Printed Electronics
Medico & Life science
Case

Wearable health-care electrodes for wound treatment, oedema, and restitution

Production of wearable electrodes in collaboration with Firstkind. The British company Firstkind has developed a wearable medical device that accelerates chronic wound healing, reduces post-operative and trauma-based oedema, prevents blood clots and speeds up muscle recovery after exercise.

Firstkind's need for a partner with a deep technical knowledge of printing electrodes for medical devices, that could produce in very large quantities, was the starting point for our collaboration.

Firstkind has developed a wearable medical device that accelerates chronic wound healing, reduces post-operative and trauma-based oedema, prevents blood clots and speeds up muscle recovery after exercise.

This technology is incorporated into product variants branded geko™ for medical applications and firefly™ for elite sport muscle recovery.

Through its innovative mechanism of neuromuscular, the device stimulates the common peroneal nerve, in the leg, activating the calf and foot muscle pumps, increasing blood flow to a rate equal to 60% of walking. The electrodes are easily applied to the skin with hydrogel and takes up no more space than a wristwatch.

"Our suppliers must have strong technical capabilities, robust quality systems and a culture that fits well with our partnership approach. Mekoprint is an important part of a complex global supply chain and they have been a great fit. They are responsive, collaborative and deliver what they promise."

Head of Manufacturing and Logistics, Firstkind

Mark Whalley

The choice of production partner

Mekoprint was chosen as a production partner as we are able to produce the printed circuit for the solution in a high-volume setup and at an attractive price level.

We produce up to 500,000 sensors per year. With the ability to quickly scale production according to Firstkind's increasing needs, the supply chain is future proved.

The collaboration between Firstkind and Mekoprint means that Firstkind can focus on their core competencies and safely leave the production of electrodes to Mekoprint.

The future is digital

In the healthcare industry, a growing number of digital products are being developed to make life easier for patients and users. Firstkind's products are a great example of this.

New digital applications are constantly entering the market, making it necessary to have the right know-how to collaborate and develop new groundbreaking products.

The focus on quality and product development has led to Mekoprint acting as a sparring partner for Firstkind on the next generation of products alongside the ongoing production of electrodes.

"There are not many players globally in this space with the capacity to handle rapidly increasing volumes. We are happy to have found Mekoprint."

Head of Manufacturing and Logistics, Firstkind

Mark Whalley

Electrode design

Prints on both sides of foil
Three printed layers:
- one graphical ink, and two functional inks for electrical conduction and electrical isolation
Layer properties according to Firstkind specifications
Delivered on rolls for further processing

Deep technical knowledge of printing electrodes for medical devices

Capacitiy to produce in very large quantities
Efficient roll-to-roll production setup
Parameters control in the process
Maintaining very high quality level

"We have an efficient roll-to-roll production setup, which allows us to control all parameters in the process while maintaining the very high quality that Firstkind demands. This is crucial in order to maintain efficiency throughout the value chain."