Micro molding machines bid for massive medical cost reduction in Taiwan

Over 90% in material is saved with the miniature manufacturing systems.

After servicing automobile parts for the likes of Toyota, Honda and Mitsubishi for almost three decades, manufacturer Anntong is directing its accumulated production expertise to improving the medical device segment in a bid to keep the cost of healthcare down in Taiwan.

Anntong, who has been in the hot runner business for 29 years, is exploring the previously uncharted vertical of micro injecting molding technologies which is a relatively new field involving the production of extremely smaller versions of previously large equipment.

The result is a product that roughly weighs 0.002g as the runner is 0.66g as opposed to the runner of traditional injection machine at 0.797g. This mean that 91.7% in material is saved thus, product costs can be optimised by as much as ten times.

The medical applications of micro-injection molding are wide-ranging from the production of stents to blood vessel clips with dimensions ranging from 1mm to 20mm.

The creators also pledge that using the micro injection machine will also result in less wastage, furthering efforts at sustainability.

Anntong is also revamping the traditional syringe to produce what they call a micro-needle array using cold runner systems. This method entails the careful use of liquid silicon rubber for various plastic applications.

The micro-needle array has many contact points as opposed to one concentrated point of the syringe that can allow for faster and more accurate drug delivery for the administration of vaccines and antidotes.

As a result of multiple points of entry, there will be less amount of drugs needed which may reduce costs significantly for the end-user.

“Regarding the micro needle array, it is developing an innovative line of novel microneedle-based transdermal drug delivery devices. This breakthrough technology revolutionises the way in which medicines can be administered, increasing efficacy, safety, and compliance,” said Anntong chief of R&D Stephen Wang.

The micro-needle array has already passed testing stage but the company is still in final talks with hospitals for its market release.

Anntong, alongside the island's various healthcare solutions, will showcase their products and service offerings at Medicare Taiwan: Taiwan International Medical & Healthcare Exhibition which will take place from June 21 to 24 at the Taipei World Trade Center Exhibition Hall 1.