Max. To protect the device from damage

To protect the device. However, less packaging waste is also becoming a concern.

Michael Lehmicke It has to be easy to open in the OR.

Sterility

Richard Reilly We package to ensure protection from damage due to package handling from shippers and protection from the environment such as excessive heat and humidity.

Craig Scherer In many cases, the packaging of a medical device is essentially part of the product. As such, it should be considered as part of the product system, meaning that the out of package experience, can either hinder or aid a patient, caregiver, clinician or other users. In addition to all of the regulatory issues around labeling and materials etc., the package should be designed and tested for usability and for optimizing the overall user experience as part of the system.

The inclusion of quick start guides to support the IFU and even the order that a product's components are placed in the package can significantly help create more efficient workflows and improve outcomes, from a wide range of products from surgical systems to patient administered home therapies.

Ee Bin Liew great points by all - sterility (if applicable), preserving the integrity of the device, quick access to the device when used.. and a place for your device labelling.

Consistently highest quality packages! Each one is a bit different, not all are sterile, sterilizable, fragile or reused, so the devil is in the details for each product. That is why there are packaging experts.

Most medical devices go through three stages of testing.
accelerated aging, conditioning & distribution and Sterility.
Packaging design starts with backing card or tray, avoid sharp edge and select packaging material thickness (pouch or Tray) adequately, so it can survive all the testing, Use outer corrugated shipper of minimum 275# so you don't have to worry about doing concentration impact test. (ASTM D6344). Make sure inner packaging fits snug so that product doesn't move around during vibration testing.
www.testopac.com

Anthony Davis Good points by all. I'm pretty new to the flexible packaging and pouching industry. The medical device packaging side of things has been the most intriguing during the testing and trial phase.

Are medical device manufacturers often times more loyal to their current packaging suppliers when compared to other industries?

Also, are medical device manufacturers less swayed by pricing as it pertains to qualifying packaging suppliers?

Ee Bin Liew Hi Anthony,

Because of the factors above, clients are going to be very sensitive about pricing indeed (not just the pricing, but also the supply chain i.e.transportation), and the quality of the packaging. And in healthcare, one mistake in the latter (for example, it causes a very expensive recall), could mean that the client goes somewhere else. So in this aspect it pays to be vigorous.

hope it helps

Cheers,
Ee Bin