INDUSTRY REPORT
Metals used in global medical markets include titanium ; stainless steel ; platinum ; tantalum ; cobalt / chrome and Nitinol . Platinum ’ s biocompatibility makes it suitable for temporary and permanent implantation in the body , a quality which is exploited in a variety of treatments . Although rarely used in medical implants , copper has outstanding antiviral and antibacterial properties and is ideal material for surfaces that are constantly being touched ( such as door handles , bed rails and switches ).
“ While seldom used in direct contact with the body , aluminium is very commonly employed for various types of support equipment that must be light , strong and corrosion-resistant . Examples include bed frames , wheelchairs , walking sticks , orthopaedic supports and IV stands . Since raw aluminium can tarnish or oxidise very easily , aluminium parts are typically painted or anodized for durability ,” commented medical manufacturing specialist , Star Rapid .
However , while titanium ’ s near-term opportunities in the medical field are lucrative , several experts have offered words of caution regarding downward cost pressures and challenges to the global supply chain for medical devices . The expectation appears to be for steady , incremental improvements in metal grades that offer enhanced strength , wear resistance and properties that encourage bone to fuse to titanium — a process called osseointegration .
A pacemaker design .
Orthopaedic applications , especially hip and knee replacements , continue to drive medical market applications for metals . Trauma applications , such as bone plates and screws , and spinal components , represent two other major sales areas for the medical market .
Examples of application areas include surgical instrumentation ( arthroscopic ; ophthalmology ; endo-laparoscopic and electro-surgical ) and electro-medical implants ( such as pacemakers ; defibrillators ; hearing
assistance devices and heart pumps ) as well as interventional stents ( angioplasty ; catheter ablation and distal protection ) and orthopaedics ( spinal fixation ; hip implants and knee implants ).
The requirements for materials , production quality and process documentation are high , making for a demanding environment for production technology and process planning . To enter the marketplace , medical devices must comply with pre-defined product lifecycle parameters intended to maximise patient safety and ensure the highest quality standards .
Pricing and margin pressure from reimbursement and purchasing practices are also driving companies to seek new ways to become more efficient , speed innovation and decrease costs . Manufacturers must now embrace digitalisation to upgrade process capability , manage capacity , reduce cost and help shift their focus from managing compliance and risk to agility and product quality .
“ In the medical device contract manufacturing industry , developing economies such as China , India , and Brazil present substantial growth prospects for players . Their tremendous customer population , increasing knowledge of healthcare and developments in healthcare facilities have created a desirable climate for healthcare markets to expand overall . When compared to their developed counterparts , these countries still have relatively lenient laws . In addition , the adoption of medical devices has expanded healthcare spending in these countries and increased healthcare costs . This is also a big factor behind home healthcare selection . Many major medical device contract suppliers are participating in these developing markets with visible growth opportunities ,” commented analyst Visiongain , in its recent report ‘ Medical Device Contract Manufacturing Market Report 2021-2031 ’.
“ Outsourcing manufacturing operations allows the medical device firm to lower fixed operating costs , by reducing or eliminating factories , equipment and workers that may represent a significant financial capital . Furthermore , by outsourcing manufacturing to a third party , the variable unit costs ( the variable cost of sales that fluctuates with raw material , energy , commodity and currency prices ) transform into fixed unit costs . The third-party vendor charges a fixed pre-determined price per batch , allowing healthcare marketing firms to project breakeven and profitability points with more certainty going forward . This , in turn , is expected to drive the market in coming years ,” it concluded . n
Aluminium is very commonly employed for various types of support equipment that must be light , strong and corrosion-resistant
28 | sheetmetalplus . com | ISMR March 2021