Articles
Extrusion: Beyond Simple Tubing
October 25, 2012 3:47 pm | by Sean Fenske | Pexco, LLC, Teleflex Medical OEM, Sil-Pro, LLC, Vesta, Inc. | CommentsMedical device manufacturers have traditionally relied on their extrusion supply partners for affordable medical tubing for a variety of application areas. However, more and more, these OEMs are seeking greater capabilities and more design solutions from these same supply parterners. This article looks at how medical extrusion is impacting device development today.
Microstructure Engineering: An Alternative to Coatings
October 25, 2012 3:23 pm | by Andrew Cannon and Sarah Hulseman | Hoowaki Llc | CommentsWhile coatings can offer an array of benefits to medical device components, in certain cases, they can also come with adverse effects that impact the overall efficacy of the product. An innovative technique—microstructure engineering—enables a surface treatment to be accomplished during the component fabrication process, providing an alternative to coatings.
Applying Tech: Wireless Medicine
October 24, 2012 3:48 pm | by William Chan, Donald L. Sweeney, David Niewolny, Joe Tillison, and Anthony J. Kalaijakis | LINEMASTER Switch Corporation, D.L.S. Electronic Systems, Inc., Freescale Semiconductor, Inc., Avnet Electronics Marketing, Molex | CommentsWireless devices have the ability to become self-contained diagnostic laboratories, communication devices for medical records, and medical therapy devices. One of the biggest challenges facing both the consumer and the clinical wireless healthcare market is large scale adoption. Adoption is limited by the regulatory environment, current product prices, and ease of device use.
Motors Take on Cancer
October 19, 2012 4:53 pm | by Paul McGrath | Maxon Precision Motors, Inc. | CommentsWhen it came to designing a multi-leaf collimator (MLC) device, ViewRay took on the challenge to produce an end product that would be more accurate than others on the market. ViewRay collaborated with Maxon Precision Motors for critical components, including a custom motherboard, motors, encoders, gearheads, and individual motor control modules, according to an engineering team member.
Balloon-Forming Innovations Improve Quality and Reduce Cost
October 19, 2012 4:17 pm | by David Yanes and Eric Mabry | Interface Catheter Solutions | CommentsCatheter balloons are an important device for a variety of cardiovascular treatments. However, their manufacture can be a complicated process that, if completed wrong, can lead to waste and excess costs. This article highlights a number of innovative technologies that are being offered to help balloon manufacturers ensure their products are defect-free the first time.
A Matter of Materials: Extrusion
October 19, 2012 3:01 pm | by Mathew Bills and Robert LaDuca | Duke Empirical | CommentsNew material offerings are critical to medical device manufacturers as they provide new opportunities in the development of cutting edge technologies. This three-part round-up features three new materials that are impacting medical device manufacturing in the areas of adhesives/coatings, molding, and extrusion. This part focuses on extrusion.
Perspectives on Supplier Differentiator, Part II
October 19, 2012 2:10 pm | by Deborah Kacera, Daniel Rudolf, Dan Walsh, Christine Forcier, and Bill Leverich | Pilgrim Software, Inc., RBC Medical Innovations | CommentsThe next evolution is the focus on the supply chain and ensuring the detailed processes are in place and that products/processes provided by downstream suppliers are validated and real. With globalization as the post facto now, it will require more stringent supplier controls from the initial selection of suppliers through the monitoring phases. How will suppliers select and monitor their supplier base?
Perspectives on Supplier Differentiator, Part I
October 19, 2012 11:49 am | by Joe Rotino, Alan Walsh, Aidan Petrie, Carol Tucker, and Michelle Lott | Pro-Dex, Logic Pd, Ximedica, Vention Medical, Inc., Xeridiem | CommentsAs external industry influences like excise taxes, longer approval process time, and reimbursement pressures bear down on device manufacturers, development partners must look to areas of opportunity and how to best support medical firms in these pursuits. While opportunities such as the growing and aging population and emerging markets are getting a lot of play, it’s also important to realize that progress (i.e., technological advances) poses perhaps the most significant area of opportunity in transforming healthcare.
Searching for a Natural Rubber Alternative for Disposables
October 18, 2012 3:40 pm | by Philippe Henderson | CommentsMany medical device component manufacturers have to adjust their product formulations to meet growing market demand for protein-free alternatives to natural rubber and natural rubber latex (NR/NRL). As simple as this may sound, this change not only requires the use of unfamiliar raw materials, but also requires new processes and a certain amount of trial and error before manufacturers discover the best NR/NRL alternatives for their formulations. One thing they can agree upon is that not all NRL alternatives are created equally.
Applying Tech: Cardiovascular, Part II
October 18, 2012 3:27 pm | by John Beigel, Brian McPherson, Robert Hergenrother, Peter Gabriele, and Donald M. Garcia | Meder Electronic Inc., SurModics, Inc., Secant Medical, Inc. , Boyd Coatings Research, Inc. | CommentsIt’s not the journey, it’s the destination. In the case of interventional cardiovascular devices, both the journey and the destination are vital. These devices need to navigate the tortuous pathways of the vasculature in order to access and treat complex distal lesions. Getting there isn’t always easy.
Applying Tech: Cardiovascular, Part I
October 18, 2012 3:12 pm | by Andrew Cannon, Richard M. Rots, Mark Geiger, John Schmitz, and Sascha Weiler | Hoowaki Llc, Dimensional Control Systems, Interface Catheter Solutions, Aberdeen Technologies Inc., Trumpf Inc. | CommentsWhen a manufacturer picks up a cardiovascular device, they literally hold someone’s life. There is no room for flaws in the quality of this product, or any other in the cardiovascular realm. These devices are shrinking, while becoming increasingly advanced—more intricate parts achieve more complex functions, within a surface area that leaves only enough space for perfection. So the case has never been greater for quality assurance. Conducting risk analysis through variation analysis software can satisfy it.
Roundtable Q&A: Machining
October 17, 2012 5:06 pm | by Marty Cavegn, Steve Dicke, Pete Marut, and Trisha Mowry | Metal Craft Machine & Engineering, Connecticut Spring & Stamping | CommentsRepresentatives from machining companies serving the medical device community respond to questions including, " Why are machined components still a viable part option for medical devices over cheaper plastic ones?" " How have newer metals enhanced machined component offerings for medical device designers?" and " What impact have coatings made on the additional value machined components can offer?"
To Mold, or Extrude, That is the Question
October 17, 2012 4:39 pm | by Robert D. Schwenker and Aaron Updegrove | Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Corp. | CommentsSelecting the right tubing may not be as straightforward as some medical device designers may think. This article will explore molded and extruded silicone tubing and address two areas that product development engineers should consider when seeking a solution—material differences and manufacturing advantages and limitations.
Designing a More Patient-Centric Battery Holder
October 17, 2012 4:23 pm | by Tom Blaha | Memory Protection Devices, Inc. | CommentsPowering portable devices is a critical element in healthcare today as more and more medical technologies are used in the home or on the patient directly. As such, patients are responsible for the power supply (i.e., batteries) more often than a healthcare professional. As such, a new innovation in battery holder technology makes replacing them easier, which is most important for the very young and elderly.
The Role of Coatings in Orthopedic Instrumentation
October 17, 2012 4:07 pm | by Don Garcia | Boyd Coatings Research, Inc. | CommentsHigh-performance coatings are being used across just about every device sector and on a variety of devices. Coatings can make components and the devices themselves stronger, safer, and more cost effective. This article looks at PVDF coatings and the array of benefits they offer when used on orthopedic tools.
