From Editor's Desk

Plastic Processing Technologies contribute to a great extent in the developments and Innovations in Medical Devices manufacturing. The technical development regarding plastic processing, assembling, packaging, sterilization and other related techniques offer uncountable possibilities for medical device manufacturers.

Number of equipment manufacturers in India and abroad are now focusing on innovating new machines specifically for the processing and manufacturing of Medical Polymers and Medical Plastics / Devices.

One of the most widely used process is Injection Moulding contributing to a great extent in developments and Innovations in Medical Disposables / Devices manufacturing. The newer techniques and machinery offer cost efficiency through high volume and quality production, process control accuracy, reliability and contamination free production. Such machines help meet regulatory requirements.

Mr. D.L. Pandya

Editor

In a free-wheeling interview covered in this issue with “Medical Plastics Data Service”, Mr Shirish Divgi, Managing Director, Milacron India has shared the contribution of the company for Medical Plastics / Devices sector. One of the recent developments by the company includes all electric eQseries machines especially for clean room applications. The machines have grease free tie bars, almost no hydraulic oil, high reliability and dimensional accuracy. In the interview, Mr Divgi also explains how the company has kept pace with changing times with respect to market trends and technologies.

The various company profiles highlight some of the major processing machinery including Injection Moulding, Extrusion, Injection mould manufacturing, High frequency and laser welding, catheter manufacturing, automated assembling, packaging, sterilization etc. This is only a partial list of companies.

Importance Of Industry – Institute Linkages

Industry – Institute linkages have been proven as the key enabler to promote innovation ecosystem. They deliver far reaching and enduring socio-economic impact that cannot be achieved by working in silos. In developed countries, the alliance has been operative successful for many decades. Whereas in India , the true potential is still to be fully realized except few sporadic cases . Once such case is of Start-up Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC) at IIT Kanpur. As per the report covered in this issue, SIIC IIT Kanpur in collaboration with Medical Device Industry , is creating ecosystem to support MedTech Start-ups & SMEs. It is already supporting 25 MedTech start-ups. The Institution has been able to successfully commercialize more than 50 patents showing its quality and readiness for innovation.

Centre Of Excellence in Biomaterials Research Centre at Indian Institute Of Science, Banglore has also developed number of technologies, one of which for an antimicrobial polymeric material is highlighted in this issue.

Dr Subhash Shit in his article has introduced Thermo-Responsive Block Co-Polymers used as drug carrier.

As per WHO, low and middle income countries bear 85 % of the burden of premature deaths because of Non-communicable diseases including cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. Global Trends column gives information about WHO list of priority medical devices for management of these diseases.

This issue cover our regular columns like Industry, Association & Regulatory News, Events, etc.

D.L. Pandya