Mark Crawford, Contributing Writer02.18.20
Packaging and sterilization services play a critical role in delivering a device to market and ensuring compliance with even the most stringent healthcare standards. Sterilization ensures the product is safe for patients to use; packaging protects the device and maintains the sterile barrier to the point of use. Packaging also enables medical staff to clearly identify parts and confirm no punctures or abrasion damage occurred during transport.
Although some companies still rely on traditional sterilization methods and legacy packaging materials, these are becoming less common for increasingly complex devices, sensitive materials, electronic components, and combination products. It is also harder for traditional methods and materials to meet tougher regulatory standards. Orthopedic OEMs are moving toward terminally sterilized packaging, where the product is sterilized within its final container. An increasing number of hospitals are moving away from in-house sterilization and outsourcing to sterilization providers.
Medical devices and products are increasingly “smart,” with embedded electrical or optical components that can be damaged easily
Although some companies still rely on traditional sterilization methods and legacy packaging materials, these are becoming less common for increasingly complex devices, sensitive materials, electronic components, and combination products. It is also harder for traditional methods and materials to meet tougher regulatory standards. Orthopedic OEMs are moving toward terminally sterilized packaging, where the product is sterilized within its final container. An increasing number of hospitals are moving away from in-house sterilization and outsourcing to sterilization providers.
Medical devices and products are increasingly “smart,” with embedded electrical or optical components that can be damaged easily
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