Improving Global Quality of Life
Improving Global Quality of Life
Improving Global Quality of Life
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the HRI report which accounted for 64% <strong>of</strong> global MD&D product sales in 2004; cardiovascular disease,<br />
musculo-sketetal disease, cancer, dental care, urology and renal conditions, diabetes, respiratory/ pulmonary<br />
conditions, gastrointestinal disease, ophthalmic conditions, and hearing impairment and diseases <strong>of</strong> the ear<br />
(otology). Of these, cardiovascular disease related components accounted for over 19.2%. The Orthopaedic<br />
sector had a $26 billion global marketplace in 2006. Both the spine and trauma sectors experienced the<br />
significant growth in 2006.<br />
The following are some <strong>of</strong> the trends that affect materials joining for the medical market.<br />
9.16.1 Hot topics<br />
Miniaturisation: One continuing trend in the medical device market is the expansion <strong>of</strong> Minimally<br />
Invasive Surgery (MIS) procedures. Expansion <strong>of</strong> the MIS market is due in large part to replacement<br />
procedures for conventional, open surgery, treatment methods. The percentage <strong>of</strong> MIS procedures<br />
(as a percentage <strong>of</strong> all surgical interventions) is expected to increase from the current level <strong>of</strong> 15-<br />
20% to about 70% by 2010. Increased use <strong>of</strong> MIS in emerging markets <strong>of</strong> the Pacific Rim and Latin<br />
America are likely to contribute significantly to this growth. As more and more surgical procedures<br />
migrate to less invasive approaches, the drive to minimise the size <strong>of</strong> the medical devices will<br />
continue.<br />
New materials: Another important trend in the medical devices market is the increasing use <strong>of</strong><br />
biocompatible metals for the design and fabrication <strong>of</strong> surgical and implantable devices. Because<br />
there is a drive to minimise the size <strong>of</strong> the devices for MIS or interventional cardiology procedures<br />
or for implantation, medical device designers frequently must develop methods to directly join<br />
two dissimilar metal materials. Key considerations in this joining include the biocompatibility and<br />
resistance to bio-corrosion not only for the base metals, but for also any intermetallics formed by<br />
the joining process. The radiopacity <strong>of</strong> the metals and/or intermetallics is also a concern, as the<br />
surgeon must be able to use radiography to monitor the position <strong>of</strong> the devices within the body<br />
during the procedure.<br />
Increasing performance requirements: For implantable devices, fatigue life <strong>of</strong> the joint is extremely<br />
important, since the device is <strong>of</strong>ten left in the body and therefore must not fail for the remainder <strong>of</strong><br />
the patient’s life. Other key concerns are corrosion <strong>of</strong> the component, due to the environment and<br />
the ability to use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) after surgery; since metal and other materials<br />
properties could interfere with the ability to use MRI as a medical diagnostic tool.<br />
Cost control: Medical device manufacturers are increasingly outsourcing manufacturing and<br />
assembly <strong>of</strong> their products to contract manufacturers. One reason behind this shift is cost pressure;<br />
specialised labour can be expensive for the assembly <strong>of</strong> sophisticated medical devices.<br />
Laser welded<br />
blood bag<br />
Medical devices cover a very broad range <strong>of</strong> products from very simple sealed bags<br />
to very complex ‘active’ implants. In general, medical devices, whether temporary<br />
or permanent, used externally or inside the body, are becoming more complex<br />
and sophisticated both in terms <strong>of</strong> their performance specification and structural<br />
complexity. As a consequence, many devices in current use are multi-component and<br />
require assembly in production. Joining is one <strong>of</strong> the key issues. Medical devices,<br />
whether used outside the body (e.g. instrumentation, control systems or surgical<br />
tools) or inside the body for diagnostic monitoring or therapeutic purposes (e.g.<br />
sensors, catheters, pacemakers or prostheses) usually consist <strong>of</strong> many materials<br />
which may need to be joined.<br />
144 <strong>Improving</strong> <strong>Global</strong> <strong>Quality</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Life</strong> Through Optimum Use and Innovation <strong>of</strong> Welding and Joining Technologies