News
MICRO’s Machining Expertise in the Spotlight
MICRO's Director of Advanced Machining, John Cross, was featured in MPO Magazine discussing the critical role of medical device machinists. The article, "Medical Device Machinists Are Multi-Task Masters," underscores the precision and adaptability needed in this...
Why Choose Metal Injection Molding?
The MIM process is similar to plastic injection molding, but with metal feedstock to efficiently produce small, complex parts at high volumes using high temperature and pressure. The metal powder and plastic binders are combined so that an injection moldable...
Overcoming Supply Chain Disruptions and Market Challenges During Covid-19
Unprecedented supply chain disruptions have dramatically impacted medical device development since COVID-19, challenging the industry. With fewer elective procedures being performed, demand for single-use surgical instruments and other devices used primarily for the elective market decreased. However, as elective surgeries begin to return to near normal levels, a sudden increase in demand for product has left manufacturers struggling to meet the demand as the market rebounds. Contract manufacturing organizations (CMOs) need to stay ahead of the market and manage supply backlogs and material shortages for their original equipment manufacturer (OEM) customers.
Prototype to Mass Production for Single-Use Instruments: What OEMs Need to Know
"Understanding the functionality and project goal, along with any commercial, technical, and compliance factors, will enable OEMs and their CMO partners to identify a manufacturing solution that best meets the needs of the project and results in efficiency and...
Medical Device Manufacturers Hit Major Hurdles—Can Contract Manufacturers Help?
"MICRO’s customers increasingly want to consolidate supply chains, so full-service suppliers who can support product and process development, component manufacturing, and assembly will have a competitive edge. Our Costa Rica facility will enable our company to expand...
Orthopedics Moves Toward Minimally Invasive
Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is a mainstay of orthopedic procedures because it reduces trauma, pain and length of hospital stays, and enables same-day surgeries, faster recoveries, and lower costs. MIS innovation is driven by enabling technologies that allow surgeons to do more complex surgeries less invasively, with enhanced visualization and navigation, real-time feedback tools and use of smaller and fewer access ports. Single-use devices are another trend in MIS for which demand is growing, noted MICRO’s Steve Santoro in an Orthopedic Design and Technology (ODT) online feature article. Contract manufacturers can use a design for manufacturability (DFM) approach to identify raw materials needed for high-volume single-use parts that match functional requirements with the optional engineering process.
Ramping Up Manufacturing For Single-Use Surgical Instruments: What You Need to Know
Single-use surgical instruments are in high demand. They offer distinct advantages over reusables for healthcare providers and can help improve patient outcomes. MICRO’s Steve Santoro, writing for Medical Design & Outsourcing, explains how contract manufacturers can optimize designs upfront to be capable of being manufactured at high volumes. Critical factors include selecting the optimal materials and processes that meet the needs of a project, ensuring the life and function of the product.
Designing Medical Devices for Manufacturability: How and Why You Should
In a recent article published in Medical Device and Diagnostic Industry (MD+DI), MICRO’s Steve Santoro and other industry experts explained why design for manufacturability (DFM) is critical in medical device manufacturing. DFM is a process that needs to happen at the earliest possible stage of the design process. Otherwise, costs can add up quickly…..
Metal Injection Molding and Metal 3D Printing: Alternatives to Machining
Metal Injection Molding (MIM) and metal additive manufacturing (AM) offer medical device manufacturers and their contract manufacturers an alternative to machining for producing durable, high-quality metal components, implants, instruments, and other devices. When functional or life testing is needed, MIM is especially useful for prototype builds compared to AM, and it is often the method of choice for manufacturing small, complex geometries and intricately-shaped parts…..
Tubing Capabilities to Improve Efficiency and Quality in Medical Device Manufacturing
COVID-19 has put a spotlight on the medical device industry’s need for safe, sterile surgical devices. Disposable options may be viewed as a safer alternative to reusable devices because they are presterilized and individually packaged. In an exclusive for Medical Design Briefs, MICRO’s Steve Santoro explains that stainless steel tubing is a primary support feature of single-use handheld surgical devices, and there are a number of options for producing tubes, including drawn, rolled and stamped tubing approaches.