Ten experts discuss how medical extrusion is evolving to meet increasingly demanding device requirements.
By: Sam Brusco
From catheters and tubing to multilayer structures and specialty components, extrusion remains a foundational process for producing medical devices and components. That said, evolving requirements are driving advances in equipment, materials, automation and quality control.
At the same time, manufacturers face persistent challenges, including material variability, increasingly demanding specifications, regulatory requirements, and pressure to improve efficiency without compromising quality. These factors are prompting extruders and device manufacturers to refine processes and adopt new technologies throughout the production cycle.
To explore where medical device extrusion is headed, MPO spoke with 10 industry experts about the technologies, materials, and manufacturing trends shaping the market. Their insights highlight how extrusion suppliers are addressing tighter specifications, emerging applications, and the growing need for scalable, reliable, and cost-effective production.
- Luke Allen, process engineer at New England Tubing Technologies
- Larry Alpert, medical extrusion support specialist at Graham Engineering Company
- Jason DiChristofaro, strategic market manager, extrusion at Graham Engineering Company
- Brian Frechette, operational strategist at Medical Extrusion Technologies (MET)
- Christian Herrild, director of growth strategies at Teel Plastics
- Paul Mazelin, president and CEO of SiMEDEx Inc.
- Stephanie McGee, VP of sales operations at Command Medical Products
- Suresh Sainath, chief technology officer at Zeus
- Dave Schroeder, president and CEO at Graham Engineering Company
- Tim Steele, founder and CEO at Microspec Corporation