Medical Technology

The Medical Technology sector in Ireland is recognised as one of the five global emerging hubs. The sector employs over 29,000 people in Ireland and is the 2nd largest employer of Medtech professionals in Europe. As many as 18 of the world’s top 25 medical technology companies have a base in Ireland and 50% of the 450 MedTech companies based here are indigenous. Pressures on healthcare systems have resulted in a greater focus on enhanced efficacy of treatments and cost reduction (Irish MedTech Association 2022). In Ireland, this sector relies heavily on plastics / polymers and is changing from being predominantly manufacturing based to R&D driven. Innovative research is currently ongoing in the following core areas at PRISM / APT: (i) Development of next generation Bioresorbable polymers for Bone regeneration, Peripheral nerve repair, and cardiovascular stents, (ii) Development & evaluation of Novel sterilisation technologies, and (iii) Development of Lubricious hydrophilic coatings, (iv) Optimised catheter design, amongst others, (v) customised medicine approaches using polypills.

Advancements in polymer technology have enabled plastics to be used in healthcare applications that demand high consistency, performance, precision and regulatory compliance. PRISM researchers, in collaboration with industrial and academic partners, create innovative technologies that underpin the development of next generation polymer medical devices and platform drug delivery solutions.