INDUSTRY REPORT
Materials for medical applications
Advanced metallurgical materials can be engineered , for example , in a range of high-performance alloys that deliver excellent strengthto-weight ratios , biocompatibility and corrosion resistance for medical applications . These include , for example : -
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■ Small-diameter precision tubes for heart valves ; cardiac rhythm management ; vascular stents ; trauma and orthopaedic implants ; surgical instruments and spinal cages .
■ Precision strip for implantable devices such as pacemaker and neurostimulator enclosures ; cranial mesh and spinal cages ; coronary and vascular stents and spring clips for header assemblies .
■ Ultra-thin foil for strain gauges ; resistance heaters ; capacitor cathodes ; stents and spring connectors for medical diagnostics ; pressure sensing diaphragms and PCB substrates .
■ Shaped wire for orthodontic brackets , toothbrush staples and MRI channel wire .
■ Sintered porous filter powders for specialty filtration components in ventilator units .
Metal products are used , for example , by the metalforming companies that make the hermetic implantable shields and cans for pacemaker , drug-infusion pumps and electronic implants .
Typically metal , rather than plastic or other material , is chosen for applications that require the highest degree of strength and durability , especially when used for tools or as replacement joints which are subject to a lot of mechanical stress .
Aside from purely mechanical performance , metals used in a healthcare environment must meet specific criteria that most other products do not . For example , they may need to be non-toxic in the presence of human tissue or fluids . Or , they might have to resist chemicals such as detergents and alcohols which are used for cleaning . Metal used for implants must be non-magnetic and non-corrosive , in addition to being non-toxic .
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 suitable 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 .
The requirements for materials , production quality and process documentation are high , creating 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
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
practices are further driving companies to seek new ways to become more efficient , speed innovation and decrease costs . Manufacturers are embracing digitalisation to upgrade process capability , manage capacity , reduce cost and help shift their focus from managing compliance and risk to agility and product quality .
Global market segmentation
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The North American maket is a dominant force globally , according to Mordor Intelligence , followed by Canada and Mexico . The European medical device market offers diverse healthcare systems , a stringent regulatory environment and a focus on research and innovation . Germany is the largest medical devices ’ market in Europe , with robust manufacturing capabilities , and “ the potential for significant market expansion ” according to Mordor Intelligence .
The Asia-Pacific region is one of the fastest-growing medical devices markets globally . China ’ s medical devices ’ market is experiencing rapid growth , with a shift towards domestically produced high-end medical devices supported by strong R & D investments , added the analyst .
Brazil , said the analyst , is the largest medical devices ’ market in South America and is seeing growing demand for home healthcare devices and diagnostic equipment . n
ISMR March 2025 | ismr . net | 25