Supplier evaluation – supplier selection – supplier audits

The MDR and IVDR, as well as ISO 13485:2016, just like the FDA, set out clear requirements regarding supplier evaluation, supplier selection, and supplier monitoring. This article not only gives you an overview of the regulatory requirements. It also gives you tips on how to implement them and tells you when a supplier audit is necessary. 1. Basics of supplier management a) Examples…

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Risk mitigation through information?

Whether risk mitigation through information is permitted regularly leads to discussions. The answer to this question is important because it determines the conformity and non-conformity of medical devices. This article provides the answer and thus resolves a “historical misunderstanding.” 1. Regulatory framework All manufacturers are obliged to minimize the risks posed by their medical devices.…

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V-model: Avoiding the 5 most common problems

The V-model is a development process model that was originally used for government projects (e.g., armaments). To this day, it is still anchored in many people’s minds and in standards for projects in regulated environments (e.g., medical technology, banks). This leads to disputes in teams that prefer agile development processes. This article helps to resolve…

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Development plan versus development process

Medical device manufacturers are obliged to both describe the development process and create a development plan. Because both documents specify how medical devices will be developed, there is uncertainty as to which information belongs in which document. This article resolves this and also examines the software. It looks at the software development plan and the…

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Development process: Lean and compliant with standards

Laws and standards formulate requirements on how medical device manufacturers must define and document the development process. Notified bodies check these requirements during audits. This article on the development process provides tips on how to design the process and how to align it with other processes, such as the risk management process. 1. Development process:…

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Develop software components compliant with IEC 62304 and FDA

Medical software manufacturers must meet the legal requirements for software components in order to “approve” their devices. This article presents these requirements and gives seven tips on how to fulfill them quickly and easily. 1. What software components / items are There are different definitions of “software component”, also referred to as software items as…

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