From Editor's Desk

Medical Devices Sterilization:

.In most of the applications, medical devices have to be sterile. Sterility is a hygienic standard and its understanding had been developed for decades in the twentieth century. It is important to understand the need of sterility and its problems within the medical device industry.

Each sterilization procedure needs to be accessed for technical viability. The method should be as fast and reliable as possible and should have no impact on plastic materials. The cover story includes: nature of microbiological contaminants, product wise sterility assurance levels required, various sterilization methods used, process validation & other challenges as well as possible alternatives for Ethylene Oxide.

SPE INDIA Medical Plastics Division

Mr. D.L. Pandya

Editor

We are happy to announce launching of Society Of Plastics Engineers India (SPE INDIA ) Medical Plastics Division. SPE, founded in 1942 is spread over 84 countries with more than 60,000 stakeholders helping Plastic Professionals worldwide succeed and strengthening their skills through networking, events, training and knowledge sharing. The Medical Plastics Division (MPD) exists to encourage the interchange of technical and regulatory information on the polymer materials / components used in medical devices among the scientists and engineers who are working in medical device and related industries.

Medical Device Industry Technology Eco-system in India

We have been introducing various reputed Institutions either in Government Sector of Private Sector supporting growth of Medical Device Industry. One such Institute introduced in this issue is Facilitation Centre of Industrial Plasma Technologies (FCIPT) under Institute for Plasma Research (IPR), (an autonomous Institute of Dept., of Atomic Energy, Govt. of India ) devoted to research in plasma science, technology and applications. Along with industrial applications, FCIPT is working on many biomedical applications under cold plasma techniques for surface modification and sterilization. It includes Plasma Sterilization of Medical Equipment, Plasma – surface modification for preventing bio-film formation, Plasma Pyrolysis for Safe Disposal of Biomedical waste, Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Jet which can be used for a large number of biomedical applications.

Innovations in Medical Polymers Revolutionizing Medical Device Industry

As per a very well researched article contributed by “ Lubrizol Life Science “ , leading medical device manufacturers are in race to develop new devices that are smarter , minimally invasive and capable of delivering better patient outcomes. The article includes three important trends that will define the future of Medical Device Design. It explains variety of factors important to consider . One such widely used material highlighted is Thermoplastic Polyurethanes (TPUs).

One more article contributed by “ Shriram Polytech Limited” highlights emerging trends in PVC Medical Devices.

A very important aspect related to “adverse effects is “importance of Precise Placement of Double-Lumen Tube during Anaesthesia and Surgery explained in “Did You Know” column. It describes how malposition can lead to lung isolation failure and hypoxemia.

As always, this issue also includes other columns like Industry and Regulatory News, Global Market Trends, Events etc..

D.L. Pandya