Articles
Laser Seam Sealing of Electronic and Opto-electronic Packages: A welder’s tips for getting beyond 99 percent yield
July 2, 2012 9:39 am | by Dr. Geoff Shannon | Miyachi Unitek Corp. | CommentsSeam sealing is the process that permanently bonds the package and lid of a device, providing a barrier for the internal components for the device’s operational lifetime. This is typically the last critical step in the package manufacturing process, so it is among the most important. The completed product performs a vital function and has a high dollar value, so creating a barrier to contamination ingress is essential. The stakes are high – optoelectronic packages for fiber optic cables transmitting signals sometimes in the middle of the ocean must last for a very long time since replacement is difficult and costly. Similarly, aerospace RF/microwave packages perform essential functions, making it imperative to prevent external environmental conditions from penetrating the package, even in extremely aggressive environments.
Applying Tech: Cardiovascular
June 27, 2012 5:38 pm | CommentsHow are you influencing cardiovascular devices?
RTP Company's Glow-in-the-Dark Masterbatch Helps Medics Save Lives
June 27, 2012 8:46 am | by Tim Duncan | Rtp Company | CommentsWhen the inventors of the Rip Shears Ripper received feedback from medics in the field that their life-saving product would be even more effective if it glowed in the dark, they and co-developer ICON Injection Molding, sought assistance from custom...
Buy it or Build it? The Great Start-up Dilemma
June 20, 2012 11:23 am | by Pat Pickerell | Peridot Corp. Precision Manufacturing | CommentsWhether venture capital or angel-funded, medical device start-up companies are often brought to life by doctors with big ideas who have found a quicker or more effective way to treat a particular pathology. Many of these doctors are entrepreneurs at heart and are most happy when immersed in the adrenaline rush of a new start-up. But no matter how novel the device, the passion and zeal behind that drives these new medical innovations must be channeled into a process that will make the idea a commercial success.
Use of Project Status Reports for Patent Application Deadlines
June 20, 2012 5:01 am | by Keith Haddaway | CommentsClients new to intellectual property management and patenting frequently comment that the patent application process is “puzzling” especially with respect to timing and the amount and type of information that should be included. Particularly in smaller or newly formed organizations, patent professionals are often asked to address issues...
SaniUV: Antimicrobial Coating
June 19, 2012 1:00 pm | by Huu-Tuan Nguyen | CommentsSubsidiary of Surfaces Synergie Holding, Ionitec has developed a new antimicrobial and self-cleaning coating (TiO2) called SaniUV. This coating is deposited by PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) and the process parameters for obtaining such efficiency are the subject of a patent.
Quickparts Provides PediaVision with Single Source Solutions To Develop Breakthrough Vision Screening Device
June 19, 2012 12:29 pm | by Patrick Hunter | Quickparts | CommentsPediaVision® is a medical device company providing comprehensive vision assessment technology to adults and children as young as 6 months old. Their latest innovation, Spot, is a patent-pending technology that can assess a child’s vision quickly and objectively, eliminating the subjective analysis that results from many of today's vision screening tools.
Texas Tech and TI partner on research to develop fall-prevention system
June 19, 2012 12:14 pm | by Allen Bowling | Texas Instruments Inc. | CommentsAbout one-third of individuals over 65 fall at least once each year – and that increases to two-thirds for those who have already had a prior fall (Report from the Annals of Internal Medicine). Injuries from a fall are often severe and can lead to long-term disability and even premature death. With an aging baby-boom generation, this is of increasing significance to the health of this population and to greatly rising health-care costs.
Machine Vision Improves Surgical Tubing Quality
June 19, 2012 11:39 am | by Jerry Fireman | CommentsSurgical tubing is extruded at rates on the order of 600 feet per minute. It’s critical to detect inclusions and other flaws that can cause blockages in the tubing. A laser inspection system was used in the past but the tubing manufacturer was concerned that it was missing many inclusions. The manufacturer evaluated the Integro Anaconda tube inspection system which is based on Cognex machine vision technology and provides very sensitive flaw detection at production speeds. When the machine vision system was first installed on a trial basis, it generated alarms every few minutes.
Virtual mold & process development for medical parts
June 13, 2012 5:00 am | by Christof Heisser and Matt Proske | CommentsSimulation has established itself as an invaluable tool for design engineers in developing new parts and deciding what materials to use in metal casting or plastic injection molding manufacturing processes serving the medical device industry. In the past, such simulation tools were used by analysis groups and the operators of such tools were specialists who would “setup and run” simulations. Today, however, leading design and manufacturing engineers need to be able to provide answers to questions regarding all areas of the manufacturing process, requiring communication between all members of the product development and production team, as well as management and procurement. Conventional design simulation tools, however, do not cover the simulation of the manufacturing process.
Autoclavable Thermoplastic Rods Are an Industry First
June 12, 2012 12:47 pm | by ClikTech Inc | Solvay Advanced Polymers, L.L.C. | CommentsClikTech Inc., a leading manufacturer of dental sensor and x-ray film holders, has launched the industry’s first use of thermoplastics in multiple rod dental x-ray holder systems. The company’s new Litening RodsTM, made of Radel® polyphenylsulfone (PPSU) resin from Solvay Specialty Polymers USA, LLC, replace metal rods which are labor intensive and more costly. The new product made of Radel PPSU is light, autoclavable, reusable, and less costly.
SensorMed's Surgical Safety Device Uses Solvay's Polysulfone for High Heat Resistance and Light Dispersion Cable
June 12, 2012 12:36 pm | by SensorMed | Solvay Advanced Polymers, L.L.C. | CommentsSensorMed has introduced a disposable version of its CableCap™ laparoscopic safety device, which is designed to eliminate the risk of fire caused by high-intensity surgical light cables in operating rooms. The CableCap device is injection molded of Udel® polysulfone (PSU) resin from Solvay Specialty Polymers USA, LLC, for high heat resistance, strength, and excellent light dispersion.
Resealable closure for infusion bags
June 12, 2012 12:23 pm | by KRAIBURG TPE | CommentsEven at an altitude of 4000 meters above sea level, quality made in Germany is in great demand: The Bolivian plastics specialist Matriplast is probably the KRAIBURG TPE customers nearest to the sky. Together with the manufacturer of the THERMOLAST M compound, the company has recently brought a development project for an innovative new solution to completion. Matriplast produces closures for infusion bags that are made from the special medical series THERMOLAST® M.
Planning a Non-American Exit
June 12, 2012 12:06 pm | by Dr. D’vorah Graeser | CommentsFor nearly all medical device companies, there will come a time when it is in the leadership’s best interest to consider their exit strategy. But while many founders and start-up executives may limit their search within the United States, more and more smart executives are looking overseas for their exit from the business. This can sometimes be an intimidating process for those not familiar with international regulations but it’s a consideration more medical device companies should look into.
SLA and Low-Volume Injection Molding and Parts
June 12, 2012 11:47 am | by Patrick Hunter | 3D Systems | CommentsSuppServe is a boutique package design firm located in northern California that specializes in single-serve dispensing solutions. “Inventors, innovators, marketers and sellers of all things single-serve”, SuppServe is dedicated to simplifying the delivery methods of a variety of common products that are sold in bulk and require single-serve dosing by the customer.
