MotionTouch Visit to IDS Dental Show

MotionTouch had a fascinating trip to the IDS Cologne dental show last week. MotionTouch have a client in the dental sector and I understood that were exciting new opportunities at the show. However that did not prepare me for the size of the industry and scale of innovation taking place. I am told that the exhibition was 70% the size of Medica. There was a vast array of technology on display and the atmosphere was very positive.

There were 43 British companies exhibiting and interest was brisk. Among the most impressive were Invibio biomaterial solutions and Denfotex ltd. Invibio produce a carbon re-enforced Peek-OPTIMA compound. This raw material can be used to make bone implants. It is light, flexible and behaves more like bone than metallic implants. As a result the tissue around the implant does not wither and deteriorate. Invibio supply the material in raw format suitable for injection molding and other processes. We will be talking to our contacts in the industry to discuss applications for designing implant and other devices.

Denfotex have a fascinating technology which uses an injected light activated liquid to kill infections. They have a raft of testing to prove its success and were marketing it as a solution for tooth infection. However the eventual applications reach much further.

Coming in the in the week that the Chancellor championed British manufacturing it was great to see so many British companies attacking export markets with such vigour. Medical and dental technology is just the sort of area where British companies can add high value and succeed. The level of skills and expertise required to comply with EN ISO 13485 and obtain medical approval is large barrier to entry for many companies in other countries. MotionTouch expect significant UK success in this market.