About AdvaMed®
Celebrating 50 Years of Medtech. AdvaMed® advocates globally for the highest ethical standards and patient access to safe, effective and innovative medical technologies that save and improve lives.
AdvaMed History
Incorporation of HIMA
The Health Industry Manufacturers Association was established.
Medtech History
Whole-Body CT Scanner Revolutionizes Diagnostic Imaging
First whole-body Computed Tomography (CT) scanner developed by Robert S. Ledley, revolutionizing diagnostic imaging with detailed cross-sectional views.
Medtech History
Congress Passes Medical Device Amendments, Reshaping FDA Oversight
Legislation established for the first time specific regulation of medical devices including a device classification system that still remains today.
Medtech History
Full-Body MRI Scan Transforms Internal Health Assessments
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) technology was developed throughout the decade, and researchers conducted the first full-body MRI scan.
Medtech History
World’s First IVF Baby Born, Launching a New Era in Reproductive Medicine
Louise Brown was born in the UK, marking the first successful assisted reproduction birth by In Vitro Fertilization (IVF).
Medtech History
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Technology Debuts in Clinical Use
MRI technology was introduced as a radiation-free imaging tool, offering high-resolution, non-invasive views of soft tissue and the brain.
AdvaMed History
Medtech Industry Adopts First Code of Ethics
The original Health Industry Manufacturers Association (HIMA) Code is introduced, setting ethical standards for interactions between medical technology companies and healthcare professionals.
Medtech History
Robotic-Assisted Surgery Enters the Operating Room
Automated Endoscopic System for Optimal Positioning (AESOP), the first voice-controlled robotic surgical assistant, debuts in surgery—paving the way for a new era of robotic precision in the OR.
Medtech History
FDA Modernization Act Signed, Accelerating Medical Innovation
AdvaMed lobbied for many device provisions in the FDA Modernization Act, including the establishment of the least burdensome concept and priority review for breakthrough technologies.
Medtech History
First Physician-Use Glucose Monitoring System Approved by FDA
The FDA approved the First Physician-Use Glucose Monitoring System which recorded glucose values over a 3-day period.
AdvaMed History
HIMA Becomes AdvaMed to Reflect Innovation and Advocacy
The Health Industry Manufacturers Association rebrands as the Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed), signaling a stronger focus on innovation and industry leadership.
Medtech History
3D Printing Enters Health Care, Opening Doors to Custom Medical Solutions
The health care industry started using 3D printing in 2000, and a year later, the first synthetic scaffolds for human bladder tissue were 3D printed.
Medtech History
Industry Secures Dedicated FDA Funding for Device Reviews
The first Medical Device User Fee Agreement (MDUFA) is enacted, enabling the FDA to accelerate medical device reviews with industry-provided funding.
AdvaMed History
Enhanced Code of Ethics
AdvaMed’s enhanced Code of Ethics set the industry standard for ethical interactions with health care professionals.
AdvaMed History
AdvaMedDx Division Launched to Advance Diagnostic Innovation
AdvaMed establishes AdvaMedDx, representing 70+ manufacturers of cutting-edge in vitro diagnostic (IVD) tests in the U.S. and globally.
AdvaMed History
AdvaMed Accel Launched to Champion Emerging Innovators
AdvaMed establishes AdvaMed Accel to support small and emerging medtech companies, advocating for policies that promote innovation, access, and investment.
AdvaMed History
Medical Device Tax Permanently Repealed
AdvaMed leads successful advocacy to eliminate the medical device excise tax, saving the industry nearly $2 billion annually and fueling continued innovation
AdvaMed History
AdvaMed leads advocacy on EtO regulation
AdvaMed’s advocacy on the critical role of ethylene oxide (EtO) in the sterilization of medical technology helped educate stakeholders on the importance of EtO, while helping to secure medtech’s exemption from legislative and regulatory efforts to curb the safe, responsible use of EtO.
AdvaMed History
AdvaMed Drives Medicare Payment Reform to Expand Access
AdvaMed secures critical Medicare payment and coding reforms, accelerating patient access to medical technology and supporting continued innovation.
AdvaMed History
AdvaMed Advances FDA Regulatory Reforms for Faster Access
AdvaMed helps secure and implement major legislation—including MDUFA, the 21st Century Cures Act, and the FDA Reauthorization Act—to streamline regulatory processes and accelerate patient access to life-saving innovation.
AdvaMed History
COVID-19 Testing Supply Registry
Early in the pandemic, to support government pandemic response efforts, AdvaMedDx launched a COVID-19 Testing Supply Registry. The Registry provides real-time, actionable data on COVID-19 testing supplies shipped to laboratories nationwide.
Medtech History
Telemedicine Accelerates
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth and telemedicine rapidly expanded and provided new insights on patient and provider use.
Medtech History
Wearables for Cardiac Monitoring
FDA cleared AI-powered ECG apps in smartwatches (e.g., Apple Watch, Fitbit) to detect atrial fibrillation.
AdvaMed HIstory
MDUFA V Obtained
AdvaMed secured the passage of MDUFA V, allowing the FDA and medtech industry to better serve patients and better outcomes.
AdvaMed History
Digital Health Tech Division Established
AdvaMed formed its AdvaMed Digital Health Tech division to better represent its members powering the digital health revolution.
AdvaMed History
Medical Imaging Division Established
AdvaMed formed its Medical Imaging division. Its newest division represents a wide range of companies manufacturing medical imaging equipment, radiopharmaceuticals, contrast media, and focused ultrasound devices.
AdvaMed History
AdvaMed Launches Emerging Policy & Tariff Response Center
In response to the evolving political landcape AdvaMed create a central hub for the latest updates, advocacy efforts, and resources to help medtech leaders navigate evolving policies.
AdvaMed History
Join Us Where MedTech Redefines the Future of Health Care
The MedTech Conference, hosted by AdvaMed, will unite global medtech leaders in San Diego, October 5–8, for critical insights, innovation, and industry-shaping conversation
Representing the Power of MedTech — From Startups to Global Leaders
AdvaMed® , The Medtech Association, is a trade association that leads the effort to advance medical technology in order to achieve healthier lives and healthier economies around the world. AdvaMed®’s membership has reached over 600 members and more than 80 employees with a global presence including Europe, India, China, Brazil, and Japan. AdvaMed®’s member companies range from the largest to the smallest medical technology innovators and companies. The Association acts as the common voice for companies producing medical devices, diagnostic products and digital health technologies.
AdvaMed®’s Efforts
AdvaMed® promotes competitive policies that foster the highest ethical standards, appropriate reimbursement, and access to international markets. While the policies advocated by AdvaMed® are tailored to the specific issues facing the device and diagnostics industry, the need for strategic government policies is applicable to all the high technology, high value sectors in which America must compete effectively if it is to assure robust economic growth and a high standard of living for the American people.
That’s why AdvaMed® has created a policy framework that, when enacted, will help preserve our leadership and foster future growth and innovation. Without strategic government policies to support the medical technology industry’s efforts to compete in world markets, American economic leadership will be lost.
AdvaMed® provides a variety of Medtech services to companies producing medical devices, diagnostic products, and digital health technologies to support business development, investment, to ultimately save and improve patient lives.
A Washington Leader
AdvaMed® was named one of the most effective trade associations in Washington, D.C. according to the latest annual TradeMarks study released by APCO Worldwide, a leading international advocacy and communications consulting firm. Based on a survey of 322 policy leaders in Washington, AdvaMed® ranked first in 3 of 15 performance categories: media relations, information resource, and member representation.
Become an AdvaMed® Member
Join over 500 medical technology companies as a member of one of the most effective trade associations in Washington, D.C.