Designing with Materials: Applying Materials Data and Rational Materials Selection Methodologies in Medical Device Design

摘要

Materials selection is critical in medical device development. A lack of careful consideration in the selection process leads to increased design iterations and extended project times, as well as having consequences for product performance. Traditional selection processes rely either on using materials that have been used before or on seeking advice or conducting database searches to identify materials that fit a particular property profile. But making a truly optimal choice is more complex than that - it should take account of the design scenario and consider the impact of the full range of relevant factors: for example, bio-compatibility, qualification, regulation, and cost. This paper discusses the need to harness all available materials knowledge in order to achieve this, and how that can be done. It introduces rational materials selection methodologies that help to identify the optimal combination of material and product design.