Bio Break: Core Facilities for Medical Device Development

Resources

Bio Break: Core Facilities for Medical Device Development

Topic: Bio Break

In this episode of Bio Break, Joris van der Heijden and Nick Allan discuss the critical role of specialized facilities in the successful development of medical devices. From testing laboratories to clean rooms, they explore the infrastructure needed to support innovation and ensure safe, effective products reach the market.

Drawing on their extensive experience in medical device development, they explain the various levels of containment and cleanliness required for different stages of development, as well as how these facilities are tailored to meet specific product needs.

Key takeaways from the episode include:

  • Laboratory Safety and Containment: An overview of Biosafety Levels (BSL 1-4) and how they address varying risk factors, from basic research to handling highly infectious agents.
  • Clean Room Standards: A guide to ISO classifications and their applications in medical device assembly and production.
  • Facility Fit for Purpose: Understanding how to match the level of containment or cleanliness to your product’s development stage and regulatory requirements.

Joris and Nick highlight the importance of balancing safety, cost, and efficiency in choosing the right facility. For example, while BSL 2 laboratories are suitable for most diagnostic testing, clean rooms with ISO 8 or better standards are essential for assembling medical devices. They also touch on the scalability of facilities, emphasizing the need for spaces designed for preclinical and early clinical phases rather than full-scale production.

Through practical examples and clear explanations, this episode provides valuable insights into how core facilities enable successful product development. It’s a must-watch for innovators, engineers, and executives navigating the complexities of infrastructure requirements in the medical device industry.

Discover how the right facilities can streamline your development process and help you deliver safe, effective, and compliant medical devices to the market.

Core Facilities for Medical Device Development

Two professionals discussing strategies for repurposing medical devices into new market sectors, sitting at a table with mugs featuring their names (Nick and Joris) and a star logo. The background is a blurred office or laboratory setting. The overlay text reads, 'New Markets Ahead! Repurposing Medical Devices,' in bold purple and black fonts, emphasizing innovation and market expansion.

Nick and Joris explore the fascinating world of repurposing existing medical device technologies for new market sectors. As engineers and innovators, we often focus on creating brand-new solutions, but what about leveraging tried-and-true technologies to expand into untapped markets? This strategy not only opens doors to new revenue streams but also maximizes the potential of existing innovations.

Two professionals engaged in a discussion at a wooden table in a laboratory setting, with the text 'How to Target Drug Delivery' prominently displayed above them. One participant wears a plaid shirt, while the other dons a checkered shirt, and both have coffee mugs featuring their names. The background showcases a blurred laboratory environment, adding a professional and scientific atmosphere to the scene.

In this episode of Bio Break, Nick Allan and Joris van der Heijden tackle the fascinating challenge of targeted drug delivery. When administering drugs to specific areas in the body, how can we be certain they reach the intended target? Nick shares an exciting example involving an intranasal device designed to deliver drugs precisely to the olfactory cleft—an area located between the eyes.

Two individuals sit at a wooden table in a bright laboratory setting, deeply engaged in discussion. One person gestures animatedly, emphasizing a point, while the other listens intently, with a notebook open in front of them. Both have mugs on the table labeled with their names, adding a personal touch. The text overlay reads 'Shear Stress: Risks & Solutions' in bold and engaging typography, with the backdrop of lab equipment creating a professional yet approachable atmosphere.

Nick Allan and Joris van der Heijden dive into a critical concept in drug delivery and biopharmaceutical development: shear stress. Understanding shear stress, especially when dealing with delicate therapies like cell and gene treatments or mRNA vaccines, can have profound effects on drug viability and efficacy. Nick walks us through how shear stress is identified, measured, and mitigated during product design and development.

A compact, modern nebulizer with an open mouthpiece emitting a fine mist, set against a black background with swirling fog. Text overlay reads: 'Needle-Free Drug Delivery - Try This!' in bold purple and white lettering.

Nick Allan and Joris van der Heijden delve into the fascinating world of drug delivery systems, focusing on the innovative use of nebulizers. While traditional methods like pills and injections dominate the landscape, nebulizers offer a unique, efficient, and non-invasive alternative for administering medications.