Mission and Strategy

MedTech Flanders is a network organization of Flemish medical device companies together with research partners, subcontractors and partner-organizations.

The Mission of MedTech Flanders is to further develop Medical Technology to an important economic activity in our region.  For this purpose we want to create a cluster of MedTech Companies and Organizations who positively stimulate each other.

The core members are companies who are developing medical devices in Flanders, according to the European Medical Device regulation.  More specific:

  • Medical Devices (directive 93/42/EG)
  • Active Implantable Medical Devices (directive 90/385/EEC )
  • In Vitro Diagnostic (IVD) Medical Devices (directive 98/79/EC).

General members are developing other medical technology products in Flanders.

What are Medical Devices ?

A medical device is an instrument, apparatus, implant, in vitro reagent, or similar or related article that is used to diagnose, prevent, or treat disease or other conditions, and does not achieve its purposes through chemical action within or on the body (which would make it a drug). Whereas pharmaceuticals achieve their principal action by pharmacological, metabolic or immunological means, medical devices act by other means like physical, mechanical, or thermal means.

Medical devices vary greatly in complexity and application. Examples range from simple devices such as tongue depressors, medical thermometers, and disposable gloves to advanced devices such as computers or software which assist in the conduct of medical testing, implants, and prostheses. The design of medical devices constitutes a major segment of the field of biomedical engineering.