Section
Implants
The Swiss medical technology industry has played a leading role in the development and continuous improvement of implants since the 1950s. Medical devices manufactured and distributed in Switzerland are recognised worldwide as being of the highest quality, innovation and safety.
The medical applications of implants are diverse and include orthopaedics, cardiology, ophthalmology and neuromodulation in particular. In Switzerland, for example, around 55,000 knee and hip prostheses and 65,000 artificial lenses are implanted every year and around 10,600 patients rely on pacemakers (8,500) and implantable defibrillators (2,100).
Switzerland is an important centre of innovation and production. Implants in the medical specialities of orthopaedics, cardiology, ophthalmology and neuromodulation are developed and manufactured in Switzerland.
Implants from selected specialities have been systematically recorded since 2012 – with the aim of continuously improving quality and safety in implant medicine and making them visible through transparent data bases.
Who we are
The section Implants brings together member companies of Swiss Medtech that are active along the value chain in the field of implants. It focusses on all topics relating to the development, manufacture, distribution and safe use of implants.
Who can participate
Employees of Swiss Medtech member companies that are active in the field of implants and contribute to the corresponding value chain.
Our goals
The Implants Section pursues the overarching goal of promoting a sustainable, innovation-friendly and quality-orientated environment for implants in Switzerland. To this end, we are particularly committed to the following issues:
- Ensuring the highest quality and safety standards along the entire value chain – from development to patient use.
- Promoting innovation and technological excellence in order to do justice to the leading international position of Swiss medical technology.
- Strengthening and securing Switzerland as a leading centre for the development, production and distribution of implants.
- Development and representation of joint positions vis-à-vis politicians, authorities, professional circles and the public in order to effectively bundle the interests of the industry.
- Support evidence-based healthcare by promoting national registries and transparent outcome analyses.
Our activities
The Implants Section is actively involved in the further development of the implants sector in Switzerland. We implement targeted measures that promote quality, transparency, networking and innovation:
- Promotion of transparency and ethical behaviour through consistent application and further development of the Swiss Medtech Code of Ethics.
- Support and expansion of national implant registers to enable well-founded, comparable and objective analyses of medical interventions in the long term.
- Development of joint positions and recommendations, for example on regulatory requirements, reimbursement issues or international standards, in dialogue with authorities and political decision-makers.
- Intensifying cooperation with relevant stakeholders such as professional associations, health insurers, hospital associations and international partners (e.g. Eucomed, BVMed, Austramed).
- Exchange of knowledge and experience within the industry through specialist events, working groups and topic-specific initiatives.
- Early identification of trends and challenges in order to utilise innovation potential and proactively counter regulatory developments.
Management board
Laurent Aspect
Symbios Orthopédie SA
President Section Implants
Patrick Bonaccio
Johnson & Johnson AG
Marco Caruso
Medtronic Schweiz AG
Peter Dornseifer
Edwards Lifesciences SA
Section leader
Katja Grünenfelder
Heartbase Zürich AG
Members
34 member companies
Membership fee