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Finding Comprehensive, Authoritative Information on Materials for Medical Devices

• Enjoy immediate access to critical materials information, including from previously approved (i.e., 'predicate') devices - reduce time, cost, and risk in design and certification, and get new insights in the design process
  
  
• Screen, analyze, select and source candidate materials and coatings for device applications and associated compatible drugs - including rapid selection against user-defined criteria
  
  
• Trace all data back to published literature, FDA device approvals information, or manufacturers' datasheets and websites - and open these directly from the database pages

The problem

Materials are of central importance to new product development in the medical device industry. But only a small minority of medical device designers are material specialists. So how do organizations find and apply the materials knowledge that can help them to optimize product design? Designers need the right data to inform decisions on selection, substitution, qualification, regulation, and bio-compatibility, as well as for design calculations.

There are numerous sources for such information in the scientific literature and, of particular value, in applications for previously approved (i.e., 'predicate') devices. However, this information can be hard to find, access, and use. Just a few typical problems are:

• Data is scattered over many different papers, publications, and databases
  
  
• Data becomes outdated
  
  
• Data on any one material is often fragmented - e.g., information on engineering properties, biocompatibilities, and applications are rarely found in the same source
  
  
• The primary sources that validate data are not easily accessible
  
  
• Data must be manually transferred to the design or other systems in which it is used

Granta's solution

Granta has worked with ASM International, the world's leading professional society for materials engineers, to develop the Materials for Medical Devices Database.

Available through on-line subscription or for installation on your corporate network, the database is the first and only comprehensive database created specifically to support medical device design. Fully relational and modular, it uniquely features both engineering materials properties and biomedical response data. It draws on published papers, FDA device approvals, and manufacturers datasheets. Data is extended and updated quarterly by a team of expert authors.

The database is powered by the GRANTA MI system, enabling easy web-based search and browsing, and integration with desktop productivity tools and third party software applications, making it simple to export and use property data.

Related example solutions

• Managing mission-critical materials data (i.e., in highly regulated or quality-conscious industries)
  
  
• Materials selection
  

Further information

Full product information on the Materials for Medical Devices Database