Biomaterials and medical devices

Medical devices

The medical device industry is a sizeable employer in Ireland. Medical device manufacturing and support companies are predominantly located in the Midlands, west and north-west areas.

Medical devices include wheelchairs and beds, MRI scanners, pacemakers, stents, and artificial hip joints. Sectors in this industry include cardiovascular, orthopaedics, diagnostics and opthalmics, while other key sub-sectors include contract manufacturing, medical equipment, filtration, and hospital products.

Job roles in the medical device industry include product design engineering, production and manufacturing, sales and marketing, quality assurance and quality control, regulatory and legal affairs, and R&D.

Biomaterials

The study of biomaterials is a growing area of science work in Ireland. A biomaterial is something that is either natural or man-made that can be used to perform a natural function in a living organism. In Ireland there is research and development currently taking place for this industry in third-level institutions, multinational organisations and indigenous companies. This is a multidisciplinary area of work that includes engineers, scientists, IT specialists, legal graduates and medical graduates.

Further information

Society for Biomaterials
IDA Ireland: Medical Technologies section
Irish Medical Devices Association