from intellectual property (IP) rights to
good manufacturing practices (GMPs) and
sterilisation concepts at all levels of biomaterial and medical device research, is
also leading to a dialogue with the regulatory bodies, beginning at an early stage
of implant development. This process has
been greatly promoted over the years by
periodicals such as Medical Device Technology (MDT), now European Medical
Device Technology (EMDT ), which have
been instrumental in addressing issues of
interest and importance to both industry
and academia. Twenty years ago it was the
exception to find life scientists who had
an interest in, and knowledge of, IP, GMP
and all the other acronyms that are an
integral part of our modern vocabulary.
Today this is taken as the norm, and in
this transformation of attitude, MDT and
EMDT have played a key role. I feel sure
that this positive influence on, and support of, the various stakeholders will continue to flourish in the years to come. 1
References
1. S.M. Richardson et al., “Mesenchymal Stem
Cells in Regenerative Medicine: Opportunities
and Challenges for Articular Cartilage and
Intervertebral Disc Tissue Engineering,” J. Cell
Physiol. 222, 23–32 (2010).
2. C.J. Kirkpatrick et al., “Cell Culture Methods
of Higher Complexity in Tissue Engineering
and Regenerative Medicine,” Biomaterials 28,
5193–5198 (2007).
3. C.J. Kirkpatrick et al., “Tissue Response and
Biomaterial Integration: The Efficacy of In
Vitro Methods,” Biomolec Engineering, 19,
211–217 (2002).
4. I. Martin et al., “SnapShot: Bioreactors
Systems in Tissue Engineering and
Regenerative Medicine,” Biomaterials 31,
3114–3115 (2010).
5. M. Ehrbar et al., “Biomolecular Hydrogels
Formed and Degraded via Site-Specific
Enzymatic Reactions,” Biomacromolecules, 8,
3000-3007 (2007).
6. H. Cui et al., “Self-Assembly of Peptide
Amphiphiles: From Molecules to
Nanostructures to Biomaterials,” Biopolymers,
94, 1-18 (2010).
7. R.M. Capito et al., “Self-Assembly of Large
and Small Molecules into Hierarchically
Ordered Sacs and Membranes,” Science, 319,
1812-1816 (2008).
8. E. Engel et al., “Nanotechnology in
Regenerative Medicine: The Materials Side,”
Trends Biotechnol., 26, 39-47 (2008).
9. K. Rezwan et al., “Biodegradable and
Bioactive Porous Polymer/Inorganic
Composite Scaffolds for Bone Tissue
Engineering,” Biomaterials, 27, 3413-3431
(2006).
10. L. Trommelmans et al., “Ethical Reflections on
Clinical Trials with Human Tissue Engineered
Products,” J. Med. Ethics, 34, e1 (2008).
C. James Kirkpatrick,
MD PhD DSc FRCPath FBSE, is Chairman of
Pathology and Director of the REPAIR-Lab, Institute of Pathology, University Medical Centre,
Johannes Gutenberg University, Langenbeck-strasse 1, D-55101 Mainz, Germany
tel. + 49 6131 177 301
e-mail: kirkpatrick@repair-lab.org
www.unimedizin-mainz.de/pathologie
A searchable archive of articles
that chronicle the evolution of
the medtech industry is available
at emdt.co.uk/archives
Year Milestones
Small Precision Tools (SPT) is the leader in Ceramic Injection Molding
(CIM) of complex microminiature components. SPT’s CIM process
lends itself to high-volume or low-volume components where demanding tolerances are required. We combine complex design and high-technical ceramic compound quality for electronic, medical, machine,
and micro technology markets.
In medical technology and the dental industry,
particular value is placed on bio-compatibility,
transparency, coloration, quality of finish and consistency. There is no shortage of applications for
ceramics in these fields, given the widespread need
for e.g. dental tooth implants, abutments, orthodontic brackets, medical endoscopic devices and nozzles
for analytical requirements.
VISIT THE EMDT TIMELINE AT: www.emdt.co.uk/emdt-timeline
emdt.co.uk European Medical Device Technology
June 2010 | 43
