Medical Devices

Medical Devices & Health Technologies

Materials, surface and analytical insight for medical device innovation

Attlas supports medical device and health technology companies with advanced materials characterisation, surface analysis, contamination investigation and research project development through the Bernal Institute, University of Limerick.

We work with companies developing, manufacturing or improving medical devices, diagnostics, connected health technologies, drug delivery systems, surgical tools, implantable components, polymer-based devices, coatings, sensors and advanced healthcare materials.

Our role is to help industry understand the material, surface, coating, contaminant or failure issue behind a technical challenge and to connect that insight with the right analytical expertise, academic knowledge and research pathway.

Supporting Ireland’s medical device and health technology ecosystem

Ireland has a globally significant medical device and health technology sector, with companies such as Edwards, Medtronic, Boston Scientific, Johnson & Johnson, Ceroflo, Serosep, Abbott, Aerogen, Cook Medical and Analog Devices Health operating across areas including cardiovascular devices, diagnostics, respiratory technologies, surgical systems, connected health, electronics-enabled healthcare and advanced manufacturing.

Attlas is positioned to support this ecosystem by providing a central route into advanced analytical capability, instrument scientist expertise and Bernal Institute research knowledge.

We are particularly relevant where companies need to understand:

surface chemistry;
coatings and surface modification;
contamination or unknown residue;
polymer or material behaviour;
product performance issues;
manufacturing or process changes;
component failure;
material comparison;
supplier change assessment;
prototype development;
pre-regulatory material understanding;
research and development opportunities

Typical medical device applications

Attlas can support technical and research questions across a wide range of medical device and health technology applications, including:

Surface and coating analysis

Understanding the chemistry, composition and condition of device surfaces, coatings, thin films and modified materials.

Relevant to:

stents;
catheters;
guidewires;
valves;
implantable components;
surgical instruments;
polymer surfaces;
coated medical devices;
sensor and electrode surfaces;
electronics-enabled health devices.

Contamination and residue investigation

Identifying unknown residues, particulates, staining, surface deposits or foreign material found during development, manufacturing or investigation.

Relevant to:

production line issues;
incoming material checks;
packaging or handling residues;
polymer contamination;
metal or inorganic particles;
cleaning or process residues;
unexplained deposits or discolouration.

Failure and performance investigation

Helping companies understand why a material, coating or component may not be performing as expected.

Relevant to:

delamination;
cracking;
surface change;
material degradation;
adhesion issues;
component wear;
supplier change;
process change;
prototype comparison;
unexpected product behaviour.

Before, alongside or in preparation for regulated testing

Attlas is particularly useful when companies need to understand a material or technical issue before entering formal regulatory, validation or certified testing pathways.

We do not replace specialist regulated testing providers where formal compliance, certification or submission testing is required. Instead, we help companies generate deeper scientific understanding so that later testing, validation or decision-making is better informed.

This can be valuable when a company needs to:

investigate an issue before escalation;
understand a material before choosing a test route;
compare candidate materials before final selection;
explore root cause before formal investigation;
support R&D before regulatory submission;
de-risk product development decisions;
generate evidence for internal technical review.

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Relevant analytical capabilities

Attlas can help identify the right analytical pathway based on the material, sample type and technical question. Relevant techniques for medical device and health technology companies may include:

XPS for surface chemistry, oxidation, coatings and contamination analysis;
SEM/EDX for morphology, surface features and elemental composition;
SEM-FIB for cross-sectioning coatings, interfaces, defects and internal structures;
TEM/STEM for nanoscale imaging, particle analysis and advanced material investigation;
FTIR for organic identification, polymer analysis and residue screening;
Raman for non-destructive molecular fingerprinting, phase identification and material mapping;
ToF-SIMS for ultra-sensitive surface chemical analysis, molecular fragments and depth profiling;
AFM for surface topography, roughness and nanoscale surface measurement;
Confocal microscopy for high-resolution 3D imaging and surface profiling;
DSC/TGA for polymer, thermal and material behaviour;
XRD for crystalline phases, powders and structural material changes;
Solid-State NMR for detailed chemical and structural analysis of solid materials, polymers, powders and complex formulations;
Nanoindentation for hardness, stiffness, coating performance and local mechanical properties.

Where a single technique is not enough, Attlas can help combine methods to build a clearer picture of the problem.

Understanding materials before problems become expensive

Medical device and health technology companies often need rapid, reliable insight when materials behave unexpectedly or when product development decisions depend on a deeper understanding of surfaces, coatings, polymers or interfaces.

Attlas helps companies answer questions such as:

What is present on the surface of this component?
Has the coating changed after processing, sterilisation or storage?
Is there contamination, residue or foreign material present?
Why has adhesion, surface performance or material behaviour changed?
How do two materials, suppliers or process routes compare?
What is the surface chemistry of a polymer, metal, coating or thin film?
What analytical approach should we use before moving to formal regulated testing?
Could this technical question become a research, consultancy or PhD project?

Polymer and material characterisation

Supporting material selection, product comparison, degradation studies and process-change evaluation.

Relevant to:

tubing;
films;
elastomers;
polymer components;
adhesives;
coatings;
packaging materials;
wearable device materials;
drug delivery components;
respiratory and diagnostic systems.

R&D and product development support

Providing analytical insight during early-stage development, prototype testing, feasibility assessment and collaborative research.

Relevant to:

new device concepts;
advanced coatings;
sensor-integrated devices;
smart health technologies;
diagnostic platforms;
biomaterials;
electronic health components;
manufacturing innovation;
academic-industry research projects.

From sample analysis to research partnership

Some medical device questions can be answered through a focused analytical service. Others may require a broader project involving academic expertise, method development, PhD researchers, postdoctoral researchers or funded collaborative research.

Attlas helps companies identify the right route.

This may include:

one-off sample analysis;
multi-technique investigation;
technical consultancy;
bespoke training;
prototype or material comparison;
funded collaborative research;
PhD or postdoctoral research projects;
longer-term strategic partnerships.

We use established templates and engagement pathways to help fast-track legal, project and finance setup, reducing administrative burden and shortening timelines for industry partners.

Medical Devices & Health Technologies

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