Sean Fenske

West Orange

Editor-in-Chief at Medical Product Outsourcing

Editor-in-Chief at (ODT) Orthopedic Design & Technology Magazine

Following the medtech industry and new innovations in it. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Articles

Learning from Orthopedic Implant Innovators

1 week ago | odtmag.com | Sean Fenske

The global orthopedic implants market, valued at about $20 billion in 2023, is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 4.8%, reaching about $26.5 billion by 2029.1Technology advances (e.g., software, additive manufacturing, automation, optical measurement systems, Internet of Things, artificial intelligence), new or expanding markets, and a more active senior population are contributing factors to the steady growth of the orthopedic implant market.
Talking About Tariff Turmoil

1 week ago | odtmag.com | Sean Fenske

Conferences offer fantastic opportunities to learn more about topics you may not have been actively seeking or weren’t even aware of the questions you should be asking. They also serve as a great introduction to experts with whom you may not have been familiar. Further, you benefit from questions other attendees ask that you weren’t even thinking of. Recently, that’s been the case for me with gaining insights on tariffs.
Collaboration with Contract Manufacturing Partners to Optimize Product Launches

1 week ago | odtmag.com | Sean Fenske

Orthopedic devices are highly engineered marvels that restore mobility and improve the lives of millions of people each year. The journey from concept to realization is no easy accomplishment, oftentimes taking years to go from concept to market. At the heart of this journey is the iterative process of design optimization for manufacturability, where getting it wrong can significantly impact realization with delays, excessive costs, or worse, a device that may never reach the patient.
Balancing Innovation Decisions: Internal Development vs. External Partnerships

1 week ago | odtmag.com | Sean Fenske

In today’s dynamic orthopedic landscape, innovation is not just a competitive advantage—it’s a necessity. Companies across the industry are increasingly faced with a strategic decision: Should innovation be driven internally, where control and expertise are centralized, or externally, where speed and cost-efficiency often take the lead? This is the classic build vs. buy conundrum (Figure 1).
From Manufacturers to Platforms: The Transformation of Medical Device Companies

1 week ago | odtmag.com | Sean Fenske

There was a time not that long ago when being a successful orthopedic medical device company meant being excellent at manufacturing parts. You designed reliable products, ensured quality, managed inventory, and delivered at scale. That was the business, and for years, it worked. But the landscape is shifting quickly.
The Benefits of Plastics for Medical Devices

2 weeks ago | mpo-mag.com | Sean Fenske

By Sean Fenske, Editor-in-ChiefPlastics are seemingly synonymous with healthcare. From packaging to devices to syringes and more, plastics are used for a variety of applications within the industry. However, it’s not always clear if this is done for specific reasons or if the industry is simply playing “follow the leader” and failing to consider alternatives. Are plastics used because they’re what everyone else is using or because they are the best choice?
The Benefits of Nitinol for Orthopedic Devices

2 weeks ago | odtmag.com | Sean Fenske |Orthopedic Innovators

By Sean Fenske, Editor-in-ChiefWhen developing a device, material selection is a critical early step. In an ideal situation, a new product will gain advantages from the inherent properties provided by the choice of metal, plastic, ceramic, or whatever option is chosen. As such, it’s important to be familiar with the potential alternatives available that would make the best match for the device. Unfortunately, not all materials are commonly used and there’s a lack of familiarity with them.
Exploring Medical Device Sterilization Alternatives

2 weeks ago | mpo-mag.com | Sean Fenske

By Sean Fenske, Editor-in-ChiefSterilization has become a significant topic of conversation among medical device manufacturers. Between the EPA looking at ethylene oxide (EO) facilities and, more specifically, the emissions from them and new and emerging sterilization alternatives, companies are taking a long look at their options. The traditional EO and gamma may not always be the best choice.
Laser Cutting of Metal Tubes for Medtech

2 weeks ago | mpo-mag.com | Sean Fenske

By Sean Fenske, Editor-in-ChiefSurgery is constantly changing, with new preferences on techniques or the introduction of new technologies that cause a need to adjust a procedure. Recent trends have surgeries becoming less invasive and are even being assisted by robots, both of which offer advantages to both the physician and their patients. Medical device manufacturers have heard this call and continue to introduce new innovations to aid in this trend.
Unraveling Questions on Wire and Hypotubing for Medtech

3 weeks ago | mpo-mag.com | Sean Fenske

Medtech MakersUnraveling Questions on Wire and Hypotubing for Medtech—A Medtech Makers Q&A A company has leveraged its online presence to get critical parts to customers faster while offering additional benefits developers need.