Means Engineering, Inc.

Product development engineering in medical, industrial, semiconductor equipment & military with a standard of excellence in form, function and design.


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(760) 931-9452 | info@meanseng.com
5927 Geiger Court, Carlsbad, CA 92008-7305

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The Importance of Clean Rooms in Medical Device Creation

August 21, 2020 By meiadmin

When producing medical devices, medical device manufacturers must maintain a clean environment. This is important, as any bacteria or microorganisms can create a safety concern for patients. It’s also crucial that medical device manufacturers ensure that air pollutants don’t gather on small components, impacting their ability to function as desired. In order to keep medical devices free from contaminants, medical device manufacturers must assemble these products in a controlled environment. Using a cleanroom for medical device assembly ensures bacteria and pollutants do not impact the functionality or safety of medical devices.

Ensuring Compliance with Federal Regulations Regarding Medical Device Creation

Companies responsible for the creation of devices for the medical industry must meet strict regulations regarding the design, production, and labeling of medical devices. Regardless of the type of device and its classification with the FDA, medical device manufacturers must ensure adequate cleanliness throughout the entire manufacturing process.

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) sets the standard for quality for the medical device industry. Companies that receive ISO 13485 certification have proven they have the tools and capabilities to ensure optimal cleanliness and contamination controls when producing medical devices.

What is a Cleanroom?

A cleanroom is a special room, typically inside a manufacturing facility with special filtration used to remove contaminants like dust, airborne microbes, and aerosol particles. Manufacturers often use cleanrooms to produce electronics, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices. In addition to cleanliness and contamination control, cleanrooms also control temperature, air flow, and humidity all of which can impact the quality of finished products.

Do You Need a Cleanroom?

Organizations often wonder whether they need their own cleanroom. For organizations creating medical devices, a cleanroom is important to ensure the quality and safety of finished products. However, finding the space and funding for a cleanroom could create a challenge. Many small and mid-size companies often struggle to justify the cost of implementing cleanroom operations into their facility. It takes a lot of people and training to ensure the safe and proper production of these important devices.

Companies can benefit from outsourcing medical device production to an ISO 13485 certified contract manufacturer like Means Engineering. Our team has years of experience and understands how to design and produce a wide range of medical devices. We offer state of the art cleanroom assembly to ensure optimal cleanliness and quality.

Right Sized Contract Manufacturing Services

When you work with Means Engineering, we work directly with you to develop a customized solution. Unlike larger contract manufacturing firms, we offer a personalized approach. No matter how big or small your project, our team stays in communication throughout the entire process.

Please contact us for more information about our medical device contract manufacturing services.

 

 

Filed Under: About Us Tagged With: carlsbad contract manufacturer, carlsbad contract manufacturing, cleanroom, cleanroom assembly, CM, contract manufacturing, Electronic Devices, electronics manufacturing, ISO 13485, southern california contract manufacturer

Creating High Quality Medical Devices

August 14, 2020 By meiadmin

Medical devices help ensure quality of life for people around the globe. Used for a variety of diagnostic and treatment purposes, these devices play an important role in safeguarding the well-being of our increasingly health conscious population. Thanks to medical devices, diseases get caught earlier, improving outcomes and decreasing the cost of healthcare for millions of Americans.

Medical Devices Must Meet Strict Regulatory Requirements

When it comes to medical device creation, it’s crucial that organizations follow strict guidelines to ensure the production of high quality and reliable products. Regardless of intended use, medical devices face some of the toughest regulatory guidelines of any industry. It is up to developers and innovators to understand these regulations and ensure compliance when designing and producing devices for the medical industry.

In the United States, medical devices are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH). Based on associated risk, medical devices receive a Class I, Class II, or Class III classification. While Class I devices carry the lowest associated risk, Class III devices have the highest. The level of regulatory control depends on device classification.

Outsourcing Medical Device Design & Production

Companies looking to enter the medical device industry often find it difficult and confusing to understand the different CFR’s associated with the design, development, labeling, and production of medical devices. This is enough to keep many organizations out of the medical device industry altogether. However, this probably isn’t the best choice. The medical device and diagnostic industry is worth over $300 billion.

Organizations looking to produce high quality medical devices could benefit significantly from partnering with a trusted medical contract manufacturing service provider. Outsourcing to an ISO 13485 certified contract manufacturer ensures the production of high quality devices that meet strict regulatory compliance requirements. But this is just one piece of the puzzle. Organizations must also look for a partner that’s easy to work with and understands the importance of treating their staff and partners with the respect and attention they deserve.

Southern California Medical Device Contract Manufacturer

Means Engineering works directly with each of our valued customers to help develop a solution that exceeds their expectations in regards to both quality and care. Our vertically integrated approach makes it possible for partners to maintain control and monitor every step of the manufacturing process. By handling everything in-house, Means Engineering provides increased visibility and simplified supply chain coordination.

If you’re considering venturing into the medical device industry, or you require assistance with your existing medical device design and/or production, we encourage you to contact us to see why we’re the Southern California contract manufacturer of choice. We look forward to hearing from you.

 

Filed Under: About Us Tagged With: carlsbad contract manufacturer, CM, contract manufacturer, ISO 13485, medical device contract manufacturer, medical device creation, medical device design, medical device manufacturer, medical devices

Choosing an Electronic Contract Manufacturer for Medical Device Creation

July 31, 2020 By meiadmin

Creating devices for the medical industry requires extensive experience and knowledge of industry requirements. Medical devices are highly regulated for both quality and reliability. This is important, as many people rely on the safety and efficiency of medical devices. Perhaps more than any other industry, OEMs planning to produce products for the medical industry should partner with an experienced electronic contract manufacturer.

In addition to understanding how to comply with government regulations, an experienced ECM should meet the following requirements. This can help ensure a successful and mutually beneficial partnership.

Experienced Technical and Managerial Team

The more experienced the electronic contract manufacturer is, the more likely they can help when problems arise. ECMs with experience producing a wide range of devices can often locate problems and suggest viable solutions based on findings from previous projects. In addition to solving problems that arise during production, experienced ECMs can assist with design-for-manufacture review, saving OEMs a considerable amount of time and money on assembly.

Well Maintained Equipment

It’s not enough for an ECM to have quality equipment. They need to properly maintain it to ensure continuous and reliable operation. Calibration of machines and tools should take place at regular intervals.

Proper maintenance not only helps ensure on-time delivery of high quality products, it also allows the ECM to achieve the right tolerance. This is especially important as the medical device industry has stringent tolerance requirements.

Ability to Adjust to Meet Customer Changes

Needs and requirements can change. This is why it’s so important that OEMs select an agile, flexible, and highly responsive ECM to work with.

ISO 13485 Quality Management System

The international standard for a quality management system for the medical device industry, ISO 13485 is designed to be used throughout the entire lifecycle of the medical device. Using ISO 13485, organizations can develop a quality management system that ensures the quality of finished products and the effectiveness of manufacturing processes.

Means Engineering offers electronic manufacturing services for the medical device industry. Our extensive experience and quality management system allows our team to manage risk effectively and bring safe and effective products to market.

Filed Under: About Us Tagged With: carlsbad contract manufacturer, carlsbad contract manufacturing, CM, contract manufacturer, contract manufacturing, ISO 13485, medical devices, medical industry, southern california contract manufacturer

Industry Certifications – Why They’re Important

June 26, 2020 By meiadmin

You have many things to consider when choosing an electronics contract manufacturer. Although you’ll probably spend some time negotiating price and other important aspects of your contract, electronic manufacturing certifications should remain non-negotiable. These important industry certifications ensure the CM you work with meets rigorous quality expectations as required by the industries they serve. Without proper certification, the CM simply cannot guarantee quality or that the product produced meets industry-specific regulatory compliance standards.

General Certification – ISO 9001

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001 certificate shows that the contract manufacturer has implemented and maintained a quality management system. This certification is internationally accepted and proves that the CM consistently meets customer requirements and continues to strive to improve product quality.

Medical Device Industry Certification – ISO 13485

ISO 13485 is required for a CM to design and/or produce devices for the medical industry. This important certification ensures the CM has effectively implemented and maintained its quality management system. It also ensures the CM implements certain controls and protocols to ensure product safety.

I order to achieve ISO 13485 certifications, contract manufacturers must meet specific requirements for testing, inspection, and product traceability.

Aerospace Industry Certification – AS9100

Aviation Space (AS) 9100 certification encompasses all requirements for ISO 9000 as well as additional aerospace industry-specific quality and safety standards. In order to receive AS9100 certification, a CM must display an emphasis on risk management, adopt proven production processes, and pass an AS9100 audit.

Final Thoughts

When selecting a CM, it never hurts to ask to see their certification documents. CMs that have taken the time to obtain industry-specific certification are generally happy to provide this information on request. If the CM tells you otherwise, or fails to provide the appropriate documentation, it’s probably best to take your business elsewhere.

Means Engineering offers contract manufacturing services to organizations across a wide range of industries. We are proud to hold several industry-specific certifications including ISO 9001, ISO1 3485, and AS9100. Please contact us for more information about our contract manufacturing services.

 

 

Filed Under: About Us Tagged With: AS9100, california, carlsbad contract manufacturer, carlsbad contract manufacturing, CM, contract manufacturing, Electronic Devices, ISO 13485, ISO 9001

Avoid These Common Mistakes When Outsourcing

June 19, 2020 By meiadmin

For organizations that produce or manufacture products, outsourcing provides numerous benefits. In addition to reducing costs and time to market, outsourcing part or all of production can significantly increase the quality of products produced. However, it’s extremely important that organizations make an informed decision when choosing to outsource.

Although most organizations see positive outcomes from outsourcing, selecting the wrong contract manufacturer can cause significant problems. This is especially true for OEMs producing electronic devices that rely on the correct assembly and testing of several complex components.

Organizations considering outsourcing will want to avoid the following common mistakes when working with a contract manufacturer:

Choosing the First CM on the List

The CM you choose can have a major impact on the quality and functionality of your finished product. It’s extremely important that OEMs take their time to interview several different CMs before selecting one to work with. OEMs might find it helpful to create a list of their needs and requirements, including any regulatory standards the finished product must comply with. These needs should be discussed in detail during the interview process.

Failing to Discuss Project Objectives  

Maintaining good lines of communication ensures the success of the contract manufacturing relationship. Unfortunately, OEMs often fail to make the project objectives clear to their CM. This can lead to problems with the finished product. It’s crucial that OEMs provide clear instructions regarding project plans, specs, colors, and materials.

Not Putting Enough Trust in Their CM

Outsourcing requires a certain level of trust on the part of the OEM. In order to complete the project, OEMs must hand over project plans and blueprints. Occasionally, the CM may make recommendations to improve the quality or reduce the cost of production.

Choosing the CM With the Lowest Rates

Every business wants to reduce costs. However, choosing a CM with the lowest rates could end up costing OEMs more money in the long run. Low prices typically do not equate to high quality. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Means Engineering offers contract manufacturing services for organizations and OEMs. Our team has years of experience producing parts and components for multiple industries including medical, aerospace, and defense. Please contact us for information about our services.

Filed Under: About Us Tagged With: carlsbad contract manufacturer, CM, electronics manufacturer, electronics manufacturing, ISO 13485, ISO 9001, san diego county, southern california contract manufacturer

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ABOUT US

MEI features depth of experience in medical, industrial, semiconductor equipment and military products. All product development efforts start with a unique set of requirements, yet we deliver results that share a common standard of excellence in form, function and design.

Our turn-key capabilities provide smart, simple solutions to cumbersome outsourcing issues, and provide our clients with an intelligent route from concept to market.

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