Medical Technology Group Formed

Will provide services to California's medical industry

A medical technology group has been formed to help meet the needs of California's growing medical industry. The group was formed by the California Manufacturing Technology Center (CMTC), a private, nonprofit organization that seeks to improve the competitiveness of small and medium-sized manufacturers.

Besides working with device manufacturers, the group also works closely with doctors, dentists, and inventors to identify, develop, and produce new medical products. It assists in the development and validation of internal systems and supports emerging companies' medical entries from conception to market.

The group is based in Orange County, where, according to David Braunstein, CMTC president and CEO, an estimated 2000 medical-related manufacturers are based. "We've formed the medical technology group to provide this vibrant industry with the affordable and objective services it needs to survive and grow," says Braunstein.

CMTC can help companies with extensive FDA regulations requiring greater attention to documentation, verification, and validation of both manufactured products and manufacturing processes. Services include the implementation of such quality systems as GMP, ISO 9000, and CE mark; complete validation services such as software validation and construction, installation, operation, and performance qualification; and human factors, statistical technique, and conventional manufacturing consulting.

CMTC can also assist in the areas of process and business improvements, plant and systems modernization, shop-floor improvements, product design, and workforce development.
For information, call CMTC at 800/300-2682.

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Spire Receives Patent for Surface-Treatment Process

Coating reduces bacterial growth on catheters

Spire Corp. (Bedford, MA) has received a patent for the development of a surface-treatment process that uses ion beam­assisted deposition (IBAD) to apply thin films to polymer medical components for enhanced bactericidal properties.

Entitled Catheter having a long lasting antimicrobial surface treatment, the patent covers the use of IBAD processes to create an integrated multilayer coating of antimicrobial metal on any polymer used in catheters. Use of such coated catheters reduces bacterial growth and helps keep metal coatings from leaching from the surface of subcutaneous medical devices.

Besides use on the body of the catheter, the process can also be used on cuffs and plugs. There is currently no limitation to the applications covered by this patent; all antimicrobial uses are covered.

Spire specializes in developing processing services for customized surface treatments for the medical device industry. Spire's Ionguard and Ioncide biomaterial surface treatments are used to improve wear and abrasion resistance, infection control, hemocompatibility, biocompatibility, and lubricity of metal, polymer, and ceramic medical devices.
For more information, call Spire Corp. at 617/275-6000.

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Name Change for Inchcape

Now called Intertek Testing Services

Intertek Testing Services (ITS; Andover, MA), formerly known as Inchcape Testing Services, has announced that it has completed the transition to an independent corporate entity with the debut of its new name and revamped brand identity. ITS was purchased from Inchcape plc in October 1996.

The company offers manufacturers, distributors, retailers, commodity producers, and government agencies testing, inspection, and certification services. The company's quality systems division maintains laboratories and field offices in 61 locations throughout North America, Europe, and Asia.
For more information, contact ITS at 508/689-9353.

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Tailored Label Products Moves to New Facility

Increases manufacturing capacity

Tailored Label Products, a company specializing in pressure-sensitive labels and tags, has relocated to a larger facility. The move has doubled its flexographic printing and rotary die-cutting manufacturing capacity.

The company's production capabilities include flexographic, rotary presses that can print up to six colors and four-color-process labels up to 16 in. wide. Such services as laminating, slitting, consecutive numbering, and pin-feed hole punching are provided. An art department and a high-speed plate-making department are also located in-house. The company can take on challenging label applications that may require unique materials or converting capabilities.

The firm is now located at W165 N5731 Ridgewood Dr., Menomonee Falls, WI 53051.
For more information, contact Tailored Label Products at 800/727-1344.

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