Medical Design Technology articles from September 2006

Medical Design Technology archives from September 2006

Dryers.(Innovations)
September 1, 2006... A complete line of high-performance, four-bed dryers (HP4-X) are designed specifically for the medical products industry. Because cleanliness is critical in this field, extra precautions have been taken to eliminate contamination from rust or...

Camera system.(Innovations)
September 1, 2006... Providing real-time control-room monitoring of technical processing operations at a range of up to 1,000 meters, the Lumiglas Visulex Ex camera system saves on-site staff and travel time while enhancing quality control/assurance programs in...

Machine vision illuminator.(Innovations)
September 1, 2006... The Fiber-Lite DC950 machine vision fiber optic illuminator for machine vision integrators is a 150-watt quartz halogen regulated illuminator. It features DC regulated output, fast lamp response, and a 0-5 VDC remote intensity control interface...

Telecentric measuring lenses.(Innovations)
September 1, 2006... TML-HP (high power) telecentric measuring lenses correct perspective errors that yield variations in magnification through the depth of field. Therefore, these lenses are ideal for both on-line and off-line production environments that require...

Coordinate Measuring Machine.(Innovations)
September 1, 2006... The Contura G2 coordinate measuring machine provides a particularly affordable means of entering the world of scanning technology for production and progress inspection of single processing stages. This measuring machine with the Vast XXT...

Postmarket surveillance is sound investment for industry--Niedelman.(Regulatory Report)(Interview)
September 1, 2006... The Gray Sheet recently spoke with former FDA Deputy Associate Commissioner for Regulatory Operations. Steven Niedelman, who left the agency at the end of June to become executive VP of Quintiles Transnational Corp. Niedelman spent more...

CMS proposes deep payment cut for PET scans in draft outpatient rule.(Regulatory Report)
September 1, 2006... Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging procedures face steep payment decreases in the outpatient setting under a CMS proposal. The planned reductions--detailed in the outpatient prospective payment system proposed rule--range from 10%...

MIT, FDA team up on postmarket surveillance.(Noted ...)
September 1, 2006... Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Center for Biomedical Innovation will work with FDA to explore real-time device and drug safety monitoring, Scott Gottlieb, FDA deputy commissioner for medical & scientific affairs, announced Aug. 17. MIT...

Von Eschenbach attacked from both sides.(Noted ...)
September 1, 2006... Conservatives, including Concerned Women for America and the National Pro-Life Action Center, call for the withdrawal of FDA Acting Commissioner Andrew yon Eschenbach's nomination to head the agency in reaction to FDA signals that it might be...

Heparin catheter flush finds a home at CDRH.(Noted ...)
September 1, 2006... Effective Oct. 16, the device center will assume primary responsibility for the regulation of heparin lock-flush solution products, some of which had been under the Purview of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Researcn. The transfer of the...

An interview with Michael Ferrara, Director, Epson Robots; automation offers solutions to medical device manufacturers looking to save time and costs in the production and assembly of their products. This month's View From The Top interview looks at this alternative to overseas outsourcing and discovers what's changed that makes automation an attractive option for this industry.(View From The Top)(Interview)
September 1, 2006... Automation is traditionally thought of as an option for high volume manufacturing and assembly tasks where quality is not of a critical nature. With this in mind, many medical device manufacturers have not considered it to fulfill their...

Choosing a vent membrane for a medical device: hydrophobic polymeric membranes are widely used in medical devices to sterilize gases which pass through them or to provide sterile barriers between the atmosphere and device interiors. This article examines the important selection criteria that medical device designers must consider when incorporating a membrane into a new product.(Emphasis On Filters)
September 1, 2006... The choice of membrane depends on several factors, including the conditions of the intended application, degree of sterility assurance required, chemical compatibility, biocompatibility, and the degree of hydrophobicity and/or oleophobicity....

Anti-backlash nut.(Notables: Motors & Motion Control)
September 1, 2006... Offering a simple yet effective solution, a series of anti-backlash nuts are designed to optimize system stiffness without sacrificing life or increasing drag torque. These nuts can be used in conjunction with the company's existing line of...

Variable frequency drives.(Notables: Motors & Motion Control)
September 1, 2006... The VLT AutomationDrive variable frequency drives are available in the 40 to 60 HP power range. This power extension covers IP21 and IP55 rated enclosures in the voltage range 380 to 480/500 V. Additionally the VLT AutomationDrive is available...

Piezo motor.(Notables: Motors & Motion Control)
September 1, 2006... The Elliptecmotor is a low-cost piezo motor that weights 1.2 g. With a few microns step size, motion speeds from several microns per minute up to several hundred millimeters per second are achievable. The direct driving forces of 0.3 to 0.5 N...

Compact drive.(Notables: Motors & Motion Control)
September 1, 2006... This line of compact drives feature controllers, sensors, and motors in an aluminum casing, that, when combined with the company's existing products, produce robust, space-saving, and high power density drive solutions. The MCD EPOS is a highly...

Brushless DC motor.(Notables: Motors & Motion Control)
September 1, 2006... With an external motor-diameter of only 20 mm and a length of 57 mm, the power to volume ratio of the Series 2057... B is excellent. The motor uses the "System Faulhaber" skewed winding in combination with a rotor made of neodymium rare-earth...

Forecast series presents: critical outsourcing questions: medical device manufacturers' interest in outsourcing is growing and with it come many misconceptions and questions. This article, based on interviews with experts in the field, will examine the reasons companies choose to outsource, the functions they can outsource, the pitfalls they may encounter along the way, and the steps they can take to make it work.(Cover story)
September 1, 2006... Medical device manufacturers are taking a closer look at outsourcing and the benefits it can provide--not only in direct costs but in organizational flexibility and product quality. But not all functions or products are equally suitable for...

FDA's Nanotechnology Task Force.(Industry Watch)
September 1, 2006... Acting FDA Commissioner Andrew C. von Eschenbach, M.D. has announced the formation of an internal FDA Nanotechnology Task Force. The new task force is charged with determining regulatory approaches that encourage the continued development of...

FDA seeking comments on identifier system.(Industry Watch)
September 1, 2006... The FDA is seeking information on how the use of a unique identifier system for medical devices may reduce medical errors, facilitate device recalls, and improve medical device adverse event reporting. The agency is seeking public comment for...

Fastest growing worldwide CAM vendor.(Industry Watch)
September 1, 2006... SolidCAM--the gold-certified integrated CAM-engine for SolidWorks--and CIMdata--a leading worldwide strategic consultancy company--have announced that SolidCAM was named as the most rapidly growing worldwide CAM software vendor for the 3rd...

Fibrin sealant agreement.(Industry Watch)
September 1, 2006... ThermoGenesis Corp. has entered into an agreement with Biomet Biologics to provide devices to produce fibrin sealant, a gel surgeons use to stop bleeding. Surgeons will produce fibrin sealant from a patient's own blood in about 30 minutes, thus...

Calendar of events.(Industry Watch)(Calendar)
September 1, 2006... Click on the "Calendar" icon at www.mdtmag.com for information about any of the following events. September 21 Medical Electronics: Integrating Technologies-Merging the Microelectronic, Bioscience and Medical Industries, Arizona State...

The art and science of rapid prototyping: speed is the name of the game in getting a product to market before the competition. One technique medical device manufacturers are employing to help achieve faster design cycles for their products is rapid prototyping. This article looks at this time saving alternative for prototype part fabrication.(Emphasis On Rapid Prototyping)
September 1, 2006... If you're a medical device design engineer and not yet using rapid prototyping, chances are you will be. Rapid prototyping is perhaps one of the most effective and versatile design tools an R&D engineer can use in the creation of a new device...

Clean room actuator.(New Products)
September 1, 2006... For reduced dust generation, the Type CKR actuator incorporates a unique sealing mechanism that achieves cleanliness of Class 4 under the ISO 14644-1: 1999, which is equivalent to Class 10 under Fed. Std. 209E (internal suction, under down flow...

Blender.(New Products)
September 1, 2006... While the MicroPlus blender accommodates processing machine throughputs of 100 to 350 pounds per hour instead of the 100-pound maximum of the widely used MicroBlender, it provides the same user-friendly features for reducing downtime during...

Strain relief clamps.(New Products)
September 1, 2006... Strain relief clamps are made from heavy galvanized steel and clamp onto a cable or cord inside the equipment to protect the cord from damage caused by pulling or stretching. This metal strain relief clamp will extend cord life and reinforce...

Long distance switch.(New Products)
September 1, 2006... This long distance infrared switch has a reflective distance of more than one inch, depending on circuitry. Designated the OPB732 series, the reflective switch configuration includes an infrared LED and phototransistor, and uses an opaque...

Shielded patient cables.(New Products)
September 1, 2006... Many medical environments and applications require shielded patient cables with low signal loss and ruggedized construction. Unitized, shielded cable is molded with the cable, yoke, and leadwires as a single molded unit, preventing accidental...

Liquid diaphragm pump.(New Products)
September 1, 2006... The LTC liquid diaphragm pump achieves optimal performance by incorporating several innovative features to eliminate leaking and enhance dry self-priming. The Fluid-Blok advanced sealing technology eliminates leaks. An advanced flow path and...

Solenoid valves.(New Products)
September 1, 2006... The HEA/HEB series solenoid valves are thin, compact, and can be configured in many different ways for design flexibility to meet a variety of application requirements, including high pressure operation. The valves are 10 mm wide, deliver a...

Motion controller.(New Products)
September 1, 2006... The M3000 motion controller is a highly integrated, mixed signal system-on-a-chip combining the major building blocks necessary to control and position multi-phase step motors while also working as a high-speed general purpose microcontroller...

Linear actuator/controller.(New Products)
September 1, 2006... This sub-system consists of a direct drive ServoTube actuator, driven by a high power density Micro Xenus controller. Actuator and controller create an out-of-the-box drop-in replacement for ball screw and pneumatic positioners, bringing...

Internal power supply.(New Products)
September 1, 2006... The GECA40 is in an industry standard footprint for easy drop-in replacement, offering high reliability. It is a 40 watt internal power supply with commercial wide-range AC input 90-264 VAC. There are nine models available: single output in 5V,...

UV curing system.(New Products)
September 1, 2006... The CoolCureXL RC-80I curing system employs pulsed UV light to provide instant on/off control, fast cycle times, deep penetration, and cool opera-tion; unlike continuous wave mercury lamp systems. Ideal for heat-sensitive applications, this...

Polyester film tape.(New Products)
September 1, 2006... This double-coated polyester film tape--3175M--is designed to bond to most foam and gasket materials. A "one size fits all" fabricator tape, it consists of rubber-based adhesive on the exposed side that bonds to a wide variety of polyurethane...

Washable wireless keyboard.(New Products)
September 1, 2006... Featuring SpillSeal patented technology to safeguard against the risk of infection and cross-contamination, this IP66 and NEMA4X certified washable wireless computer keyboard allows for complete up-and-down finger motion that mirrors natural...

Gauthier Biomedical, a leading provider of orthopedic and spinal instrumentation, has introduced a new brochure featuring the company's capabilities, manufacturing and prototyping services, and ISO certification.(Literature)
September 1, 2006... Gauthier Biomedical, a leading provider of orthopedic and spinal instrumentation, has introduced a new brochure featuring the company's capabilities, manufacturing and prototyping services, and ISO certification. The company's extensive...

MFD Pneumatics offers this 20-page pneumatic products catalog, focusing on product lines specific to the OEM's low cost, quality component requirements.(Literature)
September 1, 2006... MFD Pneumatics offers this 20-page pneumatic products catalog, focusing on product lines specific to the OEM's low cost, quality component requirements. Available in print or online, the catalog provides in depth engineering data and...

The medical device market in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) is growing fast--the region as a whole is expected to grow annually by 6%, reaching $5.8 billion in 2010.(Literature)
September 1, 2006... The medical device market in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) is growing fast--the region as a whole is expected to grow annually by 6%, reaching $5.8 billion in 2010. The rapid growth is fueled by EU accession. Harmonization of medical device...

Baumer Electric offers a one-page, easy-to-use Sensor Selector Guide designed to allow end users to quickly choose the appropriate sensor technology for their specific applications.(Online Tools)
September 1, 2006... Baumer Electric offers a one-page, easy-to-use Sensor Selector Guide designed to allow end users to quickly choose the appropriate sensor technology for their specific applications. The guide focuses on inductive, capacitive, photoelectric,...

Novachem, a leading provider of safe and effective purging solutions for plastics processors, offers a free industry white paper that tackles head-on various purging issues and dilemmas facing today's plastics processing managers.(Online Tools)
September 1, 2006... Novachem, a leading provider of safe and effective purging solutions for plastics processors, offers a free industry white paper that tackles head-on various purging issues and dilemmas facing today's plastics processing managers. The 12-page...

Plastics replace metal in digital display cart.(Design Notes)
September 1, 2006... Ergotron, a leading digital display mount manufacturer, used long fiber and wear compounds from RTP Company to improve the efficiency of its new LX Large Display Cart. RTP Company's advanced plastic technologies enhanced the cart's function by...