Articles

Large Diameter, Low Speed Fans Work Year-Round for Manufacturing Spaces

July 17, 2012 2:04 pm | by Erin Holaday Ziegler | Comments

Many manufacturers face challenges with energy costs, employee comfort and product integrity year-round. Large diameter, low speed fans go to work to overcome these challenges in industrial facilities around the world. As a means of effective air circulation, big fans reduce condensation, improve overall air quality, disperse localized fumes and keep workers comfortable with smooth, non-turbulent airflow.

Multi-Purpose Apps? Some Applications Have “Curative” Potential

July 17, 2012 1:54 pm | by Messe Dusseldorf North America | Medica 2012/Messe Dusseldorf North America | Comments

Mini-applications (apps) for smart phones and tablet computers are booming. What originally appeared to be nothing more than gimmicks could now be considered to be “coming of age”. Apps may not only revolutionize the private health market, some of them also have the potential to influence how we deal with medicine at home, in hospitals and in medical practices.

Micromachining of Metals Cheaper and Faster with New Laser Technology

July 11, 2012 1:54 pm | by Dr. Geoff Shannon | Miyachi Unitek Corp. | Comments

It is a fact of life that components are getting smaller and smaller, especially in the medical, automotive, and electronics markets. New micromachining technology, including advanced laser markers with superior beam quality, is being used to achieve results similar to traditional machining technologies, but cheaper, faster, and more flexibly. The fiber marker technology can be two to three times less expensive than standard technology.

Advances and Evolution of Medical Visualization Techniques – 3D endoscopy

July 11, 2012 1:38 pm | by Dr. Euan Morrison | Comments

Historically, surgical technology has been characterized as relatively conservative with low levels of innovation. With a number of ground-breaking developments, no longer is this the case. One particularly interesting area that has advanced recently is the field of 3D endoscopy, where visualization technology is transforming the tools available to surgeons and the effectiveness of their procedures. This, together with some of the other visualization technologies being developed, puts us on the brink of a technology revolution within the surgical device arena.

TOPICS:

Surgery

Medical Device Firm Creates Complex Production Parts

July 11, 2012 9:59 am | by Acist | Stratasys Inc. | Comments

Acist (Advanced Contrast Imaging System Technology) is a medical-device company that specializes in developing contrast injection systems in the fields of cardiology and radiology. Acist’s devices infuse dye into the vascular system, letting physicians visualize anatomies.

Rapid Growth of Additive Manufacturing Disrupts Traditional Manufacturing Process Companies

July 11, 2012 9:39 am | by David Burns | Comments

Additive manufacturing is exploding on the manufacturing scene as leading companies are transitioning from “analog” to “digital” manufacturing in order to recognize cost saving and design benefits not possible through traditional manufacturing , said Dave Burns, President and COO of ExOne.

Bones made of titanium: CNC technology produces medical implants with the highest precision

July 11, 2012 9:19 am | by Siemens | Siemens Energy & Automation | Comments

Substantial legal requirements result in more complex functional specifications for the implant manufacturers: From the design, including the materials, through production, the complete process chain must be documented and validated. CNC-controlled high-tech machines support the prosthetics manufacturers and permit high-quality products to be manufactured, despite being subjected to the continuing high cost pressures.

3D Printing Proves Useful for Quicker Reconstructive Surgery

July 11, 2012 8:55 am | by The Biomedical Research Institute Staff | Comments

The Biomedical Research Institute BIOMED located at Hasselt University in Belgium, in conjunction with Orbis Centre in Sittard-Geleen, Xilloc Medical BV located at Maastricht University and Cam bioceramics BV in Leiden have managed to successfully remove the lower jaw of an elderly woman and replace it with one created with 3D printing. While artificial parts built via 3D printing are nothing new in the world of surgery and reconstructive surgery in particular, nothing as sophisticated as a lower jaw had ever been successfully implanted into an elderly patient through such a process.

Demystifying Ball Spline Specs

July 11, 2012 8:50 am | by Matt Proske | Comments

Why isn’t identifying the right ball spline for an application straightforward and easy? Demystify the semantic differences in the literature and it will, at least, be easier. We’ll do this by thinking of ball splines in terms of how their various configurations affect their functions and then compare their functionality to application requirements.

Operations Fuel Innovation

July 10, 2012 4:56 pm | by Kevin J. Duggan | Comments

As the frontier of medicine continues to push new limits, device manufacturers strive to not only keep pace, but to lead the pack with new healthcare solutions. Companies know that perpetual innovation is key to staying ahead of the competition and continually leverage their time and resources to optimize product development to ensure their success and sustainability in this dynamic market.

Extending IEC 60601-1 Type Testing to Production

July 10, 2012 2:54 pm | by Jeff Lind | Compliance West USA | Comments

Manufacturing tests can help OEMs to meet cost, quality, and delivery objectives. Rather than limiting certain tests to the design or initial stages of the product development process, conducting them throughout production can help to ensure a smooth approval process. Additionally, performance benchmarks that are obtained from the testing procedures can aid in monitoring product reliability.

5 Factors to Identifying the Best Leak Tester for You

July 10, 2012 2:46 pm | by Joe Pustka | Uson, L.P. | Comments

The laws of physics that determine the best match leak test methods have not changed. What has changed is the technology available—both the leak testers and the automation for full or semi-automated test and assembly machinery—that make one or another leak tester the best match technology. This article reviews five factors that need to be considered to ensure the best choice is made.

60601 3rd Edition Transition Solution

July 10, 2012 2:26 pm | by UL Staff | Underwriters Laboratories Inc. | Comments

While many companies are concerned with the impact the 3rd edition of IEC 60601-1 will have on their medical device products, what they first need to determine is which products will actually be impacted. Preparing products for the new standard does not need to rely heavily on valuable resources. This article looks at the considerations prior to transitioning a product for the new standard.

Roundtable Q&A: Materials

July 10, 2012 2:09 pm | Materion Corporation, Momentive Performance Materials Inc., Polyzen, Inc. | Comments

This month, insights on materials topics—desirable benefits, development focus, and influence on design—are shared. Question 1: Beyond the physical characteristics, what benefits are medical device manufacturers most interested in when selecting a material?