Smithers opens new laboratory for physical and functional testing of medical devices, appoints lead test engineer
Published: 3/2/2021
(Akron, Ohio) – March 2, 2021 – Smithers, a leading provider of testing, consulting, information, and compliance services, has officially opened the doors at its new physical and functional medical device testing laboratory in Akron, Ohio. The lab is an extension of the company’s global medical device testing services in the United States and the United Kingdom.The laboratory is fully operational for standard and custom testing to qualify a wide range of medical devices and products. In-house testing capabilities include:
- Drug delivery device testing (syringes, prefilled syringes, auto-injectors, cartridges, infusion pumps and systems)
- Dose accuracy
- Activation force
- Other device forces / torques; dose selection, cap removal / replacement; overrides
- Plunger stopper movement
- Injection time and depth
- General device and materials testing
- Force and torque assessments
- Component breakage resistance
- Environmental, drop and vibration conditioning
- Compression, tensile, and elongation properties
- Packaging assessments
- Seal strength
- Blister integrity testing
- Environmental conditioning
“Adding the device testing laboratory alongside our analytical services laboratory in Akron enables us to offer a full line of services to our North American clients,” stated Gael Peron, Vice President of Medical Device Testing, Smithers. “Many of our clients operate globally, and this expanded expertise and lab capacity will support their development needs.”
To lead the new laboratory, Smithers has appointed Michael Kelly to the role of lead testing engineer. Kelly joined Smithers in 2015 and spent four years on the product testing team and one year in materials testing before transitioning to lead the new medical device testing lab. Kelly also has experience working in a hospital orthopedics department, where he conducted comparative studies of different screw selections in bone plates and used 3D CAD modeling based on MRI and CT scan data to assess patient knees.
“Mike has significant experience supporting clients with laboratory testing and a strong background in medical devices,” said Peron. “He and his team will be excellent testing partners to our clients in the medical device industry as they bring great products to market.”
Kelly has a Bachelor of Science in biomedical engineering and is working toward a Master of Science in mechanical engineering from the University of Akron.
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About Smithers:
Founded in 1925 and headquartered in Akron, Ohio, Smithers is a multinational provider of testing, consulting, information, and compliance services. With laboratories and operations in North America, Europe, and Asia, Smithers supports customers in the transportation, life science, packaging, materials, components, consumer, and energy industries. Smithers delivers accurate data, on time, with high touch, by integrating science, technology, and business expertise, so customers can innovate with confidence.
