by Genesis Plastics Welding Marketing Team Genesis Plastics Welding Marketing Team

[In the News] MedDevice Material Innovations

Late last week in Medical Plastics News online, Lorna O’Gara of Ultrapolymers took a look at polymer innovation in medical device and discussed the importance of taking into account the desired performance characteristics of a device, as well as, environmental factors, when selecting materials. She noted the importance getting stakeholders involved at the earliest possible stage of the design process to ensure the material most suited for the device’s application is selected.

We couldn’t agree more. This is often an early topic of discussion with our contract manufacturing medical device clients, as we help them to navigate from concept to commercialization. It’s such an important topic that we’ve developed several downloadable free resources for the industry and have material engineers on staff to help with selection and material challenges.

In the article, O’Gara also touches on PVC alternatives within MedDevice manufacturing. While, PVC is often the first choice for products such as IV fluid bags, dialysis solution products and blood bags, more and more medical device OEMs are searching out alternative polymer solutions for products where phthalate free is highly desired due to patient contact and other factors.

Over the years, switching to a PVC alternative has presented an issue for OEMs where radio frequency welding was the mode of sealing for their thin thermoplastic devices, however, due to Genesis Plastics Welding’s propriety RF welding technology, heat sealing non-PVC films without the addition of additives has become easy. Finally, OEMs have been able to gain material strength, flexibility, optimal yields and excellent barrier properties without having to choose PVC.

Visit Medical Plastics News for the entire article, where O’Gara masterfully discusses flexible medical device applications, material innovations in TPUs, TPEs and recyclable Polyolefin materials that will continue to help hospitals minimize their PVC waste.

Have a material selection conundrum for your thin film medical device? Let our team of engineers help. Contact us today.

by Genesis Plastics Welding Marketing Team Genesis Plastics Welding Marketing Team

Competitive Edge for Start Up and Small MedDevices

Genesis Plastics Welding Medical Manufacturing

 

Did you know that there are an estimated 6,500 medical device companies in the United States? However, 80% percent of those companies consist of fewer than 50 employees. The large OEMs make up the bulk of the 2 million MedDevice manufacturing jobs nationally. Did you ever wonder how start-ups and small MedDevice companies can remain competitive? They depend highly on collaborative partners to help them innovate and get their products from R&D to market.

Innovation Fuels Medical Device Manufacturing

We know that innovation fuels MedDevice, and a skilled collaborative partner can mean everything in getting products to market quickly and efficiently. Genesis Plastics Welding is proud to support numerous U.S. medical device OEMs, from start-up to large enterprises, with the contract manufacturing of specialty thermoplastic devices that depend on radio frequency welding for durable and leak-proof seams. We value all our clients, but we know for start-ups and small OEMs, we’re indispensable.

Comprehensive Solutions for MedDevice Manufacturing

Genesis Plastics Welding provides comprehensive solutions for medical device manufacturing, from start-ups to large OEMs. As a leading innovator in the plastics welding industry, our team is led by experienced manufacturing professionals that are dedicated to providing the best quality product and the highest level of service.

Why Genesis Plastics Welding R&D Services:

  • Strong project management services
  • Individualized attention
  • Guidance for design for manufacturability
  • A strong quality management system
  • Material selection guidance
  • Solutions for your pain points
  • Supplier collaboration
  • Rapid prototyping

Why Genesis Plastics Welding Contract Manufacturing:

  • Diverse heat sealing capabilities for flexible thin plastics
  • Highly responsive custom service
  • Commitment to quality
  • FDA registered and ISO 13485 certified
  • Supply chain management
  • Meets government contract standards
  • Dedicated to on-time delivery
  • Cleanroom manufacturing capabilities
  • Kitting, assembly, and packaging capabilities

Whether utilizing our R&D or contract manufacturing services, the relationship with our clients is the focal point for our entire team. Our collaborative approach begins with understanding your business needs. From there, it’s all about bringing your innovative ideas to market with an eye on quality, profitability, and sustainability.

Explore Radio Frequency Welded Products Manufactured at Genesis Plastics Welding

Testimonials

We’re always interested in new projects, big or small. Get in touch and let’s chat about your project.

by Genesis Plastics Welding Marketing Team Genesis Plastics Welding Marketing Team

Looking Forward within Manufacturing

Tom Ryder, Genesis Plastics Welding

CEO Tom Ryder shares his take on the future of advanced manufacturing

There has never been a more exciting time to be a Midwest contract manufacturer! As Indiana Governor Eric J. Holcomb recently announced, 2017 was a record-breaking year for economic development and 2018 continues to look bright for our home state. We remain one of the very best places to do business, especially manufacturing, and the Genesis Plastics Welding team is glad to call Indiana home! Additionally, as I look across the U.S., it is encouraging to see continued economic strength and strides in emerging markets, but challenges still remain.

Manufacturing Challenges

Many of the industries we serve continue to experience obstacles, including capital, regulatory demands, capacity, development and workforce issues. As a strategic value-based partner, we are in a unique place to come to the rescue and aid with many of the issues that derail our global clients as they work to bring innovative products and devices to commercialization. Three decades of quality-focused contract manufacturing experience, small to large volume flexibility and collaborative research and development (R & D) assistance are just a few of the tools that make our team a perfect collaborative partner for OEMs.

Return of Medical Device Tax

I see 2018 being a year of frank discussions with our representatives as the 2.3 percent medical device tax is reinstated. My hope is that Congress acts quickly to address the issue before the medical device community feels any negative impact within the areas of jobs or innovation. If the tax remains in place as is, I foresee slowed capital expansion and reduced research and development. Moreover, the potential for large OEMs to move research and development offshore. This is the one the biggest 2018 challenges facing medical device manufacturers and action is essential.

Emerging Markets

For the New Year, we have our eye on the Biopharmaceutical market. It’s a market that has seen rapid growth over the last three years. It’s becoming more sophisticated by the day and yielding some of the most innovative products and devices that the world has ever seen – think same patient stem cell therapies and innovative immunotherapies. As one of the industry’s most respected radio frequency welding contract manufacturers, the remarkable growth within biopharma is bringing us many new opportunities for the heat sealing of thermoplastic film devices, including specialty containment devices.

There’s an App for That

Digital technology is all around us. It is making its way into our manufacturing operations and the products and devices we produce. Yes, millennials are enthusiastic about the ever-growing offering of innovative smart products and devices, but what about the aging population? The baby boomer generation tends to have a lack of desire for wearable technology based products that are controlled through apps. They want digital medtech products that give the connected benefit but are seamless to operate and automatically feed information to their healthcare teams without them having to manage an app. Medical device OEMs will have to find a happy medium between old and new generations of products to serve the entire patient population, from young to old.

A Hot 2018 Manufacturing Top – 3D Printing

OEMs continue to seek agile partners with market advantages and cutting edge solutions. 3D printing capabilities are playing a significant role in helping bring ideas from the drawing board to production. We’re excited that our clients will see the benefit of 3D printing in the New Year. Our Genesis Plastics Welding team is now able to utilize 3D printing within our research and development collaboration and prototyping, allowing for accelerated turnaround times and cost savings for improved product designs. It is just another way we are growing to enable innovation and support for our clients’ business needs and goals.

Overall, I see 2018 to be a promising year of growth for quality-focused contract manufacturers, especially those serving medical device and military clients. With the FDA’s ever-increasing scrutiny, competitive and collaborative U.S. contract manufacturers with an eye on quality and solution-based offerings can only shine.