Assessing long-term medical remanufacturing emissions with Life Cycle Analysis

TL;DR

This paper evaluates the environmental benefits of remanufacturing medical devices, specifically electrophysiology catheters, demonstrating significant potential for long-term emission reductions through a comprehensive Life Cycle Analysis framework.

Contribution

It introduces a detailed emission assessment framework for medical device remanufacturing and provides the first holistic evaluation of its long-term carbon footprint impacts.

Findings

Remanufacturing can reduce emissions by up to 60% per device.

Long-term emission reductions of up to 48% are achievable.

The study emphasizes the importance of considering long-term impacts in environmental assessments.

Abstract

The unsustainable take-make-dispose linear economy prevalent in healthcare contributes 4.4% to global Greenhouse Gas emissions. A popular but not yet widely-embraced solution is to remanufacture common single-use medical devices like electrophysiology catheters, significantly extending their lifetimes by enabling a circular life cycle. To support the adoption of catheter remanufacturing, we propose a comprehensive emission framework and carry out a holistic evaluation of virgin manufactured and remanufactured carbon emissions with Life Cycle Analysis (LCA). We followed ISO modelling standards and NHS reporting guidelines to ensure industry relevance. We conclude that remanufacturing may lead to a reduction of up to 60% per turn (-1.92 kg CO2eq, burden-free) and 57% per life (-1.87 kg CO2eq, burdened). Our extensive sensitivity analysis and industry-informed buy-back scheme simulation revealed long-term emission reductions of up to 48% per remanufactured catheter life (-1.73 kg CO2eq). Our comprehensive results encourage the adoption of electrophysiology catheter remanufacturing, and highlight the importance of estimating long-term emissions in addition to traditional emission metrics.