Fitting the Mold of Ortho Device Manufacturing

When we think of orthopedic devices, metal implants largely manufactured via machining processes typically come to mind. However, a great deal of injection molding technologies are also used to manufacture implants, surgical instruments, and other related products.

Molders for the orthopedic device industry are challenged by the industry environment of smaller devices, more complex designs, and high-performance polymers designed to offer enhanced physical properties like stiffness, chemical resistance, and temperature resistance. The flavor of molding technology to make an orthopedic component or product depends on the end use/area of operation, chosen materials, design of the product, aesthetic considerations, budget, and size of the production run.

Some common methods to mold orthopedic technologies include two-shot molding, thermoplastic injection molding, insert molding, overmolding, high-temperature molding, and gas-assisted injection molding. Plastic is the most common molded material, but liquid silicone rubber (LSR) and metal can also be injection molded. Orthopedic products made these ways include surgical instruments, spinal implants, disposa