More about Medical Packaging

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Manufacturers of medical components require packaging that meets both industry and government standards. All medical packaging solutions, from tear-open pouches and hypodermic needle packaging to thermoformed trays, must be properly sterilized and treated to ensure the integrity of the packaged product. In addition, contaminant-free conditions must be adhered to during the packaging process.

A number of quality management certifications and systems are available to medical packagers, including various ISO certifications, both for facility operations and clean room conditions. Many facilities use electronic monitoring systems to ensure conditions remain stable during the packaging process, and to ensure that packaged components remain free from any outside contaminants.

Materials used in medical packaging include a wide range of synthetics, such as PVC, polycarbonate, moldable foam, polyethylene, polystyrene and polypropylene. Various types of paper are also used, sometimes in conjunction with synthetics. Packaging paper typically receives certain coating treatments or similar processes to enhance its durability and resistance to potential impurities.

Medical packaging operations utilize a variety of techniques to produce, sterilize and seal packaging solutions. Among the most common techniques used are thermoforming, vacuum forming and adhesive sealing. Thermoforming is perhaps one of the most widely performed techniques, and involves first softening a plastic sheet or film by heating it, generally with infrared heaters. The sheet is then pressed over or into a mold, and is kept in place until it cools. After the molding segment of the operation is completed, the molded piece is removed and cut into the proper size, while the waste material is processed for reuse (if possible).

Medical packaging is regularly treated to a variety of labeling and marking operations, often for tracking purposes. In general, the packaging of medial devices and components involves more manual labor than most other packaging applications, and many devices are hand-sealed under stringent clean room conditions.