden. Bacteria moves around the body in fluids like blood looking for an area to stick to. Once they find a place, the bacteria starts to grow
Webinar: Ethylene oxide sterilization requirements have changed — what you need to know
April 12, 2018 By Leave a Comment
This webinar was presented live on Tuesday, May 8, 2018. Click below to watch on demand. ANSI/AAMI/ISO 11135:2014 Annex E recently underwent a revision expanding on the requirements for the release of healthcare product from a single batch ethylene oxide (EO) sterilization process. This addendum builds on the current allowances and requirements for
How reprocessing enables medical device innovation
April 3, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Reprocessing accelerates the speed of commoditization, forcing medical device companies to innovative, according to Innovative Health. Lars Thording, Innovative Health “Single-use” medical device reprocessing has long been a divisive issue in the medical technology industry. Some large original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) have viewed reprocessing as a drain on their revenues that challenges profitability and hence investment
Needle washing for analytics equipment: What you need to know
April 3, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Here’s a look at the different methods, pump types and popular options to consider — and potentially optimize — when it comes to needle washing for clinical diagnostic and analytical lab equipment. David Vanderbeck, KNF Neuberger Syringe-type needles are commonly used to meter or dose liquid samples onboard clinical diagnostic and analytical lab equipment. These needles
This technology allows package sterilization of silicones with in-situ curing
March 28, 2018 By Leave a Comment
New methods of sterilization have made customizable implantable silicones a possibility. This exciting technology advance could allow better sealing, occlusion and repair or support within a patient’s body. Avantor has developed packaging to sterilize the silicone so that the material can be cured in-situ. Julie Cameron, VP of business development and marketing for the Nusil
Software is a top cause of medical device recalls: Here’s what you can do
February 6, 2018 By 1 Comment
Stericycle Expert Solutions recently conducted a five-year assessment of recall trends, based on its quarterly Recall Index studies. The results show surprising missteps from medical device companies, especially where software is concerned. We asked Chris Harvey, director of recall solutions at Stericycle to answer some questions about the recall trends and offer some advice on
Report: Medical device recalls down in Q4 of 2017
February 6, 2018 By Leave a Comment
The medical device industry saw a 9% decline in recalls in the last quarter of 2017, the lowest quarter since the fourth quarter of 2011, according to Stericycle Expert Solutions‘s annual Recall Index. One of the major causes of medical device recalls over the past five years is that technological advances are rushing at such a
MD&M West 2018: Medtech supplier innovations you need to know
February 2, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Updated Feb. 5 More than 20,000 engineers and executives are expected to gather and network for the annual MD&M West – one of the largest annual medical device manufacturing events. The event takes place at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, Calif., Feb. 6–8, and houses an array of industry suppliers showcasing their latest technologies and manufacturing advancements. Think medical
3M submits 510(k) for steam sterilization system
January 22, 2018 By Leave a Comment
3M has submitted an application to receive FDA 510(k) clearance for its Attest Super Rapid System for steam sterilization. The steam sterilization system can provide biological indicator results in 24 minutes. A faster readout time for steam will help improve patient safety while increasing workflow for sterilization professionals. “The focus of our sterilization science at
