Medical Manufacturing & Outsourcing - November 2025
Spider silk spins new life into nerve repair…3D‐printed implants help repair spinal cord injuries…plasma pen transforms adhesion in medical device manufacturing. Read about these and other innovations in this compendium of articles from the editors of Medical Design Briefs magazine.
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Overview
The November 2025 issue of the Medical Manufacturing & Outsourcing Special Report highlights cutting-edge trends, technologies, and strategies shaping the medical device industry. The report opens by showcasing advances in miniaturization and enhanced functionality through heterogeneous integration, enabling devices like optical and MEMS sensors to perform complex biochemical analyses and precise motion detection in compact formats.
A detailed feature discusses the transformative role of plasma pen technology in medical device manufacturing, improving adhesion processes critical for device reliability. Design briefs include innovative manufacturing techniques such as laser welding for polymer tubing, which offers adhesive- and additive-free bonding solutions, and electrochemical machining revolutionizing knee implant production by enhancing precision and surface quality.
The report also addresses common challenges in selecting bearings used in medical devices, emphasizing how these choices impact device performance, manufacturing efficiency, and ultimately clinical outcomes. Highlighting process improvements, a Lean Six Sigma (LSS) case study demonstrates the use of models like SIPOC to optimize manufacturing steps, reduce defects, and address manual process vulnerabilities, specifically within a manufacturing tip production line.
New materials and manufacturing innovations are spotlighted in the tech briefs section, featuring breakthroughs such as spider silk applications for nerve repair, 3D printed implants aiding spinal cord injury recovery, self-heating microfluidic devices fabricated via 3D printing, and optimized behaviors of 3D printed materials through system innovations.
The report also emphasizes comprehensive contract manufacturing services, notably from B. Braun Medical Inc., which offers extensive product portfolios and global development expertise to support customized medical device solutions from concept to market.
Overall, the report presents a wide-ranging view of how technological advancements, process improvements like LSS, and strategic partnerships are driving the evolution of smarter, smaller, and more reliable medical devices. The focus is on integrating innovative materials, precise manufacturing methods, and efficient operational strategies to enhance clinical outcomes and meet increasingly complex medical needs.
