
Micro Ophthalmic Applications
8/18/16 Having the ability to produce efficient and ever smaller devices that are cost-effective to produce, and that can be manufactured in volume and to strict time-to-market parameters is important for the medical device sector where OEMs are constantly searching for new and innovative solutions, key market drivers being. Also of vital concern is the fact that these novel devices are often developed for highly regulated sectors, requiring that any partner in device development is also equipped with the knowledge necessary to navigate the regulatory hoops in a timely fashion, while at the same time ensuring compliance with an array of quality standards.
Ophthalmic Applications. A key medical device sector today is in the field of ophthalmic and intraocular implants and delivery devices, where enormous emphasis — from a design and manufacturing point of view — must always be on exacting surface finish requirements, and the drug and material strategy for efficient delivery of pharmaceutical preparations.
With an aging population, demand for treatments for degenerative eye disease is growing hugely, and it is through the application of innovative micro manufacturing technologies and materials that demand can be met. Injection molded devices for ophthalmic applications more often than not need to exhibit no flash, have no surface imperfections, and no mold parting lines. Expert ultra precision fabrication companies such as MES are poised to push the boundaries of what is possible in terms of micro- to nano-scale manufacturing to push innovation in ophthalmic treatment areas.
Likewise in the area of ophthalmic drug delivery, much focus is on the development of polymeric sustained-drug release systems implanted within the vitreous for various vitreoretinal disorders, again requiring precise ultra precision manufacturing expertise, and an understanding of the relationship between innovative biodegradable polymers and the active drug element of such devices.
In the area of ophthalmic devices, much of the push in terms of innovation is being driven by shifts from what today can be seen as “conventional” micro manufacturing into the areas of nano-manufacturing, However, another drug delivery device which MES has helped develop shows that conventional micro manufacturing at the precision and “micron” scale — if combined with market and regulatory know-how — can stimulate innovation.
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