Medical device developments offer a glimpse into the future

Much media attention is focused on the ever-evolving pharmaceutical business, but don't forget about medical devices. Although the following two examples focus on the devices, savvy manufacturers and contract manufacturers will need to understand their packaging implications. Here are two developments that struck this editor:

• Portable medical devices, such as a cell phone, could double as a diagnostic tool, reports Fairchild Semiconductor's Engineering Connections. “Cell phones operate on a platform concept and medical is just starting to adopt this feature to improve time-to-market and leverage extensive testing. Medical electronics symposiums are starting to discuss these topics and more,” reports Fairchild Semiconductor on its Web site.

• Lubricious coatings for medical devices for intra-body use have been employed for about 40 years, notes medicaldevice-network.com. However, new “directions in the field [are] set to occur,” says the report.