Current trends of intelligent, smart packagings in new medical applications

• Published in: Procedia computer science Vol. 207; pp. 1271 - 1282
• Main Authors: Rydzkowski, Tomasz, Wróblewska-Krepsztul, Jolanta, Thakur, Vijay Kumar, Królikowski, Tomasz
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 2022
• Subjects: drone; medical packaging; modern packaging; polymer; recycling; polymer; modern packaging; recycling; drone; medical packaging
• ISSN: 1877-0509; 1877-0509
• DOI: 10.1016/j.procs.2022.09.183

The article presents current stage and new tendencies noticeable in packagings for medical applications. New packagings for drugs and medical products are characterised by modern design and new features. They have attractive appearance and great usability. It is usually accompanied by functional materials and unfortunately by a higher price. In the market we can see also a lot of traditional, cheap products in adequate packagings. New products are protected by active and intelligent packaging. Thanks to this usage of products is easier and more convenient, consumers and a specially patients, are safer. Next direction is noticeable progress in bio- and biodegradable materials structures adopted in medical applications. We have to concern also about the environmental and economic impact of the packaging value chain - from raw material extraction and production, through package conversion and creation, to post-use recovery and solid waste scenarios. It is essential to notice the problem of some medical packaging waste utilisation. A significant amount of plastic waste is generated from such materials. There is an opportunity for packaging engineers to do a better job of designing for recycling and thinking about what that material's next life will be. Potential solutions include embracing circular economy concepts and mono-material designing or multilayer compatible materials. Currently, new problem, fast developing case is quick and safe access of patients to drugs. Drones can be a device that provides quick access to medicines. They can also safely transport medical devices such as defibrillators. The development of mobile medicine is nowadays a sector that should especially be developed.