Messe Düsseldorf and the IVAM Microtechnology Network hosted the 12th edition of the COMPAMED Spring Convention, offering a sneak preview of the trends at COMPAMED 2018. With almost 800 exhibitors, COMPAMED is the leading international specialist trade fair for medical technology suppliers, taking place annually in Düsseldorf, Germany. This year, COMPAMED will be held from November 12 – 15, 2018 (concurrently with the MEDICA trade fair). 45 participants from companies and institutions from eight different nations took part in the Spring Convention held on May 3 at the Airport Center Frankfurt (Germany) with the title “Implants in Medical Technology” and examined this topic in four areas: “Technology for Manufacturing Implants", “Packaging of Implants”, “Materials for Implants” and “Microtechnology in Medical Applications".

The significance of the global market for medical implants is indicated by the findings of the International Trade Administration and BCC Research: The market researchers value the sales volume at Euro 30 - 60 billion, of which active implants make-up around Euro 15 billion. “Active” means any implant that is fitted with an energy source, which is generally a battery. However, other types of power supply, such as induction, are also possible.

"The new combinations of types of technology and the integration of electronics, smaller and smaller components, high frequency and wireless technology as well as monitoring, recording and control systems are market drivers for implants at the moment”, explained Dick Molin, Medical Market Segment Manager for Specialty Coating Systems (SCS).
Active implants are some of the most technically tricky and risky medical products and place very high requirements on the research, development, production and approval undertaken for them. Innovations must always be developed in consideration of patient safety, reliability throughout their entire lifetime, biological compatibility and biostability as well as compatibility with other medical technology devices.

Active implants: It all started with pacemakers...
The development of active implants began before 1958, when the first pacemaker was implanted at the Swedish Karolinska Institute. Since then, a huge range of devices for electric stimulation, improving hearing, delivering medication or for use as dental prostheses have become common. Orthopedic implants for distraction osteogenesis, implants for supporting cardiac function and various sensors which measure intracranial and intraocular pressure, bladder pressure or blood sugar levels are also devices in this category.

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