Danner discussed the evolution of the medtech industry, the challenges engineers face, and how to foster a culture of innovation.
October 5, 2025
Cretex Medical | rms team member Emma Danner was interviewed for Medical Design & Outsourcing (MDO) Magazine’s annual Women in Medtech issue.
Cretex Medical | rms Engineering Manager Emma Danner was recently featured in Medical Design & Outsourcing’s annual Women in Medtech issue. In her interview, Emma shares insights on the evolution of the medtech industry, the challenges engineers face, and how fostering a culture of innovation and inclusion can help drive progress. She also highlights the importance of diversity and the key challenges medtech companies may encounter in the years ahead.
What initially attracted you to the medtech industry? How has your perspective on the industry evolved over the course of your career?
I always knew I wanted to go into a career that was centered around helping people. My first internship was with a medical device manufacturer where I worked on transcatheter heart valve replacements. The technical capabilities and the rate of innovation in the medical device field were awe-inspiring. I knew it’s where I wanted to be.
Now that I’ve been working in a fast-paced manufacturing environment, I am continually amazed by the limits that continue to be pushed with precision and micromanufacturing. Even though it’s still early in my professional career, I have already witnessed new ground being broken with devices and technologies that were not possible even 5 years ago.
From your experience, what are some of the key challenges that medtech engineers are likely to face in the coming years? How can professionals in the industry prepare for and navigate these challenges effectively?
The key challenge that engineers will face will be translating accelerating technological advancements into real-world applications that are accessible for manufacturers and patients. High-tech designs need to be practical and cost-effective. A manufacturing process cannot be so complex or volatile that it isn’t repeatable at scale. A product that requires a material that is incredibly scarce isn’t practical.
Similarly, products need to be produced sustainably. Water usage, energy consumption, product lifecycle, and cleaning and sterilization requirements need to be considered. Design for manufacturability and the efficiency of production are also key. Medtech engineers need to keep all these things in mind to ensure that products are functional, sustainable, and affordable for patients.
How do you think diversity and inclusion can contribute to the advancement of medtech engineering? How do you foster a culture of innovation within your team or organization?
The more perspectives in the conversation, the better the chance for innovation, and the higher the likelihood for a more well-rounded and human-centered solution. Diversity and inclusion are key agents in growth and continuous improvement. I enjoy working with our intern program here at Cretex Medical because it allows us to invite more people of various backgrounds and experiences to the table, and that changes the conversation. We know that these young engineers will be the future of the company and industry.
To drive innovation on my team, my favorite tool is the “No Bad Ideas” exercise. I challenge the group to come up with the worst ideas possible, and people just throw everything out there. What happens when you remove the subconscious restraints that prevent you from saying things is that together you can find good elements in different ideas. Ultimately, we can come up with a very creative team solution you wouldn’t have if people were more self-conscious.
To read the full article, visit MPO Magazine.
Please visit our website for more information about Cretex Medical and our services.