In Vitro Diagnostics (IVD) is a category of medical tests and devices that process and analyze blood and tissue samples to provide information used for screening, diagnosis and monitoring of diseases or other conditions. IVD tests are essential tools in everyday medical practice and emergency care and can help identify patients who are likely to benefit from specific treatments or therapies. These technologies have seen significant innovation in recent years and have been quickly moving out of the clinical laboratory and into point-of-care (POC) settings within the hospital, clinic and even in the home.
New technologies, along with a wide range of new tests and testing modalities, have fundamentally changed the way IVD devices look and operate. Traditionally, IVD instruments were designed to automate clinical laboratory processes, including the separation of components in samples, loading and mixing of reagents, incubating samples and gathering photometric results. Today, the use of microfluidics and micro electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) has led to lab-on-chip (LOC) designs that are miniaturized and fully-automated.
Smaller, Faster & Smarter
While there have always been consumable parts in the regular operation of IVD devices, the recent fundamental design changes in these instruments has led to the widespread use of disposable cartridges that can contain active chemistry, sensors, MEMS and the biological sample when administered.
As a result, there is now a need to manufacture these disposable LOC cartridges at high volumes which creates unique challenges for manufacturers. High precision processes, high resolution and density designs, high volume production, temperature, humidity combined with ultraviolet light sensitivity and unique serialization and traceability are just some of these challenges.
Automation is Key
Naturally, automating the manufacturing of these smart disposables is the logical choice; there simply is no way manual processes can meet the demands of production. But not every design partner has automation design, process flow control, full unit traceability, microelectronics, cleanroom manufacturing and medical device experience all under one roof.
Benchmark, with a rich history of manufacturing complex medical devices and a dedicated automation team can ensure the fidelity of the most critical medical tests remains uncompromised. And as these LOC designs continue to advance, Benchmark’s in-house microelectronics capabilities will be ready with die-attach, wire bonding, laser welding, leak testing and other packaging services.
Designs on the Future
Here at Benchmark, we’re redefining what’s possible, helping our customers develop new tests that can lead to early detection, diagnosis and provide targeted intervention. IVD devices are improving patient outcomes, saving lives and lowering the costs related to healthcare expenditures and late-stage care.
Contact us today to learn more about our work in the IVD market and how we are helping companies streamline production, reduce costs and meet the demand of the ever growing healthcare industry.
When trust, reliability and outright ingenuity matter, that’s when Benchmark matters most.
