Blogs

Tablets to Kill CoWs?

June 4, 2012 12:00 am | by Laird Technologies | Comments

For several years, computers on wheels (CoWs) have been the de facto mobile computing device in many hospitals. CoWs place computing power at the point of care, which facilitates adoption of healthcare information technology. By combining mobility, usability, and performance, CoWs increase efficiency and reduce errors with tasks such as entering patient data, gaining access to patients’ electronic medical records, reviewing lab results or radiology reports, and checking drug compatibility.

Wi-Fi Security and HIPAA

June 4, 2012 12:00 am | by Laird Technologies | Comments

Connecting medical devices to a hospital’s Wi-Fi network improves workflow on both the clinical and financial path. With networked devices, a hospital delivers better care to more patients while billing those patients, and their insurance companies, quickly and accurately.

Embedded Vision In Medicine: Let Smartphone Apps Inspire Your Design Decisions

May 14, 2012 5:37 am | by Brian Dipert | Comments

Embedded vision refers to the ability of equipment to extract meaning from (and appropriately respond to) visual inputs. It's quickly becoming the hottest trend in electronics technology, fueled by the emergence of increasingly capable high-performance, energy-efficient, and affordable processors, image sensors, memories, and other semiconductor building blocks, along with optics, illumination LEDs, and other subsystems. Advancements in these areas, along with software and algorithms, have enabled engineers to implement robust image analysis and understanding capabilities in a system that fits in the palm of your hand, versus the traditional approach of using high-end workstations.

Safety in Question

May 7, 2012 11:55 am | by Sean Fenske | Comments

A quick web search of “medical device safety” instantly tells the story of how much controversy there is currently swirling around regarding the testing of medical devices and the general level of safety provided in their operation. There’s no shortage of coverage, from industrial silicone found in breast implants to the hacking vulnerabilities of wireless devices to government officials, consumer groups, and the general public calling for stronger oversight.

Extending the Life of Electronics

April 26, 2012 11:04 am | by Jeff Spence | Comments

Of power related events that damage electronic equipment, approximately 0.5% are caused by voltage surges and spikes, and a small percentage of failures actually results from power outages themselves. These daily disturbances include a complex array of voltage sags, brown outs, over voltages, power outages and voltage surges and spikes. No two disturbances are the same, and the increased complexity of these disturbances has proven to be catastrophic to the lifespan and reliability of medical equipment.

Driving Next-Generation Medical Devices

April 17, 2012 12:07 pm | by Alix Paultre | Comments

Creating medical electronics that incorporate the latest technology is a challenging proposal today, as the application spaces served extend far beyond the simple diagnostic and electromechanical needs of the past. For example, older technologies gain new life with improved implementation, new technologies move from the fringe to the mainstream...

Medical Visualization Technologies

April 17, 2012 12:00 am | by Dr. Euan Morrison | Comments

Over the past few decades, we have seen significant advances in medical visualization technologies with the emergence and widespread use of sophisticated techniques such as magnetic resonant imaging (MRI) and X-ray computed tomography (CT scanning).

TOPICS:

Radiology

Making Medical Devices Out of Toys

April 4, 2012 7:29 am | by Sean Fenske | Comments

I was just poking around at the CNN site and found a fantastic video/news story about Jose Gomez-Marquez who is working with toys and re-engineering them to be used as affordable medical devices in developing nations.

Federal Government Exploring Increased Price Transparency in Medical Devices Industry

March 16, 2012 12:33 pm | by Phil Holladay | Comments

We often hear from customers that one of their concerns is increased price transparency. It certainly is troubling when a company’s pricing isn’t completely defensible: The lower the defensibility, the greater the fear of price transparency. Most transparency risks are local, though in some cases, it can be regional. As a result, the transparency damage can be minimized. For widespread price transparency to occur, there has to be a catalyst. For medical device manufacturers, the impact of exposing indefensible pricing at a national level can lead to a devastating impact on ASPs and margins.

Why is Well Considered HMI System Design Important for Medical Device, Diagnostic, and Treatment Equipment?

March 16, 2012 11:51 am | by John J. Pannone | Comments

Human machine interface (HMI) systems provide the controlsby which a user operates a machine, system, or process. Rising healthcarecosts, the prevalence of chronic disease, public expectations for increasedcare, and the aging “boomer” population are all driving the market foraffordable and accessible medical devices. As more responsibility for care isshifted from physician to patient, and the home medical diagnostic marketgrows, the key trends are miniaturization and portability.

Key Partnerships Save Time and Money

February 2, 2012 9:47 am | by Jay Tourigny | Comments

These days, savvy medical device engineers, designers, and manufacturers are partnering with suppliers to accelerate new products to market. Whether it’s by providing advanced materials, upgraded solutions, cleaning and regulatory training, or assisting with process validation, a well-chosen supplier assists their customer every step of the way.

Microsemi’s Acquisition of Zarlink: A Prescription for Growth and Innovation

January 11, 2012 9:53 am | by Stephen J. Swift | Comments

There is growing need in a wide variety of medical markets to solve difficult system challenges where power, performance, efficiency, security, and reliability are critically important. Microsemi’s recent acquisition of Zarlink brings key capabilities to a portfolio that already include some of the industry’s broadest ranges of products and technologies for implantable devices, diagnostic equipment, portable health monitoring systems, and other medical systems.

How Taking a Lean Approach to Quality Improves Profitability for Medical Device Manufacturing

January 4, 2012 10:51 am | by Rick Gallisa | Comments

As a medical device manufacturer, it is no secret that complex regulations continue to be increasingly challenging to meet. But beyond regulations, product quality is paramount for patient safety and brand protection. The other side of the equation is minimizing costs in R&D, manufacturing, the supply chain, and compliance.

Could Harmless Virus Be the Cancer Cure?

November 29, 2011 7:17 am | by Sean Fenske | Comments

Was just reading an article about a lab at Hershey Medical Center that has identified a virus that has killed cancer cells in laboratory tests and human breast cancer tumors in infected mice.