Managing Risk in Outsourced Product Development and Manufacturing By: Syncro Corp.
In today’s litigious society, products used by consumers can become the source of product liability lawsuits. Outsourcing product development and manufacturing can create additional risk because the electronics manufacturing services (EMS) provider’s practices may come under scrutiny in this type of lawsuit. What checks and balances should be built into this relationship? What elements should be built into the outsourced product development and manufacturing to help minimize this element of risk? This paper addresses these questions.
Wireless Medical Devices - Endless Possibilities By: Emblaze Consulting
Wireless technologies are bringing about dramatic improvements in the quality of healthcare by allowing patients unprecedented mobility while providing healthcare professionals with easy and real-time access to patient data. Awareness of telehealth and wireless medical applications is increasing with more high profile companies entering the space, along with prominent media coverage and a rise in the number of conferences highlighting the technology. A recent national study by Philips showed compelling and tangible benefits with telehealth. Private and public payers are beginning to buy into the advantages of telehealth. Medicare now reimburses for telehealth under particular circumstances and some private payers in certain geographies are also paying providers to use telehealth.
Nano-Air-Flow Based Differential Pressure Sensor for Medical Respiration Measurement Applications By: Microbridge Technologies
Microbridge Technologies has developed a thermo-anemometer micro-air-flow sensor principle, having very high flow-impedance, that allows accurate sensing of low differential pressures, over a wide dynamic range. The technology enables substantial price-reductions with performance and ease-of-use improvements over present solutions for lung ventilation, spirometers and sleep-apnea apparatus such as CPAP.
Breathe at Ease By: dSPACE Inc.
Normally, when we want to breathe in, we just do it. But with artificial ventilation, how does the machine know how much air the patient needs, and when? Mechanical intervention can be stressful for the patient, and to minimize the discomfort, the machine must respond to the patient’s breath initiation as early as possible.
How to Select the Right Power Protection for Biomedical and Laboratory Instrumentation By: Falcon Electric Inc
Today's biomedical industry requires understanding of the pure power requirements for sensitive equipment and applications. Unfortunately, many professionals are still in the dark. Falcon Electric's whitepaper illustrates the importance of choosing the right power protection solution for the biomedical environment, explores the various options available to protect medical equipment, discusses what today's professionals can do to choose the right solution and provides a real-world example.
Is All CompactFlash Really Created Equal? By: White Electronic Designs Corp.
This whitepaper discusses the specific requirements of CompactFlash (CF) used in portable medical devices as opposed to those manufactured for consumer applications. It presents a case study in which performance, wear leveling, error correction and data protection are examined. It also discusses the advantages of the first medical series CF cards.
Lithium-Ion Advantages for Medical Products By: MicroPower
This white paper looks at the options available
to medical device manufacturers in Li-ion battery
technologies. Li-ion is a unique chemistry, requiring a
different design approach. The technology presents
nuances outside the everyday experience of many
engineers. The goal here is to alert portable medical
equipment designers to the different design and
use constraints of Li-ion batteries, while examining
the chemistry tradeoffs between various battery
choices and the need for direction in best-practice
implementation (including the pitfalls) of designing
with Li-ion.
Selecting Cell Chemistries for your Portable Battery Systems By: MicroPower
Three cell chemistries currently dominate the growing
portable application market: Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH),
Lithium Ion (Li-Ion), and Lithium Polymer (Li-polymer).
While all of these chemistries can address the high power
demands of portable applications—handheld scanners,
medical life-saving equipment, and consumer electronic
devices—each has unique characteristics that make it
appropriate, or inappropriate, for a particular portable
device.
How to Assess Cell Suppliers for Your Portable Battery System By: MicroPower
From field data collection, medical equipment, and test
and measurement tools, an increasing array of devices are
going portable, and battery systems must keep pace with
the power demands of these small form-factor devices. The
resulting pressure on product designers to match the right
battery system to the right power-hungry device is a key
concern in today’s market.
Innovate with Embedded RFID By: SkyeTek
RFID technology has grown beyond the mere tracking of inventory items and now has a far more pervasive presence where readers are embedded into products, giving them an intelligence that was unimaginable only a few years ago. In short, embedded RFID allows previously unanimated products to interact with the world. Embedded RFID applications impart intelligence into automobiles, consumer goods, medical equipment, mobile devices, store shelves and numerous other types of products.
The Future of Medical Imaging By: Texas Instruments In a technology enabled future, a bathroom mirror with a retinal scanner behind the glass collects vital signs and looks for clues to retinopathy, and a toilet with an embedded processor analyzes urine to identify kidney infections or the progression of chronic conditions such as diabetes. All of these future technologies enable health care to become a routine part of daily life.
Future technologies will be developed from today’s advancements in medical imaging. Advancements such as the migration of X-rays from film to digital files, the evolution of MRIs to fast and highly, detailed quality images and the portability of ultrasound are improving patient care through advances in DSP technology. This article will discuss how DSPs provide the processing power necessary to achieve these advancements.
See the Difference: DSPs in Medical Imaging By: Texas Instruments
Over the past 15 years, there have been many advances in medical imaging technology, from ultrasound, to Digital X-Ray and magnetic-resonance imaging (MRI). New applications are also being developed, including hyperspectral imaging and 3D/4D scans which can produce clinically relevant images.
Historically imaging devices have relied on FPGAs or ASICs to perform the processing functions. However, new computationally intensive tasks now require high performance, flexible digital signal processors to achieve the clear, accurate results required by physicians and patients alike. Many real-time issues are being addressed through the digital signal processors (DSPs) found in many next-generation portable devices which bring healthcare to patients around the globe and offer high-performance, lower power and small system integration. This article will discuss the new requirements of medical imaging devices and how digital signal processors will be the key to enabling OEMs to improve current designs and envision new applications to deliver faster, more accurate results at any time or location.
Clean Wiping Efficiency Test Method [Surface Wipe Drying]
By: Kimberly-Clark Professional
In cleanroom environments, it’s crucial to minimize surface contamination. Since contaminating particles can get trapped in liquid that stays on surfaces, surface wipe drying performance is important. This white paper describes a testing method to determine the efficiency in the wiping ability of several products and those results are then shared.
Advances in Stepper Motors: The Disc Magnet Technology
By: Portescap, a Danaher Motion Company
The fundamental advantage of a stepper motor, speed and position control without feedback, is becoming more attractive to industries sensitive to cost, or to overcome the reliability problems linked to the mechanical commutation system of DC motors. This presentation provides a comprehensive overview of the technology.
Motion Control Requirements in Medical Imaging Systems By: Bosch Rexroth Corporation
Learn how medical device manufacturers are turning to motion control platforms that help control costs, streamline production on a global basis, and provide systems capable of delivering the most sophisticated 2-D and 3-D clinical images possible.
Linear Motors & Linear Actuators for Advanced Automation By: Copley Controls Corp.
Driven by semiconductor industry requirements, linear motor manufacturers have steadily increased precision, reduced prices, developed multiple motor types, and simplified integration into automation equipment. Modern linear motors provide 0g peak acceleration and 10-meters/second velocity, deliver unmatched dynamic agility, minimize maintenance, and multiply uptime. They have moved beyond specialized semiconductor industry usage to provide advanced performance in hosts of applications. In fact, with ten times the speed and ten times the operating life of ballscrews, linear direct drive technology is often the only solution for modern productivity-enhancing automation.
Encoders for Direct Drives in the Medical Industry By: HEIDENHAIN Corporation
Medical processes such as medical imaging increasingly require more precise and dependable machines in order to satisfy growing demands on quality, throughput, and manufacturing cost reduction. Direct drives (linear and torque motors) are gradually becoming more important in such dynamic applications with one or more motion axes.
Comparing Miniature DC Motors and Gearboxes from Multiple Vendors By: MicroMo Electronics, Inc.
Comparing Miniature motors from several vendors can be confusing. Each vendor has their own rating systems. Trying to compare published data from multiple vendors is akin to having a conversation with the tower of Babel. Nobody speak the same language. Here is a helpful guide to rating DC Motors.
Single-Axis Actuators . . . When to Build, When to Buy By: Misumi USA, Inc.
A variety of linear motion devices are available today for performing the function of
single-axis movement, whether it be for an assembly operation, testing, packaging or simple
motion control. This white paper will seek to define the various types and define the options to be
considered when deciding whether to build or buy a single-axis actuator, also known as a linear
guide, slide or table in the parlance of particular industries.
Embedded RFID: Transforming the Management of Medical Devices & Supplies By: Skyetek
This paper identifies key challenges facing manufacturers of medical devices and supplies, and explains how embedded RFID technology is being leveraged to overcome those challenges in a way that enhances safety and reliability, increases revenue and brand equity, and reduces operating costs.
Protecting Against Counterfeits, Generics and Substitutes with RFID By: SkyeTek Product authentication is the process of verifying or guaranteeing that a product or its consumable is either genuine or permitted to access a particular application. Product authentication protects against counterfeits, substitutes, and generics (CSG) and also provides the manufacturer with additional control over the customer experience ensuring that it meets or exceeds expectations. In addition to being a proven, cost-effective technology, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) presents the most robust solution for product authentication in the marketplace today.
Assembly & Test White Paper By: InterTech Development Company
This white paper reviews the general principles of test-centric assembly for manufacturers and machine builders more accustomed to streamlining assembly operations where testing is absent or plays a minimal part.
Timely Maintenance Key to Extending Life of Flexible Conveyor System By: Rexroth Bosch Group
Taking the time to perform several routine maintenance procedures on assembly conveyors significantly adds to the efficiency and longevity of the system. This whitepaper discusses the importance of proper conveyor maintenance, and tips for keeping conveyors running smoothly for a variety of applications, including medical device assembly.
Improving Medical Device Coating Processes with Low Volume Low Pressure (LVLP) Technology By:
EFD, Inc. Medical devices are often coated with primers, lubricants, drugs or other fluids, but as they become ever smaller and more complex it becomes increasingly difficult for manufacturers to meet stringent tolerances and cosmetic requirements. LVLP technology offers an accurate, cost-effective coating method that will increase yields, reduce production costs, and improve process control.
For Medical Equipment OEMs: World Class Peristaltic Pump Design, Engineering & Manufacturing Solutions By: Thermo Scientific
This white paper provides insights into the company’s custom pump solution capabilities, from design through manufacture, and highlights several real-world stories where they aided a medical device manufacturer with their successful product.
Far From Being Toys, Today’s Tiny Pressure and Vacuum Pumps Demand Serious Engineering Study and Careful Application Planning By: Thomas Products Division, Gardner Denver, Inc.
Some are barely as large as your fingertip, but packed inside modern miniature vacuum and pressure pumps are surprising performance capabilities that can be unlocked through proper system design. The keys are recognizing, first, that the smaller the pump the more precise a designer needs to be and, second, that involving the pump manufacturer early on can help avoid substantial re-design or reverse-engineering later.
The Effect of Gamma Sterilization on Select TPE Materials By: RTP Company
It is well known and published that modern sterilization techniques can have a detrimental effect on polymers. In particular, gamma sterilization, which is the most common ionization method, can cause substantial changes in polymeric materials. This paper discusses the effect of gamma sterilization on various TPE compounds produced by RTP for the medical market.
Materials Information in Medical Device Design By: Granta
Materials information impacts many aspects medical device design and manufacturing. Best practice in accessing, managing, and using such information saves money, cuts time-to-market, and avoids risk. This paper examines the need for such best practice, the requirements that it imposes, how these requirements are met, and the likely returns.
Selection of Materials for Medical Applications By: RTP Company
Applications in the healthcare industry, medical devices in particular, have some demanding requirements for thermoplastic materials that are unique to this arena. While polymers have been used in the healthcare industry for decades, it has only been in the last several years that designers have begun to discover the benefits of using specialty compounds in medical applications. Unique technologies relating to anti-static, wear resistant, and elastomeric compounds that have been useful in other industries are just now finding their way into medical devices. This paper presents an overview of the material selection process from the viewpoint of a specialty compounder with specific emphasis on the unique requirements for medical applications.
Software Automation Trends in the Medical Device Industry By: MasterControl Inc.
Medical device companies can reduce development costs and accelerate time to market by automating cross-departmental information sharing systems. This white paper discusses business content and process applications and product content and process applications, and explains how companies are utilizing these systems.
Moving from Paper to Electronic Records: Hardwiring Compliance into Product Development By: PTC
This white paper describes how compliance can be “hardwired” into the product development processes with a validated system that automatically captures required records for regulatory purposes. In addition, how such a system improves performance of several critical business processes including regulatory compliance, quality systems management, detailed design, change management, and requirements management will be covered. Lastly, an overview of PTC’s Product Development System, which helps leading medical device manufacturers to automate compliance and gain a competitive advantage will be provided.
Regulatory Asset Management: Harmonizing Calibration, Maintenance & Validation Systems By: Blue Mountain Quality Resources With new regulatory pressures and in search of greater productivity and efficiency, leaders in the life science industries have explored harmonizing calibration, maintenance and validation management systems. Until recently, the available options required significant compromises to productivity. This paper discusses the evolution of the driving forces and different approaches to harmonization.
Growth Through Valuation and Acquisition of Intellectual Property in the
Medical Device Industry
By: Scott Lloyd, Nerac Analyst
Companies value their intellectual property portfolios on the strength
of their claims and their ability to translate patents into products
that will make money over time. This paper provides general guidelines
for deriving intellectual property valuations for medical device
companies that are considering a merger or acquisition.
Medical Device Manufacturers Can Leverage ERP/CRM Software to Facilitate FDA Compliance By: Syspro
Medical device manufacturers have long embraced ERP and CRM software systems. However, they have primarily employed them to achieve operational efficiencies as well as to further sales and marketing objectives. Today’s sophisticated ERP and CRM systems support a broad set of activities that help manage and coordinate business functions. However, many medical device manufacturers have also discovered that their choice of ERP and CRM softward can play a significant role in their abilities to comply with strict FDA regulations.
Pipe Thread Types and Designations By: Colder Products
Different types of screw threads have evolved for fastening, and hydraulic systems. Of special concern are plastic-to-metal, taper/parallel threaded joints in hydraulic circuits. The article provides information and recommendations to create an awareness of different types of threads and how they are used.
A New Class of Medical Products: Smart Connections with RFID Ensure Patient Safety By: Colder Products
Countless companies worldwide use radio frequency identification (RFID) to improve internal efficiencies, adding to their value proposition and increasing product or process safety. The technology is especially useful to medical device manufacturers, who must ensure the safety of their products and production processes to protect patients. The implementation of RFID delivers benefits to help these organizations avoid harmful and expensive mistakes, reduce liability and improve process management.
