Medical Design articles from December 2006

Medical Design archives from December 2006

What to do when the AQL falls short.(MEDICAL Edge)
December 1, 2006... Imagine a baseball game where after several innings the home team decides two strikes constitute an out for the visiting team. A brawl would ensue. But a similar rule change besets contract manufacturers because they are held to two different...

Top 10 medical innovations for 2007.(INDUSTRY News)
December 1, 2006... The Cleveland Clinic's first Top 10 Medical Innovations list highlights technologies likely to have a big impact on healthcare in 2007. The list of up-and-coming devices and therapies was selected by a panel of Clinic physicians and scientists...

Software improves: company compliance, and more.(INDUSTRY News)
December 1, 2006... After recognizing that its home-grown data systems were inefficient, insecure, and non-compliant with 21 CFR Part 11, imaging-equipment manufacturer ACIST Medical Systems decided to upgrade to TrackWise from Sparta Systems, Holmdel, N.J.,...

Help, I've fallen and.... You already know?
December 1, 2006... Wireless developer Cambridge Consultants Inc, Boston, (cambridgeconsultants.com) demonstrated how a ZigBee network can provide home monitoring for the elderly and vulnerable. This emerging wireless application can reduce the load on healthcare...

Regulations & FDA.(INDUSTRY News)
December 1, 2006... FDA boosts its postmarket program for devices The FDA is strengthening the way it monitors the safety of medical devices after they reach the marketplace. "Many of today's medical devices are smaller and more complex than ever," says Scott...

Software shows: how to fill small molds with difficult material.(INDUSTRY News)
December 1, 2006... Filling small molds that include three inserts with a hard-to-flow material can be trouble for molders such as CG TEC in France. To help with the problem, the company acquired Moldflow software from Moldflow Corp., Framingham, Mass....

Rechargeable batteries could hold over twice the power.(INDUSTRY News)
December 1, 2006... A material and paper-thin electrodes might lead to a 250% increase in power from zinc-air batteries, says developer QuantumSphere Inc, Santa Ana, Calif., (qsinano.com). Primary zinc-air batteries already offer three to six times the energy of...

PDM lets material maker respond in minutes, not days.
December 1, 2006... Material and filter manufacturer W.L. Gore & Assoc., Newark, Del., (gore.com) now responds to customer requests from almost anywhere in the world in 15 minutes thanks to a product-data-management system from Synergis Technologies, Quakertown,...

Expansion doubles Minnetronix size.(NEWS FROM Contract Manufacturers)
December 1, 2006... Minnetronix has completed a 23,600-[ft.sup.2] addition to its facility in St. Paul, Minn. The contract manufacturer focuses 100% on software and electronics-based medical devices with design, engineering, and manufacturing services. The...

Company adds a ninth cleanroom.(NEWS FROM Contract Manufacturers)
December 1, 2006... Atek Medical Mfg. says it has added its ninth class-10,000 clean-room to its facility in Grand Rapids, Mich. "The new room has a complete linear flow to support our lean-manufacturing initiatives," says vice president Dave Mabie. The company,...

U.K. company brings laser micro machining to U.S.(NEWS FROM Contract Manufacturers)
December 1, 2006... U.K.-based OpTek Systems is expanding operations in North America by establishing sales and support in New England and with additional facilities in early 2007 for laser micromachining and fiber-optic processing. The company designs and...

More electrical-power products RoHS compliant.(NEWS FROM Contract Manufacturers)
December 1, 2006... Pulizzi Engineering (pulizzi.com) complies to the RoHS Directive for restricting hazardous substances in electronic equipment. Companies shipping banned substances in their products after July 1, 2006 can face fines or prosecution by the EU....

Manufacturing RFQs can go worldwide.(NEWS FROM Contract Manufacturers)
December 1, 2006... An online marketplace for manufacturers has acquired Sourcing-Parts.com SA, an on-demand sourcing site and marketplace for European manufacturers. This transaction combines two large online marketplaces into a single global version through...

A few pointers for picking a best stamping die.(MEDICAL MANUFACTURING UPDATE)
December 1, 2006... It makes sense to stamp parts instead of machine them when production volumes are high and machining the parts would require multiple secondary operations. Good candidates for stamping include parts such as ball-bearing retainers, grid cups for...

A laser for deep engraving.
December 1, 2006... A new entry-level engraving laser performs "deep engraving," a process that removes material deeper and faster than other engraving methods. The Foba G5 from Virtek Vision Int. Inc., Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, (virtek.ca), handles 3D deep...

How to EDM 5-[micro] holes.
December 1, 2006... Demand is high to bring into mass production next-generation products such as super-efficient fuel injectors, ultrahigh-dpi inkjet printers, and miniature satellites. So SmalTec Int., Naperville, Ill., (smaltec.com), provides micro EDMs that...

Nanometer resolution from a wiggling motor.(MOTION CONTROL NEWS)
December 1, 2006... At 1.5 x 1.5 x 6 mm, the latest piezoelectric Squiggle motor is half the size of other micro-motors, yet boasts of 10 times the precision and power. The SQL-1.5 linear motor, from New Scale Technologies Inc, Victor, N.Y. (newscaletech.com) is...

Chromatography knocks 75% off cycles.(MOTION CONTROL NEWS)
December 1, 2006... Recent liquid-chromatography equipment can scan and analyze samples in 15 sec versus the 60 sec needed by the previous design thanks to a compact transfer mechanism that uses modern lead screws and low-friction nuts. The X-Y arm in Acquity, the...

Adhesive-free closure for lab and pharma containers.(PACKAGING WRAP-UP)
December 1, 2006... A family of closures (caps) for sensitive laboratory and pharmaceutical containers uses no adhesives, a principal contamination source. Pawling Corp., Pawling, N.Y. (cepure.com) offers all widely used closure styles with adhesive-free bonded-in...

Solid that's 95% air makes great insulator.(PACKAGING WRAP-UP)
December 1, 2006... Aerogels are highly porous solids formed from a gel in which the liquid is replaced with a gas. An Aerogel's capacity to insulate is unmatched, says Aspen Aerogel Inc., North-borough, Mass., (www.aspenaerogels.com) because it is over 95% air,...

Cool curing casts just the right amount of UV.(PACKAGING WRAP-UP)
December 1, 2006... The CoolCureXL RC-801 Curing System from Xenon Corp., Wilmington, Mass., (xenoncorp.com) uses pulsed UV light for instant on/off control, fast cycle times, deep penetration, and cool operation. This differs from continuously operating mercury...

RP materials aren't just for prototypes anymore.(MEDICAL MATERIALS NEWS)
December 1, 2006... Not long ago, rapid prototypers had one, maybe two materials to work with. Today there are dozens, each with different capabilities. A few are durable enough to make finished consumer and industrial goods. RP firm RedEye RPM, Minneapolis,...

Mercury-free polyurethanes work at high temperatures.(MEDICAL MATERIALS NEWS)
December 1, 2006... Three mercury-free polyurethanes combine high-impact strength with the ability to withstand temperatures to 346[degrees]F. The material, from Innovative Polymers Inc., St. Johns, Mich. (innovative-polymers.com) are intended for casting...

Extrusion changes durometer on the fly.(TODAY'S TUBING TECHNOLOGY)
December 1, 2006... Some silicone-tubing applications require the durometer to vary along the length yet remain unitary in construction. Engineers at Specialty Silicone Fabricators Inc., Paso Robles, Calif., have figured out how to change durometer "on the fly"...

Etching creates bondable fluoropolymer tubing.(TODAY'S TUBING TECHNOLOGY)
December 1, 2006... Traditionally, the lubricity of a fluoropolymer tube surface makes it unable to bond to other materials. But when PTFE, FEP, and PFA tubing is etched by Parker TexLoc, Fort Worth, Tex., the surface can be adhered. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]...

How FPGAs streamline medical systems.(ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS)
December 1, 2006... Two recent trends in medical-imaging systems have created new cost and performance design issues for OEMs. First, a demand for high resolutions has led to the fusion of diagnostic modes and algorithm advances. The second trend is toward...

Patching leaky hearts.(INNOVATIONS)
December 1, 2006... Some children are born with a hole in the wall separating the right and left sides of their heart. When these septal defects are in the upper chambers (the left and right atrium) oxygen-rich blood leaks from the left side to the right where it...

How to select a dc micromotor: a few rules and equations can help zero in on the right dc micromotor.
December 1, 2006... Micromotors are smaller fractional-hp designs frequently found in medical equipment. Selecting one for a particular application can be a rather involved process and should be done in consultation with application engineers from the motor...

How robots improve medical manufacturing: robots offer new twists, bends, and rolls for automated assemblies.
December 1, 2006... Robotic automation has long helped aerospace, automotive, and electronics OEMs cut their manufacturing costs. Yet, by one estimate, only about 5% of the U.S. medical manufacturing industry is exploiting the technology. Phil Baratti, manager...

EOAT: it's more than an end effector.
December 1, 2006... "End effector" is a generic name for end-of-arm-tooling (EOAT) that robots use to move or assemble parts, says Dan Peretz, director automation product management, De-Sta-Co Inc., Madison Heights, Mich., (destaco.com). "We are standardizing...

Biodefense: the best defense after a biological attack may be a good filter.
December 1, 2006... The bad guys have already flown planes into buildings so almost any scenario for spreading pathogens or poisoning water supplies cannot be considered too extreme. Of course, how terrorists might use biological weapons is anyone's guess. ...

Crystal-clear coating covers components: Parylene coating goes on as a gas and leaves behind a thin film that is biocompatible, electrically insulated, and free of gaps.
December 1, 2006... Devices or materials that come into direct contact with human tissues during medical procedures must be biocompatible and resistant to corrosive body fluids, electrolytes, proteins, enzymes, and lipids. Devices such as catheters, cardiac...

Miniature ball bearings run smooth and quiet.(Product Spotlight Bearings & Lubes)
December 1, 2006... Miniature ball bearings have bore diameters as small as 3mm and thin cross-section profiles for compact designs. They operate at high speeds with low friction and minimal heat generation. The bearings, available in steel or stainless, work well...

Plastic bearings work under high loads.(Product Spotlight Bearings & Lubes)
December 1, 2006... Iglide Q is an economical, maintenance free alternative to bronze, metal-backed, and custom injection-molded bearings. The bearings can withstand loads of 14,500 psi and are well-suited for oscillating applications and can be used where both...

Lubrication improves smoothness and dynamic life.(Product Spotlight Bearings & Lubes)
December 1, 2006... Originally developed for miniature ball screws, MSG greases provide significant improvements in both smoothness and dynamic life of antifriction systems. The greases are constructed from a compound of super-filtered synthetic lubricants. The...

Ceramic hybrid bearings last longer than steel versions.(Product Spotlight Bearings & Lubes)
December 1, 2006... Ceramic bearings are made of a material similar to the heat absorbing, super resilient tiles on the Space Shuttle. Ceramic works well in applications that need higher RPMs, reduction in overall weight, or extremely harsh environments where high...

Pivot bearing rotates with low hysteresis.(Product Spotlight Bearings & Lubes)
December 1, 2006... The C-Flex pivot bearing is a cylindrical, limited-rotation bearing, with a high relative radial and axial stiffness. They are available in low, medium, or high torsional spring rates with maximum deflection angles of [+ or -]30[degrees]....

Filter-regulator lubricators.(DESIGN Solutions)
December 1, 2006... Maximatic FRLs are available in sizes from #10-32 to 1-in. NPT with interchangeability. Their modular design and interconnecting brackets provide flexibility to facilitate simple field installations and modifications. The line comes with...

Heavy-duty casters.(DESIGN Solutions)
December 1, 2006... Heavy-duty PlasTech swivel casters hold loads to 220 lbs. in three twin-wheel models, each with a 4-in. diameter. The casters are made of high-performance thermoplastics and have a labyrinth assembly to protect the axis and bearing against...

This micromotor is sterilizable.(DESIGN Solutions)
December 1, 2006... Series 2057B has an external 20-mm motor diameter and a 57-mm length. The motor uses the System Faulhaber skewed winding in combination with a rotor made of Neodymium rare-earth magnets for cog-free motion. The brushless dc motor can generate a...

Medical sealing tapes.(DESIGN Solutions)
December 1, 2006... The line of 3M Medical Microplate Sealing Tapes targets adhesive applications in the healthcare industry including general assay, cell culture, and high-throughput screening. The tapes, which come in a variety of acetate films, synthetic...

Compact compression test stand.(DESIGN Solutions)
December 1, 2006... The ES05 compression test stand produces up to 30 lb (150 N) compression force for tests such as switch-contact activation, small spring, and peel. A spring-loaded lever allows for repeatable testing with up to 1.5-in. displacement. ...

Collets for boring, milling, reaming, tapping, and grinding.(DESIGN Solutions)
December 1, 2006... The ER Collet System targets a variety of machining tasks including boring, milling, reaming, tapping, and grinding. ER 8 to ER 50 series collets come in standard, ultra-precision styles, and metric sizes. The collets clamp tool shanks ranging...

Position transducer reaches 85-in.(DESIGN Solutions)
December 1, 2006... The Series M general-capability position transducer has a long displacement range, multiple mounting options, and size efficiency for OEM and high-volume applications. The line also gives users choices for electrical outputs, three mounting...

Round inserts for machining hip joints.(DESIGN Solutions)
December 1, 2006... New round cutting inserts are intended for machining titanium and cobalt-chromium hip joints. The inserts optimize roughing because they impart a strong cutting edge and resist excessive notch wear. In addition, they provide excellent chip...

FEA allows working with assemblies.(DESIGN Solutions)
December 1, 2006... Comsol Multiphysics 3.3 supports parts and assemblies. So rather than import an assembly as a single unit, the FEA program recognizes each component with possibly different materials. Parts and their physics can be coupled to allow for...

Custom silicone manufacturing.(DESIGN Solutions)
December 1, 2006... Sil-Pro, an ISO 9001:2000 contract manufacturer, custom extrudes silicone for medical and related applications inside a class 10,000 clean room. Extrusions are available color matched or translucent. The company makes single and multilumen...

Motion controller runs several axes.(DESIGN Solutions)
December 1, 2006... NYCe 4000, a rugged, high-end, compact, multi-axis industrial motion control system, combines control and drive hardware in one unit with a smaller footprint than an industrial PC. Its open software architecture makes the controller flexible...

Pancake load cell handles up to 2,000 lb.(DESIGN Solutions)
December 1, 2006... A 4 mV/V series of pancake load cells gives users a higher capacity than those in a previous series allowed while maintaining high precision. These load cells can work on applications such as endurance testing, automation for monitoring or...

FDA-approved machinery mounts.(DESIGN Solutions)
December 1, 2006... The H3A-Series of machinery mounts for manufacturing applications are made of ANSI 304 stainless steel and meet all FDA requirements. They work in environments ranging from -20 to 100[degrees] C. The mounts feature rubber vulcanized to the...

Worlds smallest quick disconnect.(DESIGN Solutions)
December 1, 2006... An M3 threaded quick disconnect is the world's smallest. It works well in applications that need a small package, leak-tightness, durability, and light weight. This quick disconnect adds to a growing family of single and multiple line (4, 6,...

How to clean stents and engrave with precision.(DESIGN Solutions)
December 1, 2006... The Advanced Lathe provides good control and repeatability in micro-abrasive blasting. It's intended for engineering development projects and full scale production. The unit propels abrasive and air out of up to five small nozzles aimed at a...

Work with China, not against it.(INDUSTRY Viewpoint)
December 1, 2006... This summer, a 16-member delegation of life-sciences company executives and government officials from Beijing came to Boston to meet with representatives from the state's biotechnology and medical-device companies. The Chinese delegation sought...

International medical and healthcare tradeshow.(MEETINGS & Shows)
December 1, 2006... Dec. 22 to 24 -- Medifest '06 will bring together companies interested in expanding in South and Central Asia. The show's objective, held in New Delhi, India is to bring together those related to the medical and healthcare sector under one...

Learn more about metal injection molding.(MEETINGS & Shows)
December 1, 2006... Jan. 12 -- A team of MIM experts will provide training on materials, part design, and manufacturing. The BASF seminar is open to product development engineers, procurement managers, and others interested in learning about the benefits of MIM...

Ultraviolet and electron-beam conference.(MEETINGS & Shows)
December 1, 2006... Mar. 6 and 7 -- UV EB WEST 2007 is a two day conference in LA with presentations and demonstrations by leading industry suppliers. Topics will cover the environmental, economic, energy savings, and performance benefits of UV and EB-and how the...

HealthPack.(MEETINGS & Shows)
December 1, 2006... Mar. 8 and 9 -- HealthPack targets medical-device professionals and serves as a forum for disseminating information on complex packaging issues. The two-day event will feature table-top exhibits and a content-rich conference program. ...

Fatigue 2007 conference.(MEETINGS & Shows)
December 1, 2006... Mar. 26 to 28 -- The Engineering Integrity Society is hosting Fatigue and Durability Assessment of Materials, Components, and Structure. The three-day conference offers a varied and technical program of papers and research from world experts in...

FlowExpo 2007.(MEETINGS & Shows)
December 1, 2006... Mar. 28 to 30 -- FlowExpo is and international show on fluid engineering and processing. The 10th International Trade Fair for Valves, Pipelines, Fluid Engineering, and Process Industries in will be held in Guangzhou, China. ...

Machine vision seminar.(MEETINGS & Shows)
December 1, 2006... Attend a free machine-vision seminar from Cognex and learn how vision sensors, ID readers, and presence sensors are helping manufacturers improve quality. Visit the Web site for cities and dates. www.cognex.com/news/seminars/details.asp

Cards, anyone?(RECOVERY Room)
December 1, 2006... Sha-Co! is an educational card game, aimed at children two and up, that teaches colors, shapes, basic rules, and problem-solving skills with the added benefit of improving social interaction. It's also become quite useful in the medical...

Wireless contest.
December 1, 2006... Lantronix's 2nd Annual Wireless Design Contest challenges design engineers to use their imaginations, along with its WiPort 8902.11 wireless-device server, to wirelessly network a machine or device. Contestants must register their product on...