To enhance the competitiveness of the domestic medical device and assistive device industries, the Industrial Development Bureau, Ministry of Economic Affairs, commissioned MIRDC to host the 2020 Achievements Presentation of the Industrial Promotion and Guidance for Medical Device and Assistive Device Technologies at Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center on December 4, 2020. MIRDC is responsible for implementing the Technical Guidance and Promotion Program for Medical Device industry and Guidance and Internationalization Promotion Program for Niche Biotech and Pharmaceutical Industries by the Industrial Development Bureau, Ministry of Economic Affairs. Through technical improvement, enhancement of laws and regulations, cross-disciplinary professional cultivation, and international expansion, MIRDC has helped 18 domestic manufacturers upgrade their products exponentially. These outstanding achievements have effectively facilitated domestic medical device and assistive technology industries and enhanced the added-value of domestic medical devices and products.

This year's event showcased the smart medical devices and assistive devices developed by 18 domestic manufacturers, including Huang Ya Biotech, ClearMind Biomedical, PMI, Topnotch Bio-tech, Ossaware Biotech, Amed, Sincere Healthcare , Biotegy, Welllands, Wellgen Medical, AcuSense BioMedical, Leltek, Broadsims, Gemmy, SolidFocus, Omron, Rehabotics, and Besta. Products included a cartilage stapler, a transparent auxiliary cannula for ultra-minimally invasive brain surgery, a domestically made multifire laparoscopic clip applier for 5-mm endoscopes, and a smart blood pressure monitoring system for dialysis treatment. The event not only helped the manufacturers gain visibility but also garnered public trust towards domestic products and highlighted the immense potential of Taiwanese manufacturers.

Dr. Chih-lung Lin, vice president of MIRDC expressed that with age, physiology, mobility, and audiovisual functions gradually degrade while the demand for assistive devices increases. The business opportunities of the aged population are endless. Today, the medical devices and assistive devices develop towards diversification. They are also being integrated with innovative software. To address the 12 major issues of long-term care, we must first know the on-site demand. To achieve this, MIRDC focuses on the smart medical device and assistive device industries, providing comprehensive guidance and measures for R&D design, testing and cetification, and marketing and distribution to brew another industrial upgrading. Due to Taiwan's limited market, many manufacturers endeavor to expand into international markets once they discover a niche product. However, we suggest that manufacturers first strive to increase domestic utilization of niche products to not only gain the market feedback but also recognize the application and situation of their products.