Jul 11 2007
CERAM, the internationally renowned centre for materials and technology, is offering a unique consultation and technology transfer service to help the medical devices industry meet the impending requirements of European legislation governing identification marking for medical instruments.
Direct writing involves the digital transfer of markings onto medical equipment for the purpose of tracking and identification. This process is particularly relevant for devices which undergo central sterilisation processes as some sterilisation bureaus have reported that up to twenty five per cent of these can be temporarily, sometimes permanently, lost due to insufficient identification markings.
CERAM, utilising its specialist development facilities, offers a bespoke package which caters for those introducing direct writing at any point in the supply chain.
Medical device manufacturers can call on CERAM’s extensive expertise to validate the functionality of their direct writing systems to ensure that they meet industry performance requirements. CERAM can also troubleshoot any ongoing problems by analysing the materials involved i.e. examining the composition and behaviour of the material being ‘written’ on, whether laser etching or laser bonding/sintering techniques are used.
Similarly, CERAM consultants can advise healthcare providers and device suppliers on integrating a system of direct writing into their processes to maximise the benefits offered by this particular technology.
Dr John Liddle of CERAM commented: “Because direct writing is a high quality digital process for product marking it offers both cost and durability benefits for the medical devices industry. Despite this fact, few in the medical device chain have really utilised the technology to its full extent.
“From durability rating and clarity validation through to advice on system integration and implementation, CERAM is able to help such companies and organisations change this situation, maximise the opportunity this particular type of marking technology presents, and make sure that the requirements of the EU medical device directive, once introduced, are met.”