Cytotoxicity testing is a critical step in ISO 10993 biocompatibility assessments, helping medtech leaders ensure device safety, manage regulatory risk, and select the most suitable method - qualitative, quantitative, or agar overlay - based on device type, patient contact, and…

Over-extraction in medical device testing often produces results that don’t reflect real clinical use, leading to misleading toxicological profiles, credibility risks, and regulatory delays. By applying clinically relevant extraction methods, reducing measurement uncertainty, and aligning with regulatory expectations, medtech companies…

ISO 10993 and ISO 18562 are complementary biocompatibility standards used to evaluate medical device safety. ISO 10993 focuses on biological risks from materials in contact with tissue, while ISO 18562 addresses inhalation risks from devices delivering breathing gases. Knowing which…

Chemical characterisation is a crucial process in assessing the safety and biocompatibility of medical devices by identifying and quantifying the chemicals that make up their materials. Guided by ISO 10993-18, it ensures manufacturers understand potential chemical risks, enabling informed material…

A personal reflection on how biological evaluation shaped the author’s life, from life-saving but imperfect neonatal blood bags to growth-hormone therapies and early medical devices, and how these experiences now inform a human-centred approach to designing safer, smarter medical technologies…

Medical device sterilisation ensures patient safety by eliminating microorganisms. Manufacturers must rigorously validate sterilisation methods based on device type. Validation follows standards like ISO 17665 and proves consistent Sterility Assurance Levels (SAL). Clear Instructions for Use (IFU) and proper validation…

Low temperature hydrogen peroxide sterilisation (VHP) provides an effective, low-residue alternative for heat and moisture-sensitive medical devices. Guided by ISO 22441:2022, it requires rigorous validation and material compatibility testing to ensure consistent sterility and device integrity. When properly validated, VHP…

The importance of validating cleaning, disinfection, and sterilisation instructions for reusable medical devices and highlights of how ISO 17664 compliance protects patients and supports manufacturers in meeting regulatory requirements.

Reusable medical devices face increased regulatory scrutiny under MDR and FDA expectations, with reprocessing now requiring clear, defensible evidence. Common failures occur in cleaning validation, disinfection efficacy, sterilisation justification, service life testing, and post-reprocessing biocompatibility. Strong validation programmes start with…

Medical device lifecycle testing is essential for regulatory approval, especially for reusable instruments subject to repeated sterilisation. Benchtop autoclaves, when combined with sensors and dataloggers, can speed up testing cycles and improve data accuracy, helping smaller labs deliver rapid, reliable…

Quality testing in medical devices ensures safety, compliance, and performance from concept to market. By verifying material integrity, chemical safety, and mechanical strength, it prevents failures and builds confidence in device reliability. It’s a strategic investment that protects patients, reputation,…

Mechanical degradation caused by repeated medical device reprocessing can lead to fatigue, cracking, surface wear, and loss of function. Understanding these risks, and validating durability through service-life testing is essential for safe reuse and regulatory compliance.

Chemical agents used during medical device cleaning, disinfection, and sterilisation can degrade metals and polymers, leading to corrosion, embrittlement, discoloration, and additive leaching. These changes can compromise performance, safety, and regulatory compliance. Understanding material compatibility, controlling processing parameters, and validating…

Visual degradation after cleaning, disinfection, or sterilisation is often dismissed as cosmetic, but it can indicate deeper mechanical or chemical damage. Identifying and managing surface changes early is critical to maintaining medical device safety, performance, and compliance.

BS 8628:2022 establishes a standardised method for testing and validating the performance of automated UV surface disinfection systems. It enables consistent, science-based comparison of UV technologies across healthcare, pharmaceutical, and other high-risk environments.

BS EN 17272 standardises how airborne room disinfection systems are tested, enabling measurable, repeatable validation of whole-room microbial efficacy.

Manual disinfection is essential for heat-sensitive reusable medical devices that can’t undergo sterilisation. Breaking down when, why, and how manual disinfection is used, including regulatory standards, Spalding classification, and critical process controls that medtech leaders must know to stay compliant…

While Good Laboratory Practice principles were originally intended for non-clinical studies in the chemical and pharmaceutical sectors, their scope has expanded to other industries, such as medical devices.

Medical device and IVD safety relies on IEC 60601-1 and IEC 61010-1 standards. Understanding MOPP, MOOP and clearances is critical for risk management and regulatory compliance. These standards guide manufacturers in delivering safe, compliant and reliable products.