White Papers
The Lead
3D PRINTING WITH FDM: How it Works
May 22, 2013 | by Stratasys
A 3D printer is a machine that creates objects from plastic or other materials using an additive manufacturing process. Additive manufacturing produces objects in a succession of layers from the bottom, up. This is the opposite of traditional subtractive manufacturing processes, which produce objects by cutting material away from a block to create the shape desired.
3D PRINTERS VS. 3D PRODUCTION SYSTEMS: 10 Distinguishing Factors to Help Select a System
March 27, 2013 4:59 pm | by Stratasys Inc.
This paper addresses the capabilities, roles and positioning of systems geared for professional...
White Paper: Embedded Computing Solution for Capturing and Displaying High-Resolution Images in Medical Surgery Environments
November 27, 2012 10:24 am | by Portwell
To process the imaging and video feeds during surgical operations, long lifecycle computers are...
Clear SOUP and COTS Software for Medical Device Development
July 11, 2012 12:19 pm | by QNX
In many industries, manufacturers have reduced development times by using COTS (commercial-off-...
3D Printing with FDM: How it Works
December 12, 2012 1:52 pm | by Stratasys Inc.A 3D printer is a machine that creates objects from plastic or other materials using an additive manufacturing process. Additive manufacturing produces objects in a succession of layers from the bottom, up. This is the opposite of traditional subtractive manufacturing processes.
Choosing an RTOS for Remote-care Medical Devices
July 11, 2012 12:15 pm | by QNXThree trends are driving a dramatic increase in the number and diversity of remote-care medical devices entering the market: aging populations in industrialized countries, pressures to reduce health care costs, and a new focus on primary and secondary care.
Persistent Publish/Subscribe Messaging in Medical Devices
July 11, 2012 12:12 pm | by QNXMany medical devices must bring together a disparate array of hardware and software components, as well as support a sophisticated, multi-layered Human-Machine Interface (HMI).
Choosing an RTOS for Remote-care Medical Devices
November 1, 2011 11:41 am | by QNXDownload this whitepaper on choosing an embedded OS for medical devices where reliability, recovery and safety are critical differentiators. It provides a high-level list of requirements that device manufacturers can use to evaluate OSs considerations.
Whitepaper: Challenges and opportunities for the medical device industry: Meeting the new IEC 62304 standard
October 26, 2011 12:25 pm | by IBMThis paper explains what IEC 62304 compliance means for manufacturers. It also describes the larger context of systems and software engineering best practices at work in many of today’s most successful companies.
Case Study: Diagnostic Grifols, “Improved collaboration accelerates our development time.”
October 26, 2011 12:22 pm | by IBMDiagnostic Grifols, a leading medical device provider, is implementing a solution to enhance collaboration throughout its product development cycle, sees significant results in time to market and regulation compliance.
Solution Brief: “IBM Rational systems and software solution for medical device manufacturers”
October 26, 2011 12:19 pm | by IBMThe challenges faced by medical device manufacturers can no longer be solved by examining problems individually. IBM Rational solution for medical devices provides a comprehensive and holistic answer that makes it easier to comply with regulatory mandates, while at the same time improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the product development team.
Making Sense of the Major Changes in RoHS for Medical Devices and Monitoring & Control Equipment
August 31, 2011 10:54 am | by TUV RheinlandSignificant changes are happening to European environmental regulations. While there has been a great deal of discussion and debate over the past few years, in June 2011 the European Union issued Directive 2011 65 EU on the restriction of the
Turning the 3rd Edition of IEC60601-1 to Your Advantage
August 17, 2011 9:33 am | by TUV RheinlandThere are substantial changes in the 3rd Edition of IEC 60601-1, and understanding all aspects of these changes is the key to turning this new standard into a benefit for you as a medical device manufacturer. This paper is designed to explain the philosophy behind the the major changes in the standard, explain how these changes will affect device manufacturers, and share information as to which resources are available to help make the smoothest possible transition to the new Standard.
Wireless Medical Revolution: Endless Possibilities
August 1, 2011 7:27 am | by Sunil HattangadyWireless 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 (GE, Google, HP, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, Philips, Qualcomm, Siemens, TI, Walmart, etc,) 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. medicare now reimburses for telehealth under particular circumstances and some private payers in certain geographies are also paying providers to use telehealth. This whitepaper provides a review of the state-of-the-art in tele-machine and wireless medical devices including the key drivers, important developments in end-to-end health and wellness solutions, the opportunity ahead of us, and key challenges for wireless medical device deployments.
Integrating Quality by Design (QbD) in Medical Device Manufacturing - Concept, Benefits, and Challenges
August 1, 2011 7:15 am | by Igor VeljanovskiThe medical devices industry, as well as the pharmaceutical industry, is slowly but indisputably accepting the concept of Quality by Design into its design and development product phases, and is introducing the statistical tools and methods of the concept into its process verification and validation phases as well. The Quality by Design concept or approach has found its implementation in the medical devices life cycle management, under the guidance of risk regulations by the International Conference on Harmonization. Since the importance of successful implementation of this concept is ever more evident in industry, this white paper will therefore discuss the concept and its possible implementation in the medical devices industry, along with the benefits and concerns expressed by the manufacturers.
Effect of Gamma Sterilization on Select TPE Materials
August 1, 2011 7:06 am | by RTP CompanyIt is widely known and published that modern sterilization techniques used in the healthcare industry can have a detrimental effect on thermoplastic polymers. In particular, gamma sterilization, which is the most common ionization method, can cause substantial changes to occur in polymeric materials. Polymer chain scission and cross linking can both occur, altering the physical properties and appearance of materials and ultimately affecting the functionality of a device utilizing these materials. RTP Company’s TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomer) Division has initiated a series of projects to measure the effect different sterilization methods have on RTP Company’s standard TPE products used in medical devices. This paper discusses the effect gamma sterilization has on these various TPE compounds produced by RTP Company for the healthcare industry.
Pipe Thread Types and Designations(2)
August 1, 2011 7:01 am | by Colder Products CompanyDifferent 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. A discussion and recommendations are provided to create an awareness of different types of threads and how they are used.
Regulatory Asset Management: Harmonizing Calibration, Maintenance, & Validation Systems
August 1, 2011 6:57 am | by Blue Mountain Quality ResourcesCalibration, maintenance, and validation activity, despite operating within the same department in some organizations, have generally been managed separately, each with their own procedures and their own computerized management systems. Since even calibration and maintenance professionals tend to access records differently and track different types of information, these separate and unconnected systems made sense. However with new regulatory pressures and in search of greater productivity and efficiency, leaders in the life science industries have explored and experimented with different ways to harmonize these systems. Until recently, the available options have required significant compromises to be made. This paper discusses the evolution of the driving forces and the available solutions for harmonizing calibration, maintenance and validation, concluding with the latest technologies designed to eliminate the need for the departmental compromises previously required to achieve harmonization.
Apatite Fiber Absorbable Composites for Load-Bearing Applications in Bone Fixation
August 1, 2011 6:53 am | by James R. Olson, Ph.DTeleflex Medical OEM, in conjunction with researchers at the University of Connecticut, has developed a tough, high-modulus composite with potential for bone fixation. Fabricated from a unidirectional, fibrous PLLA/apatite, the composite exhibits excellent mechanical properties which correlate to those of natural bone while featuring excellent surface bioactivity. The entire composite is bioabsorbable whereby a device made from the composite will gradually be replaced by natural bone tissue at the implantation site. Early studies indicate integration can occur firmly and permanently with the surrounding tissue. In addition, such prepared composites may have the potential to be used to control the release of growth factors to enhance bone cell stimulation.
