Similarly, although a more durable medical device case costs more initially, its improved longevity means that it has lower lifetime costs than a cheaper one that may need replacing every couple of years.

By far the most common type of medical equipment cases are the lightweight plastic options. This includes cases by Hofbauer, WAG, Rose Plastic and Maxado.

Sourcing medical device cases is often difficult. With so many factors and points to consider, added to the range of options, it can seem a daunting task.

Finally, you can add your branding and logo to your medical device cases, advertising your business to the healthcare professionals who use it.

Most handheld items are relatively robust, meaning lightweight plastic cases provide adequate protection. However, for particularly delicate items or those that are highly calibrated, a more durable case, such as a Peli or Explorer case, may be more suitable.

Finally, medical professionals may lose time and have to reschedule appointments if specific equipment is damaged or unavailable.

However, some applications may require heavier-duty, fully waterproof cases. These are particularly popular for medical equipment taken outside (for example, by first responders) or where moisture can cause significant damage to the device.

Medical device cases are typically lightweight plastic cases with foam inserts. They protect small equipment and handheld devices during storage and transportation. Besides protection, they can also help organise equipment and feature important information and instructions. They are commonly used to protect diagnostic, therapeutic, monitoring, and surgical devices.

Common equipment includes devices for diagnosing medical conditions, continuous or intermittent monitoring of vital signs and other health parameters, or therapeutic devices for delivering treatments or therapies directly to patients.

Known as shadow boards, this type of foam significantly improves efficiency for the end user while preventing costly items from becoming lost.

There are several conductive packaging options for protecting medical devices. You can also choose to use anti-static foam within your chosen outer case.

GWP’s team of medical device case experts can help. We have over 30 years of experience supplying protective cases with foam inserts to medical equipment manufacturers. This means we understand the nuances of successful packaging in this industry, but our range of options also means we can offer you impartial, trustworthy advice on the best option for your specific application.

If, for example, your equipment has an expected lifespan of two years before it becomes obsolete or unserviceable, then it makes sense to source a lighter-weight, less costly case.

If handheld medical devices are transported from place to place, a protective case that makes handling easy can be a significant benefit. This is particularly true for heavier, bulkier items.

Firstly, medical devices can often significantly improve a patient’s quality of life. However, this could be negatively affected if a medical device is damaged and not available for use.

ESD can cause catastrophic damage to the microchips, circuit boards and other electronic components used in medical devices. Even if the device does not break immediately, ESD can also significantly reduce its lifetime.

While these will always be printed on an accompanying leaflet, it can be wise to print the most important instructions directly on the case itself.

Many medical devices come with an array of peripherals, extensions, and components. Having these loose in a case can not only make finding them difficult but also lead to items being lost.

Regardless, it is almost always worth incorporating foam inserts into your case, as they can prevent different items within the case from colliding and damaging each other. And for more fragile equipment, precise levels of cushioning from shock can be calculated, virtually eliminating the potential for damage.

It is also worth thinking about how end users will handle your case. If they are constantly being transported, loaded into vehicles, and so on, they will likely need to be more durable than if they are kept at a single location.

As such, medical device cases that include handles, feet (so the case can stand up on end), easy-to-use catches, and even shoulder straps can all make life easier for the medical professional using your device.

However, if your medical device case needs to last indefinitely, one of the more durable, robust options would be a better choice.

Often referred to as carry cases, they protect from dust, moisture, splashes and debris. Combined with foam inserts, they can also protect from physical damage caused by impact, mishandling or vibration.

Finally, there are some applications where a bespoke Correx box is suitable. Although they provide less physical protection than plastic cases, they are made in custom sizes and designs and are ideal for clean room use (as users can sterilise them).

Besides the risks to health (and potentially life), damaged medical devices are typically expensive to replace. Their specialist nature may also make it difficult to quickly and easily source a direct replacement.

It may be surprising to discover that many medical devices can suffer damage caused by static electricity or, to use the technical term, electrostatic discharge (ESD).

Likewise, if your equipment could become damaged by moisture or is likely to be used or left outside, you should strongly consider waterproof cases.

More seriously, damaged equipment could potentially result in loss of life if, for example, monitoring equipment was broken, which meant important information about a patient’s health was missed or unavailable.

You can also include other important information, such as model numbers or handling symbols (which can have a surprising impact on the protection a case provides).

As such, handheld medical devices typically requiring a case include handheld ultrasound scanners, portable ECG monitors, nebulisers, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) units for pain management, handheld glucose meters for diabetes management and many more.

And if your case is carrying lifesaving equipment, it is impossible to put a price on being able to save a life thanks to the required equipment being well protected and in full working order.

As such, medical device cases can benefit from foam inserts that feature different-coloured foam recesses. Tailored to the specific equipment, the contrasting colour of the recessed area helps users quickly identify if a part or piece of equipment has not been put back in the case.

If replacing a damaged piece of equipment would cost thousands of pounds, it is worth specifying a higher-performance case that may be more expensive initially but helps prevent costly damage to your equipment.

So, with several different medical device cases and similar medical packaging to choose from, how do you decide which is the most suitable for your product and application? These seven vital considerations can help guide you toward the best option:

Ian is one of the founding Directors of GWP, using his broad knowledge acquired over more than 30 years to oversee new business strategy. Read full bio

If you supply handheld equipment to medical and healthcare providers, you are likely already aware of the importance of medical device cases.