The Cutting Edge of Medical Equipment Miniaturization and Sustainability – Materials and Sensing Technologies Supporting Higher-Speed Testing [MD&M West 2026 Exhibition Report]

Exhibition report from MD&M West 2026, one of the world's largest medical device trade shows

MD&M West 2026 (Medical Design & Manufacturing West), one of the world's largest trade shows in the medical device industry, was held from February 3 to 5, 2026, at the Anaheim Convention Center. Known as a trade show dedicated to manufacturing for medical and healthcare applications, the event draws cutting-edge technologies and experts from around the world, spanning everything from product design to manufacturing.

Dexerials exhibited at the show, presenting technologies and products for medical devices. Our exhibits focused on products for medical devices, including anisotropic conductive film (ACF), which supports the miniaturization and compact design of medical devices, secondary protection fuses for lithium-ion batteries; paper-based microfluidic devices called μPADs; and eye shield materials that help protect healthcare workers. We also surveyed the latest developments in sensing and polymer technologies for future applications, engaging in discussions with engineers and specialists.

This article reports on the key topics at MD&M West 2026 and highlights from our exhibits.

What is MD&M West? One of North America's largest trade shows supporting medical device design and manufacturing

MD&M West (Medical Design & Manufacturing West) is one of North America's largest trade shows in the field of medical device design and manufacturing, held annually in Anaheim, California. It began in 1985 as an exhibition for medical device components and manufacturing equipment, and over the course of more than 40 years, it has grown into one of the industry's premier trade shows, encompassing the medical, critical industries, and advanced manufacturing sectors. MD&M attracted exhibitors from more than 40 countries, with approximately 1,700 companies participating and over 13,000 attendees.

During the event, in addition to exhibitor displays, attendees had access to conferences on medical devices and technology as well as sustainable manufacturing, along with numerous expert-led workshops, providing a valuable opportunity to gain broad exposure to the latest technologies and insights. Notably, 74% of attendees are involved in purchasing decisions or specification development, 7 out of 10 are working on projects set to launch within a year, and engineers, executives, and business development professionals make up 67% of attendees. This makes the show a key venue for unveiling new technologies and forging business connections, and it has attracted strong interest as a platform for developing powerful solutions and creating life-changing medical devices.

Key topics at MD&M West 2026: Sustainability and automation gain momentum

One of the topics that drew the most attention at MD&M West 2026 was sustainability. The Sustainable Manufacturing Conference, a recently established addition that has been attracting growing interest, featured a strong focus on themes such as reducing environmental impact and improving resource efficiency. The conference included 26 presentations covering topics ranging from materials to product design, manufacturing, and supply chains, with discussions on leveraging technologies such as AI to improve efficiency and on ways to make operations more sustainable across various fields without compromising quality or profitability.

Another defining feature of MD&M West is that it brings together a wide range of industry sectors under one roof, making it an ideal opportunity to gain a comprehensive view of innovation trends. This year was no exception, with companies from sectors including medical devices, medical technology, automation, design, manufacturing, plastic materials, plastic processing, and packaging presenting their latest technologies. Through interactions with specialists, attendees were able to gain a broad perspective on the current state of the industry and where it is heading. As machinery and software continue to advance in speed and precision, growing attention is also being directed toward automation, additive manufacturing, and inspection technologies. Dexerials received a wide range of feedback on its technologies and products that support device miniaturization and faster inspection processes. We plan to apply these insights to our future development efforts.

Dexerials' contributions to medical devices: Enhanced sensing, miniaturization, and safety

At the Dexerials booth, we exhibited products including anisotropic conductive film (ACF), secondary protection fuses, optical semiconductors, μPADs, and medical eye shield materials. We also conducted extensive research across the show floor, surveying the latest technologies related to medical device miniaturization, secondary protection fuses for lithium-ion batteries, and developments in sensing and polymer technologies.

Paper-based microfluidics for faster medical testing: μPADs

In medical settings, the speed of diagnosis has a significant impact on treatment decisions. In emergency medicine and infectious disease response in particular, a difference of minutes to hours can greatly affect patient outcomes.

This is where μPADs are gaining attention. μPADs leverage capillary action within the microscopic structure of paper to control fluid flow without the need for external power sources or pumps. A key advantage is that they can be used even in environments with limited medical infrastructure.

Additionally, because the use of printing technology to form flow channels simplifies the manufacturing process, μPADs offer strong practical potential as disposable testing devices. They are also compatible with quantitative analysis via smartphone integration, enabling digital diagnostics and data management. For these reasons, μPADs are expected to serve not only as a means of accelerating testing, but also as a foundational technology for supporting self-care and telemedicine in the future. Dexerials exhibited its μPADs, currently under development, at the MD&M West 2026 booth, and through extensive discussions with visitors, gained a broad range of insights to inform future development.

ACF and secondary protection fuses: Contributing to medical device miniaturization and safety

In recent years, the miniaturization and compact design of medical devices have been accelerating. Dexerials exhibited Anisotropic Conductive Film (ACF) and secondary protection fuses as technologies that enable device miniaturization while maintaining safety.

A key feature of ACF is that it performs three functions in a single material: adhesion, electrical conduction, and insulation. It can connect a large number of electrodes simultaneously, and offers significant advantages compared to conventional soldering methods used in electronic component mounting, such as the ability to achieve finer-pitch connections, as well as mounting at relatively low temperatures of approximately 110°C to 180°C. ACF has a structure in which conductive particles are dispersed within a thermosetting adhesive resin. At MD&M West 2026, ACF was introduced as an example of a mounting technology for compact, thin-profile designs in wearable and medical devices.

The secondary protection fuse developed by Dexerials is a fuse component that physically and irreversibly interrupts the charge/discharge circuit as part of the secondary protection circuit for lithium-ion batteries. By the time the secondary protection fuse activates, the BMS (battery management system), which is the primary protection, has already failed to function properly, meaning the lithium-ion battery as a whole is no longer in a normal state. The role of the secondary protection fuse is to deliberately interrupt the circuit to safely render the battery inoperable, preventing a lithium-ion battery with unstable charge/discharge control from continuing to operate.

At MD&M West 2026, we used medical device applications such as AEDs, surgical instruments, and infusion pumps as examples to explain the role of secondary protection fuses and the design principles behind them, from the standpoint of the safety and reliability required of medical devices. We were also able to exchange views with industry professionals who visited our booth on challenges in battery protection and on design approaches for secondary protection using thin, surface-mount SMD fuses.

Photonics-based sensing technologies advancing in the medical field

Sensing technologies in the medical field are also making significant strides. Sensing technologies that utilize the wavelength range of approximately 900 to 1,700 nm (SWIR: short-wave infrared) are attracting attention across a variety of fields, including medicine. Dexerials exhibited not only sensors that detect the transmission and absorption characteristics of different substances, but also photodiodes made from compound semiconductors such as InGaAs, which play a critical role in that detection. At the show, we presented application examples for medical uses such as pulse oximeters, infrared thermometers, and blood analysis devices, highlighting the expanding role of optical sensing technologies in the medical field. Through these use cases, we also exchanged views with visitors on how optical sensing technologies are being applied in medical settings.

Toward advancing medical device technology and sustainability together

MD&M West 2026 once again attracted strong interest as one of the world's largest trade shows covering everything from medical device design and manufacturing to advanced technologies. A wide range of topics pointing to the future of manufacturing in medicine were featured, including sustainability, automation, additive manufacturing, and sensing technologies, making the event a valuable opportunity to gain a bird's-eye view of where the industry is heading.

At this event, Dexerials exhibited rapid testing technology using μPADs, medical device safety and miniaturization solutions through ACF and secondary protection fuses, and photonics-based sensing technologies leveraging optical sensing. We engaged in lively discussions with a large number of visitors. These technologies contribute to faster diagnostics, improved safety, and expanded access to healthcare, and represent key elements in the future development of medical devices. We will continue to draw on the knowledge and feedback gained at the show as we work to create new value in the medical field.

If you were unable to attend or would like to learn more about our exhibits, please feel free to contact us.