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Christian Kaddick
CEO, EndoLab GmbH
Thansau, Germany |
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“Our customers depend on us to understand the standards and their applications. It's a business advantage. Understanding standards allows adaptation of test methods to new products that may not have standard test methods yet for basic evaluation.” |
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Who is your current employer and what is your current position? |
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I am CEO of EndoLab GmbH in Thansau, Germany. EndoLab GmbH offers a variety of technological services to develop and certify medical products. We are an accredited test laboratory according to ISO 17025 (DIN EN 45001 93/42/EWG). The company is a spin-off from the Technical University of Munich and is closely connected to several national and international research departments. |
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Where did you obtain your undergraduate/ graduate degree(s) and in what fields? |
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I have a Ph.D. from the Technical University of Munich. |
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When and why did you become involved in ASTM International? |
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I became an ASTM member in 2002 in the course of developing a new standard for spinal disc implants. |
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In which committees are you active? Are you a committee officer; if so, what group or groups? |
In which committees are you active? Are you a committee officer; if so, what group or groups?
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I work on Committee F04 on Medical and Surgical Materials and Devices. I am not a committee officer. |
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How do you apply ASTM standards in your work? |
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Our company performs mechanical tests for biological implants to achieve certification by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or CE. Currently, most standards available in this field are supplied by ASTM International. |
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Apart from using standards, are there advantages to participating in standards development? |
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Medical device testing is a rapidly growing field, and there are numerous new types of implants that require preclinical testing. Participating in the development of new standards helps us to use the most recent test methods as well as to supply ASTM with data and findings obtained by test procedures under development. |
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What are some of your favorite aspects of your job? |
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One of my favorite aspects is to participate in the entire process from understanding the biomechanics of the implant, developing and performing specific tests, to generating the final test report. Customers rely on Endolab test results and feedback for design updates. When products perform satisfactorily, Endolab reports are issued that will eventually be submitted to the proper administrative world bodies. The borderline between medicine and engineering continues to be fascinating. |
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Are there advantages that you can identify that result from having an understanding of standards? |
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Our customers depend on us to understand the standards and their applications. It's a business advantage. Understanding standards allows adaption of test methods to new products that may not have standard test methods yet for basic evaluations. Results from standardized tests help to revise or update future standards. Being involved from the beginning offers the advantage of being at the forefront of development. |
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Are there any words of wisdom that you can offer to professionals starting out in your field? |
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Whenever you are part of the design process of a new implant, do your job like you would be the one to receive it.
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