The latest edition of ISO 10993-1:2025 introduces important updates to the biological evaluation of medical devices, strengthening integration with ISO 14971 and introducing revised contact categorisation and biological effects.

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…

Biocompatibility failures are usually the result of avoidable gaps in classification, risk assessment, and test strategy. By aligning biological evaluation with ISO 10993 and ISO 14971 from the outset, manufacturers can significantly reduce retesting, delays, and regulatory friction.

Particulate contamination presents a serious but often overlooked risk to medical device safety, particularly when particles enter the bloodstream. Understanding where particulates originate, how they are extracted and analysed, and which standards define acceptable limits is essential for protecting patients,…

ISO 10993-12 provides guidance on sample selection, extraction conditions and reference materials to ensure biocompatibility testing generates relevant and scientifically defensible results.

Retesting is costly and avoidable. This article breaks down the 10 most common IFU mistakes that trigger rework, and how to fix them early.

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.

Service life validation demonstrates that a medical device continues to perform safely and effectively throughout its intended lifespan. It verifies durability under expected use, maintenance, and reprocessing conditions, supporting ISO 14971 compliance and risk management. By replicating real-world stressors, customised…

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…

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.

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.

Test Labs developed a bespoke, EN/ISO-informed efficacy testing strategy for KISANALITIKA’s TIXAR® after conventional testing methods could not adequately address the product’s unique characteristics.

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 testing provides a framework for evaluating hydrogen peroxide disinfection systems, but the evidence and claims it supports depend on factors such as chamber volume, cycle parameters, formulation and organism selection.