Problem:
A UK-based single-use medical device company sought assistance in developing a new single-use instrument for healthcare providers to use in testing for cervical cancer. This was intended to replace instruments previously sourced from the Far East, which suffered from unreliable lead times and high costs.
Solution:
CMG Technologies used the Metal Injection Moulding (MIM) process to develop an innovative instrument using Stainless Steel 17-4. The strong qualities of this metal enabled the creation of top and bottom jaws to ensure a clean tissue cut from first use, resulting in a high-quality, mass-produced instrument at low cost.
The resulting cervical biopsy punch is now widely used by healthcare providers across the UK and overseas and was recognised for its clinical value in 2012 by winning the MediWales Innovation Award.
Summary:
In 2012, CMG Technologies partnered with a UK-based supplier of sterile single-use medical devices to develop the cervical biopsy punch—an award-winning product known for delivering clinical value to healthcare providers while reducing costs.
The new instrument replaced products previously sourced from the Far East, which were plagued by inconsistent supply chains and high costs to the NHS and other healthcare providers.
Case Study:
The company’s Managing Director explains:
“When I initially contacted CMG Technologies, our previous supplier was going into administration, and our customers couldn’t afford the faltering quality and long lead times associated with instruments from the Far East.
I quickly became confident in CMG’s capabilities as a UK manufacturer and saw the value of the MIM process as a cost-effective way to mass produce high-quality single-use instruments.”
CMG Technologies manufactured the cervical biopsy punch using Stainless Steel 17-4, a metal renowned for its combination of high strength and mechanical performance at temperatures of up to 600°F.
CMG’s technical team tailored the material mix to develop the rotating instrument, engineering top and bottom jaws with tight tolerances to secure a clean cut of tissue from first use—benefiting both clinician and patient.
The final product quickly gained industry recognition for its quality and cost-effectiveness, leading to a 33% increase in the client’s customer base and the award of the MediWales Innovation Award in 2012.
The Managing Director adds:
“I’m extremely grateful to CMG Technologies for their contribution to developing the cervical biopsy punch—a market-leading product that helped us win the MediWales Innovation Award by delivering consistent, high clinical value at an affordable cost.
None of this would have been possible without the MIM process, which also enables us to scale capacity and further reduce cost as demand grows—creating greater benefits for healthcare providers.”
The cervical biopsy punch is now used by over 50 customers across the UK and overseas, with many more currently testing the product. The company anticipates 300% growth in the coming years, supported by its commitment to developing sustainable instruments with minimal environmental impact.
The Managing Director concludes:
“We recently conducted a Life Cycle Analysis on the Rotating Biopsy Punch, revealing that its environmental impact is nearly three times lower than that of a Pakistan-made Tischler. This greener approach highlights our commitment to sustainability—and working with CMG Technologies has been a vital part of that journey.”
CMG Technologies’ Managing Director, Chris Conway, says:
“CMG Technologies is delighted that the MIM process has helped DTR Medical to develop an innovative product that has benefitted healthcare providers across the UK and Overseas, resulting in company growth and an industry award.”
“We are in no doubt that the popularity of this product will continue to grow and look forward to working with DTR Medical moving forwards.”