Articles
Lessons Learned at the Intersection of Electronics and Medical Molding
June 12, 2012 9:33 am | by Philip Katen | CommentsAs the cross-pollination of the molded electronic and medical components industries continues, the products in each industry are becoming much smaller and much more complex. Toolmakers, molders, suppliers and the OEMs of medical components that incorporate electronics must all have a firm understanding of the ideas, processes, expectations and standards of both industries in a collaborative effort to produce the highest quality component-level parts at the lowest viable cost.
Connecticut Company Uses Self-Directed Work Teams to Improve On-time Delivery and Quality
June 12, 2012 8:24 am | by Gaston Pelletier | Connecticut Spring & Stamping | CommentsWith the help of a committed management team, a zealous company wide SDWT champion, dedicated team leaders/cheerleaders, and most importantly, participation of everyone on the shop floor, Farmington, CT-based Connecticut Spring & Stamping (CSS), is well on its way to meeting its ambitious goals, just two years after launching the initiative.
Making the Link from Requirements to Verification
June 12, 2012 7:58 am | by Mark Pitchford | CommentsRequirements traceability is seen to yield a more predictable outcome at deployment, and responds to an increased demand for sound monitoring and management techniques during development, particularly between project phases. Appropriate automation can ensure that requirements are shown to be in compliance across the entire software development cycle, and demonstrates how a combination of tools and best practices can ease the implementation and maintenance of software development for medical devices.
Broncus Invests In Its Future: Innovative Medical Company Turns to the Cloud to Simplify the Document-Intensive Due Diligence Process
June 12, 2012 7:06 am | by Dave Fleming | CommentsFor Broncus Chief Operating Officer Gary Kaplan, pursuing funding requires the management of a large number of documents which often need to be customized for each investor involved in due diligence. For example, the recent request from just one potential investor included 120 items, many of which were unique to that company’s needs. With requests coming in constantly, Kaplan found himself overwhelmed by the sheer volume of documents he needed to keep track of on a daily basis.
New Ballbar Technology Just What the Doctor Ordered for Medical Machine Tools
June 12, 2012 6:45 am | by Clive Warren | CommentsBallbar analysis is a proven method for determining machine tool capability, and is the most practical, convenient and comprehensive tool for assessing the contouring accuracy of CNC machines. Ballbars have been commonplace at precision machining operations for more than 20 years, but a Midwest-based medical device manufacturer, is showing how the latest wireless ballbar technology makes a big difference in doing fast capability checks on small machines, as well as establishing a benchmark on machines' volumetric accuracy.
Designing Safe Endoscope and Medical Imaging Applications with High-Speed Digital Isolators
June 12, 2012 6:26 am | by Zhang Bin and Harold Tisbe | CommentsIn medical imaging devices, large quantities of video imaging data need to be transferred from image sensor to image processor while maintaining high levels of electrical isolation so the sensor won’t shock the patient. The high-speed digital data transmission channels between the sensor and image processor require high-levels of isolation while transferring data at up to 100Mbaud for real-time displays.
Seeing Past the Clouds: PLM and What’s What?
June 12, 2012 5:29 am | by Eric Marks | CommentsThere is a lot of talk about cloud computing today, and its exponentially growing presence among enterprise technology, particularly Product Lifecycle Management (PLM). While PLM “in the cloud” is available today, its adoption can be slow. Customers are having a difficult time deciphering when, how and even whether to use PLM in a cloud. With the type of sensitive information that is managed in PLM, there has been some apprehension about moving to the cloud. Adoption is slowly gaining momentum as more customers see the available options and advantages.
Reed Relays a Critical Part of High Voltage Charging Circuit in Portable Defibrillators
June 12, 2012 5:10 am | by John Beigel | Meder Electronic Inc. | CommentsPortable automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are showing up regularly in places where large groups of people congregate, like airports and sports stadiums. This huge increase in the number of portable AEDs has not been driven by governmental regulation, but by the overwhelming evidence that they save lives.
Five Steps to Validating the Cleaning Process of Medical Devices
June 6, 2012 10:03 am | by Patrick Kenny | Microtest Laboratories Inc | CommentsMany modern medical devices are composed of high-tech materials such as metallic alloys or synthetic plastics. Their production may require the use of various agents to aid in the manufacturing process or produce contaminants that require later removal. These devices must be clean to ensure patient safety, and to ensure the device will continue to function as intended. Listed here is a five step process to help keep contaminants out and ensure cleanliness.
Quantifying Design for Manufacturability
June 6, 2012 8:56 am | by John Rokus | Micro Power Electronics, Inc. | CommentsIt was the scientist Lord Kelvin who said, "When you can measure what you are speaking about, and express it in numbers, you know something about it; but when you cannot measure it, when you cannot express it in numbers, your knowledge is of a meager and unsatisfactory kind.” So, if you are among those in the medical device industry who are struggling to keep DFM alive and well within your organization, or you plan to kick off a DFx initiative, this article is for you.
Creating & Managing Requirements for Medical Devices
June 6, 2012 7:23 am | by Martin Bakal | CommentsRising product complexity, intense market pressures and compliance to industry standards present major challenges for medical device developers. In order to stay competitive, organizations must implement tight coordination between hardware and software engineers to optimize product quality. This is especially true when controlling costs and meeting tight time lines. IBM Rational offers a solution.
New Medical Laptop Stand Offers Patients Ability to Compute in Bed
June 6, 2012 7:07 am | by Bruce Roberts | CommentsThere’s good news available to patients who are in a hospital bed. Horizontal Computing System (HCS) has combined a standard hospital table with a patented laptop stand. This stand is unique in that it allows an ergonomically correct posture for the patient. The stand is adjustable to set desired angle. An adjustable locking plate secures 98% of laptops on the market. It offers laptop users an option they’ve never had before–comfort.
Roundtable Q & A: Molding
June 6, 2012 5:02 am | by John Schmitz, Shu Peng, and Dave Pool | CommentsQuestion 1: How are innovative molding techniques enhancing the design capabilities of medical device manufacturers?
Perspectives on First Step in Design, Part II
June 5, 2012 12:54 pm | CommentsOnce a new medical device idea is formulated, what is the critical first step to help ensure its success through to market launch?
Perspectives on First Step in Design, Part I
June 5, 2012 12:34 pm | CommentsOnce a new medical device idea is formulated, what is the critical first step to help ensure its success through to market launch?
