Instructional materials help users grasp how to use a device safely. Renée Bailey, Certified Instructional Technologist (CIT), explains how effective instructional materials are vital for the medtech design process, and shares necessary considerations to produce instructions that are coherent, easy to understand and aligned with the human factors engineering process.
For life sciences companies seeking to develop, deploy and successfully commercialize digital health products and solutions, the pathway to success can have many twists, turns and roadblocks. This article examines some of the major challenges to bringing digital health products to market and explores potential opportunities to ease the journey.
While the road ahead might be unpredictable, the core dynamics of the life sciences sector and the coming expiry of patents worth over $100 billion are poised to drive a renaissance in biotech mergers and acquisitions.
Previous EU regulatory acts did not cover products without an intended medical purpose—typically devices with aesthetic indications. This now changes with Annex XVI of the EU Medical Device Regulation (MDR). Notified Bodies can assess these products for their conformity with the regulation. However, responsibility for proactively pursuing the EU certificate of conformity for the products rests with the manufacturers.
Excess humidity can affect a pharmaceutical’s structure, chemical stability and dissolving rate, and this moisture can come in contact with product at multiple points throughout production and shipping. Fortunately, new technologies are making it easier for manufacturers and shippers to detect and reduce moisture before it damages their products.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) helps discover serious threats early and in a precise and painless way. However, patient safety may be in danger when medical implants interact with the electromagnetic environment. The developers of such implants are obliged to check the safety of their products under these conditions.
Hospital at Home models are expanding capacity for overcrowded hospitals and emergency departments and providing comfort to a growing range of patients. Dave Kerwar, co-founder of Inbound Health, discusses the best candidates for hospital at home care and opportunities for MedTech providers to enhance this model of care, as payers and CMS look at long-term adoption.
Healthcare cyberattacks are becoming more common and more costly—both financially and to patient care continuity. Internet-connected IoMT devices and equipment remain a security concern for healthcare delivery organizations. Deeper collaboration between HDOs, medical device manufacturers and security providers is needed to reduce risk and vulnerability.
The MedTech industry has grown too comfortable with “essential use” exemptions and is ignoring the growing liability, supply chain and regulatory risk of PFAS use in medical devices and manufacturing facilities.
The recent Supreme Court ruling in Amgen v. Sanofi reminds patent practitioners that the scope of disclosure defines what has been enabled and that purely functional claiming can be problematic.
