Articles
Driving the Backlighting for Patient Monitors: Which Technology is Best?
March 17, 2009 11:14 am | by Tom Novitsky and Bill Abbott | CommentsCCFLs powered by DC-AC inverters have been dominant in medical patient monitors, but LED BLUs are on the horizon and gaining ground in terms of usage. The benefits of each differ across many areas, including functionality, reliability, and cost.
Optimizing the Processing of Thermoplastic Polyurethanes (TPUs) for Maximum Results
March 17, 2009 11:14 am | by Cynthia Edgar, CQE | CommentsOvercoming typical TPU processing problems involving moisture and temperature can be a challenge when fabricating components or extruding tubing for medical devices. This article offers several tips to address these common concerns.
Creating Software Users Will Love
March 17, 2009 11:14 am | by Meaghan Beirne, Monique Gatner, and Dr. Melanie Rodney | CommentsA solid design can go a long way in the success of a product. Similarly, a solidly designed software solution that provides a true user-friendly experience can also lead to a very successful product.
Safety Critical Coding Standards Reduce Medical Device Risks
March 17, 2009 11:14 am | by Paul Anderson | CommentsSoftware is making its way into a variety of medical devices to help offer patients a higher degree of effectiveness from these devices.
Expanding the Capabilities of Connectors
March 17, 2009 11:14 am | by Jaime R. Erickson | Disposable Instrument Co., Inc., Colder Products Company | CommentsMany systems require a variety of different capabilities, such as air, fluid, and electronics, to be connected to a tool. As such, device manufacturers must ensure that each element is kept completely separate from each other. This can be especially challenging at the connection point.
Design Talk: Silicone Tubing—Benefits and Properties Overview
March 17, 2009 11:14 am | by Rob Wilkinson | Helix Medical | CommentsBy Rob Wilkinson Here's the bottom line up front-platinum-cured silicone is the exceptional choice for medical, pharmaceutical, and biotech tubing applications, as well as medical devices that require extended contact with tissues and bodily fluids.
Getting to the Heart of Interconnects
March 17, 2009 11:14 am | by Bernard Cole | CommentsThe Project: Connect the various subsystems of a left ventricular assist system with a solution that offers reliability and durability. The Solution: Utilize cable assemblies that enable easy, but not accidental, disconnects, and provide a comfortable feel for patients.
Inspecting Metrology Options
March 17, 2009 11:12 am | by Gary Hobart | CommentsEnsuring that the quality and accuracy of a finished product meets its CAD design is of paramount importance for the medical device manufacturing industry. However, how to facilitate that is not nearly as clear.
Acrylic Sheet Helps Put the Best Face on Flat-Panel Display
January 14, 2009 9:26 am | by Antoinette Spages | CommentsThe Project: Eliminate the issues that exist with the uncoated acrylic over the LCD flat-panel display on a cosmetic system. The Solution: Use an abrasion-resistant optical-grade acrylic sheet that functions like glass, but is significantly lighter and more durable.
Taking a PEEK at Material Options for Orthopedics
January 14, 2009 9:26 am | by Amy Kinbrum | CommentsThe orthopedics market is dominated by metal materials used for implants. While these options offer an excellent level of healthcare for patients requiring such devices, they certainly are not the absolute best answer to replicate natural bone.
Scanning to Achieve the Human Touch
January 14, 2009 9:26 am | by Kristine Spangard | CommentsThe Project: Fabricate artificial finger prostheses with lifelike accuracy for partial finger amputees. The Solution: Use a laser scanning system that enables a 3D digital CAD model to be created so that custom solutions may be designed. By Kristine Spangard Kristine Spangard, M.S.
Healthcare at Home (Part II)
January 14, 2009 9:26 am | Analog Devices, Texas Instruments Inc. | CommentsA major trend in medicine is to move treatments and monitoring out of the hospital or even the doctor's office and either attach them to the patient or enable it to be done in the home. Of course, this relies on medical device technology in order to make it possible.
Healthcare at Home (Part I)
January 14, 2009 9:25 am | Hypertronics | CommentsA major trend in medicine is to move treatments and monitoring out of the hospital or even the doctor's office and either attach them to the patient or enable it to be done in the home. Of course, this relies on medical device technology in order to make it possible.
Barrier Structure Material Options Made Crystal Clear
January 14, 2009 9:25 am | by Dhuanne Dodrill | Rollprint Packaging Products, Inc. | CommentsThe use of a clear barrier packaging may often be the first choice of a device manufacturer for their product, but performance concerns may cause them to reconsider that option.
Adding Value and Functionality to the Precision Machining Process
January 14, 2009 9:25 am | by Patrick Laughter | CommentsIn their efforts to optimize processes in order to more efficiently move product out to the market, medical device manufacturers need to be consistently reviewing their SOP to see if enhancements can be made. Automation is one option that some OEMs have examined.
