How often do you think about pacemakers, surgery tools, implants, and catheters? If you’re like most people, probably not too often! However, there are plenty of interesting facts about the medical device manufacturing industry that you may want to know.
Major US & Global Employer
If you don’t know much about medical device manufacturing, it might surprise you to know that the industry is a massive employer of both US and global individuals. In the United States alone, over 100,000 people work in the related medical equipment sector. Furthermore, it’s ranked 37th among all other manufacturing industries for employment in 2022—and 317th globally. With an annual growth of just over 2 percent, medical device manufacturing offers countless people enriching and financially rewarding career opportunities.
The Origins of Medical Manufacturing
Every industry has an origin story; for medical device manufacturing, that story began in 1816 with the invention of the stethoscope. Designed by French doctor René Laennec, the first stethoscope was merely a paper tube fashioned into a funnel shape. However, it signified a shift in how society viewed modern medicine, because instead of cutting someone open to diagnose a health issue, healthcare professionals could now examine patients with minimally invasive methods. By the 1860s, the stethoscope was the most commonly manufactured medical device!
Working With Lasers
Did you know that the medical device manufacturing industry is one of many manufacturing industries that use lasers as an integral component of the manufacturing processes? UV laser machines—cold lasers—help create indelible markings on medical equipment without damaging the materials themselves. Other methods, such as embossing and etching, are not practical for sterile items. As such, cold laser provides manufacturers with a sanitary, non-contact marking process.
The medical device manufacturing industry might not seem interesting at first, but there are plenty of unique facts that perfectly highlight the benefits and impact of this sector. Ultimately, we should all be grateful to live in a time where medical equipment can drastically improve the lives of everyone.
