Close Euro-American collaboration
Another highlight will be the international exchange session titled Europe Meets USA—High-Tech for Medical Devices, which makes its third appearance on the forum agenda. This session specifically promotes collaboration between component and device manufacturers as well as users from Europe and the United States. A particularly noteworthy aspect is the close link with the exhibitors taking part in the neighbouring MEDICA trade fair, which has enhanced professional networking right across the supply chain in recent years. The all-day session on 13 November will be rounded off with an international networking event. The event will focus on drivers of collaboration between component manufacturers, equipment manufacturers and practical applications from Europe and the United States, as well as the initiation of joint R&D projects and experience sharing regarding the challenges faced by the respective markets.
During the series of talks and conversations, innovative products and new technologies will be showcased and topical questions addressed: What are the challenges in modern medical technology? How can European and American companies work together to be globally competitive?
COMPAMED SUPPLIERS FORUM: daily sessions on trending topics
At the COMPAMED SUPPLIERS FORUM, a session on a current trending topic will be offered on each day of the trade fair, running in chronological order through manufacturing, regulatory affairs, sustainability and cybersecurity. Manufacturing in the medical technology industry is moving towards increasingly customised and personalised products. The new manufacturing processes required for this are connected, flexible and data-supported. Printed electronics and 3D printing are new processes that are driving progress in personalised medicine. At the same time, traditional processes such as injection moulding and machining remain important – combinations of old and new often result in effective solutions. In all cases, the relevant standards and regulations must be followed. And in the regulation domain, the second day will be devoted to Regulatory Affairs. The European Medical Device Regulation (MDR) and the In-Vitro Diagnostics Regulation (IVDR) remain a factor for manufacturers, authorities and others involved in healthcare systems. Compliance with these standards ensures patient safety, protects against legal consequences and enables market access for medical-technical products. Only close collaboration with the competent authorities and continuous monitoring can ensure that new products are successfully developed and rapidly brought to market.
Sustainability and cybersecurity
Sustainability has also been an issue of significance in the medical technology industry for a considerable time. This will be the topic of focus on the third day of the trade fair. It is an extremely complex subject, especially in the field of medical equipment, because medical products can be sustainable in starkly different ways. One example would be in their production by using less energy and consuming fewer resources. Another would be in their application by decreasing material usage, reducing their packaging or lengthening their service life. Recyclability and building a circular economy are also considerations of note. The fourth day of the forum will be dedicated to cybersecurity, which is becoming ever more important. Medical devices are increasingly connected and digital. This has a significant array of advantages but also increases possible risks with regard to patient safety and privacy. This makes safety precautions in the medical technology industry all the more important with a view to preventing unauthorised access to medical devices, patient data and critical infrastructure. Unfortunately, attacks of this nature have become increasingly common in recent times. As a result, eliminating vulnerabilities in software, inadequate authentication processes and insufficient encryption is crucial. Cybersecurity in the medical technology industry includes the implementation of security protocols, firewalls, encryption technologies and access control mechanisms.
IVAM joint booth: 38 parties from 7 different countries
In addition to the two specialist forums, the IVAM joint booth is part of the furniture at each COMPAMED. This year, the booth will bring together almost 38 exhibiting parties from the industrial and research sectors, representing seven nations—Germany, France, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Taiwan, the United States and China—as well as multinational project partnerships. Miniaturised components that empower smart, precise and reliable medical devices will be on display. Other items being showcased include high-precision turned and milled parts, micropumps, miniature valves, sensors, ultrafine wires and tubes, and micro-optics. Visitors will also have the opportunity to view microelectronic and microfluidic systems. In addition, functional coatings, smart textiles and innovative manufacturing and processing methods will be exhibited, including state-of-the-art laser processes, 3D printing systems and diagnostic modules. Factors such as contract manufacturing and R&D services will also play a key role.
