Medical devices and healthtech translation services

When a medical device is used in another country, the instructions need to be just as clear, accurate and reliable as they are in the original language. From instructions for use and product labelling to medical software, technical documentation and patient information, translation plays an important role in helping people understand and use medical technology safely.

At Atlas Translations, we’ve been providing specialist translation and language services since 1991.

We support medical device manufacturers, healthtech businesses, diagnostics companies and healthcare technology providers with accurate, carefully managed translation and localisation services.

Our experienced professional linguists understand the importance of specialist terminology, technical accuracy, consistency and the intended use of each document. And our project managers understand that a medical device translation is rarely just another document.

Need help translating medical device documentation or localising healthcare technology? Contact team@atlas-translations.co.uk for advice and a detailed quotation.

Medical device translation services

Medical devices cover an enormous range of products, from diagnostic equipment and surgical instruments to patient monitoring systems, wearable technology and specialist healthcare machinery.

Each product has its own terminology, intended users and documentation requirements. Some materials are intended for highly trained healthcare professionals. Others must be understood by patients, carers or members of the public.

We select professional translators with relevant medical, technical and scientific expertise, taking account of the product, intended audience and target market.

Documents we can help translate include:

• Instructions for use (IFUs)
• User manuals and operating instructions
• Medical device labels and packaging
• Technical specifications and data sheets
• Installation and maintenance manuals
• Product safety information and warnings
• Risk management documentation
• Quality management procedures
• Clinical evaluation documentation
• Technical files and supporting documentation
• Training materials for healthcare professionals
• Patient information and educational materials
• Marketing and product launch content
• Websites and digital product information

We can support individual documents or larger multilingual projects involving several products, document types and target markets.

Instructions for use (IFU) translation

Instructions for use are among the most important documents accompanying a medical device. They explain how a product should be operated, maintained, handled or disposed of, and may contain critical warnings and precautions.

A translation that is technically correct but unclear to the intended user can create unnecessary risks.

Our medical device translators pay particular attention to:

• Clear and unambiguous instructions
• Consistent technical terminology
• Safety warnings and precautions
• Product-specific terminology
• Units of measurement and numerical information
• Intended users and their level of technical knowledge
• Local language conventions
• Consistency between instructions, labels and supporting materials

We can work with existing approved terminology, reference documents and client style guides to maintain consistency across product ranges. Where something in the source document is unclear, our project managers will raise a query rather than allow an assumption to pass unnoticed.

Medical device labelling and packaging translation

Medical device packaging may need to communicate essential information within very limited space. Labels, symbols, warnings and instructions must be accurate and appropriate for the intended market.

We help manufacturers and suppliers translate:

• Device labels
• Packaging text
• Safety warnings
• Storage and handling instructions
• Product descriptions
• Sterilisation and disposal information
• Accompanying documentation
• Patient-facing packaging information

We can also provide multilingual typesetting and desktop publishing support to help incorporate translated text into existing layouts. Our team can flag potential linguistic or formatting issues, such as text expansion, unclear abbreviations or terminology inconsistencies.

Final regulatory and product labelling approval remains with the manufacturer and its regulatory specialists.

Healthtech and digital health localisation

Healthcare technology increasingly extends beyond physical medical devices. Digital health platforms, patient portals, remote monitoring systems, mobile applications and connected medical technologies all need to communicate effectively with users in different languages.

We support healthtech companies with translation and localisation for digital products and services.

This can include:

• Medical software interfaces
• Healthcare apps and mobile applications
• Patient portals
• Remote monitoring platforms
• Digital patient instructions
• Online training materials
• Software help content and support documentation
• Notifications and system messages
• Website and product content
• Healthcare technology marketing materials

Software localisation requires attention to more than terminology.

Our translators consider the context in which text appears, the intended user, character limits, consistency and local language conventions. We can work with developers and product teams using supplied strings, spreadsheets, reference screenshots and other localisation materials. Where appropriate, we can also discuss linguistic review of translated interfaces.

Diagnostics and laboratory equipment translation

Diagnostic devices and laboratory equipment often involve highly specialised scientific and technical terminology. We support organisations developing, manufacturing and supplying diagnostic products, testing equipment and laboratory technology.

Our translation services can cover:

• Diagnostic equipment manuals
• In vitro diagnostic (IVD) documentation
• Laboratory instrument instructions
• Testing procedures
• Product specifications
• Quality control documentation
• Technical training materials
• Safety information
• Software interfaces
• Product marketing materials

Our project managers select linguists with appropriate technical and scientific expertise for each project. We also support scientific and research organisations requiring translation of related laboratory and technical documentation.

Regulatory and quality documentation

Medical device manufacturers and healthtech businesses operate in environments where documentation, traceability and consistency are important. Translation requirements may vary according to the device, intended use, destination market and applicable regulatory framework.

We support the translation of documentation associated with medical device quality management and regulatory processes.

This may include:

• Technical documentation
• Quality management procedures
• Risk management documents
• Clinical evaluation reports
• Post-market surveillance documentation
• Corrective and preventive action (CAPA) records
• Audit documentation
• Product declarations and supporting materials
• Regulatory correspondence

We can work with your approved terminology, templates, instructions and document control requirements.

Please tell us where the translated material will be used and whether it is intended for a particular regulatory submission or market. This helps us identify the appropriate linguistic expertise and project requirements.

Atlas provides specialist translation and language services; responsibility for regulatory compliance and final document approval remains with the manufacturer and its appointed regulatory specialists.

Patient safety and clear communication

Medical technology may be used by clinicians, technicians, patients, carers and other healthcare professionals. The language must be appropriate for the people using the device or reading the instructions.

A technical manual intended for an experienced biomedical engineer will need a different approach from instructions for a patient using a device at home.

Our translators consider:

• The intended audience
• Medical and technical terminology
• Clarity of instructions
• Consistency of safety information
• Local language and cultural conventions
• Accessibility and readability
• The practical context in which the information will be used

We believe specialist human judgement is particularly important when translating material that may affect patient safety. And if something doesn’t make sense in the original, we’ll ask. Because a question raised before delivery is far better than a misunderstanding discovered afterwards.

Supporting international product launches

Launching a medical device or healthcare technology product into new markets can involve multiple languages, documents and stakeholders. You may need translations of instructions, packaging, software, training materials and marketing content, all using consistent terminology.

We can help coordinate the linguistic elements of your launch.

Our project managers can work with your internal teams, external agencies and technical specialists to manage:

• Multiple target languages
• Related documentation
• Terminology consistency
• Different document formats
• Review and approval stages
• Updates to existing translations
• Multilingual formatting
• Delivery deadlines

We can also discuss ongoing translation arrangements for businesses managing regular product updates or expanding into additional markets.

Why human expertise matters in medical device translation

Medical device translation combines technical knowledge, medical understanding and language expertise. The same term may have different meanings depending on the device, clinical context or intended user.

Automated translation can struggle with ambiguity, incomplete context, product-specific terminology and safety-critical instructions. At Atlas, we work with professional human translators who specialise in relevant subject areas.

Our approach is built around:

• Appropriate specialist linguist selection
• Clear project instructions
• Consistent terminology
• Professional review and quality assurance
• Queries when information is unclear
• Careful project management

We do not authorise translators to use AI tools for client translations unless this has been expressly agreed. Technology can support efficient workflows, but professional judgement remains central to our approach.

Quality, confidentiality and information security

Medical device and healthtech documentation may contain confidential product designs, technical information, intellectual property and commercially sensitive material. We understand the importance of protecting this information.

Atlas Translations is certified to:

• ISO 17100:2015 – Translation services requirements
• ISO 9001:2015 – Quality management systems

We also hold Cyber Essentials certification.

Our established project management processes support careful linguist selection, clear instructions, quality assurance and reliable delivery. Our professional linguists are subject to confidentiality obligations, and we can discuss additional non-disclosure agreements or project-specific security requirements.

More than translation

Medical device and healthtech projects often involve more than translating documents.

Atlas also provides:

• Editing and revision
• Proofreading
• Software and website localisation
• Multilingual desktop publishing and typesetting
• Subtitling and voiceover
• Transcription
• Interpreting
• Terminology management
• Linguistic consultancy

Whether you have a single IFU or a multilingual product launch involving dozens of documents, we can help you plan and coordinate the language requirements.

Why choose Atlas Translations?

Experience since 1991

More than three decades of providing professional language services to organisations working with specialist, technical and scientific content.

Specialist translators

We select professional linguists with relevant medical, scientific and technical knowledge.

ISO-certified processes

Our quality management and translation service certifications support a structured approach to translation and review.

Dedicated project managers

Experienced people who coordinate your projects, answer questions and keep everything on track.

Human-first approach

We believe in specialist expertise, professional judgement and asking questions when something is unclear.

Practical support

We help clients understand their translation requirements, manage multilingual projects and avoid unnecessary complexity.