Rapra Technology helps with the vision

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Aug 18, 2004

Rapra Technology has been working with the Manufacturing Advisory Service - West Midlands (MAS-WM) in order to enable a leading manufacturer of surgical instruments diversify and expand its range.

Rapra Technology has been working with the Manufacturing Advisory Service - West Midlands (MAS-WM) in order to enable a leading manufacturer of surgical instruments diversify and expand its product range.

Birmingham-based E-Medix has built its business on considerable expertise in metals, specifically as a sub-contract wire erosion company.

Newly reconstituted in January 2003, the company's main current area of production is the manufacture of a wide range of surgical knives, most of which are ophthalmic and are used in eye operations such as cataract surgery.

E-Medix needed to scope, scale and remanufacture the handles of these knives in a suitable plastic material.

The company also needed legislative advice on the new product so made; advice on fitness for purpose, comment on suitability of materials for clean room packaging.

E-medix also needed input and advice on foams for blade protection in a medical application.

The specified foam would have to withstand gamma irradiation and should not blunt the blade, E-medix already having a test rig to suit.

E-Medix turned to the Wolverhampton based MAS-WM for help in sourcing specialist advice on these matters.

In turn they bought in expert associate to Shrewsbury-based Rapra Technology, with whom the Advantage West Midlands and DTI funded organisation had already concluded over 100 pieces of successful business support since the start of its operations in September 2002.

E-Medix has now trialled the new technology to production levels and has successfully launched the new products in the marketplace.

A three year contract has now been signed to supply and deliver 180,000 knives to the NHS, teaching and private hospitals.

A 12 month rolling contract to supply Egypt with 17,000 knives has also been finalised.

E-Medix director Simon Checkley says: "We are delighted with the outputs and the outcome of this process".

"We were able to access some sound independent materials advice that had an immediate and far-reaching impact on our business".

"It is of great comfort to know that the advice received from MAS-WM and Rapra Technology is completely impartial and, moreover, in view of their unquestionable expertise in this field, it is totally reliable".

"Through these Government initiatives I consider that I now have an R and D department that spans the UK".

Meanwhile E-Medix has commenced supply to a distributor in Italy (expected annual volume 60,000 knives) as well as entering discussions with numerous other countries throughout Europe, the Middle East, Scandinavia and Australasia.

Some 1600 samples have been sent out to potential buyers worldwide.

Simon Checkley reports that further innovations are underway: "Based on the confidence now gained and the orders received, we are tooling up to automate our production processes; develop new coatings for the blades; develop new lines in refractive eye surgery knives and develop other products".