Three major trends in medical device manufacturing

It’s been 20 years since the release of the da Vinci robotic surgical system, which introduced robotics and automation technology into medical manufacturing. Since then, Industry 4.0 technologies have revolutionized automation capabilities and are widely used in the production of medical devices.

For medical device manufacturers, the main goal is to minimize production costs while improving the patient experience. The latest advances in automation can help manufacturers achieve their goals and gain other benefits.

Cloud-based solutions

Currently, cloud computing accounts for only 12% of the global healthcare supply chain market, but according to a report by Markets&Markets, Investment in this sector is expected to grow from US$28.1 billion in 2020 to US$64.7 billion in 2025.

Cloud-based solutions are the future of medical device manufacturing and tick all the boxes on manufacturers’ checklists. They are cheaper than on-premises solutions, which require the purchase of software licenses based on the number of users and additional costs for user support plans. Cloud solutions offer all the functionality of on-premises systems but at a lower cost because they eliminate the need to maintain and regularly update expensive hardware.

Although cheap, cloud solutions do not reduce service quality but provide enhanced security, greater scalability and higher performance. They are also more mobile-friendly and provide universal access so anyone in the company can securely access data no matter where they are.

The amount of global healthcare data is expected to grow exponentially in the next few years, and medical device manufacturers should establish systems to effectively store and process data. If manufacturers want to remain competitive in the market in the coming years, cloud-based solutions are a trend that should not be missed.

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly used in manufacturing plants to improve accuracy and efficiency. For example, machine learning enables robots to understand, process, and take steps in real time to perform tasks effectively and efficiently. Now, manufacturers are challenged to use machine learning technology to cope with the growing demand for mass customization.

In medical device manufacturing, this is an especially pressing issue because many products are intended for use by just one patient and need to be customized to meet that patient's requirements and characteristics. This is the case, for example, with implantable medical devices, such as hearing aid inserts, prosthetics, and dental appliances.

Advances in modular robotics are one potential solution to overcome this problem and open the door to hybrid manufacturing. The modular approach allows a single robot to perform multiple tasks and can be reconfigured by simply replacing parts such as arms and IoT sensors.

Artificial intelligence not only has the potential to drive the development of new types of robots, but also has the potential to increase the flexibility and productivity of automated equipment—both of which are critical for medical device manufacturing.

VR&AR

Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) offer endless opportunities for manufacturers, especially in the field of medical devices. AR enables companies to provide real-time support to their manufacturing facilities regardless of their location and implement predictive maintenance. It has the potential to reduce human error, minimize execution time, and increase productivity and profits. A case study conducted by GE Healthcare showed that its warehouse workers were 46% more productive after using AR, significantly reducing downtime.

AR is also beneficial for enhancing collaboration and sharing of expertise among employees to achieve optimal results. Recent research shows that team effectiveness in the healthcare sector needs to improve, with a lack of collaboration having a negative impact on both patients and healthcare providers. In medical device manufacturing, VR and AR solutions can make significant strides and overcome some of the challenges faced at the underlying level. AR is here to stay, and its development over the next few years will be one of the most interesting trends.

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