Medical Design articles from December 2007

Medical Design archives from December 2007

New respect for the IT geeks.(MEDICALEdge)
December 1, 2007... The Cleveland Clinic recently announced plans for a Neurological Institute and how it would attack several diseases. Guess what will be among the first technologies the new Institute expects to put in place? Labs equipped with high-tech...

Medical Mart planned for Cleveland.(INDUSTRYNews)
December 1, 2007... A year-round showroom for medical equipment from various manufacturers is being planned for Cleveland. It would let makers of high-end equipment put their products on display for doctors, hospital managers, and others to more easily compare...

Help for medical inventors.(INDUSTRYNews)
December 1, 2007... It's no secret that start-up companies face an uphill battle to get their ideas funded and turned into salable products. But they need not go it alone. A few communities have formed organizations aimed at assisting start-ups. In Orange County,...

Building a better hernia patch.(INDUSTRYNews)
December 1, 2007... Hernias cause a bulge in the abdominal wall and can worsen with time, even rupture. To update materials used in their repair, healthcare firm Covidien, Mansfield, Mass., (covidien.com) granted the University of Missouri-Columbia School of...

CAD streamlines custom carts.(INDUSTRYNews)
December 1, 2007... A solid modeling program and good data management let a medical design firm customize wireless and mobile workstations for the healthcare industry in less time than previously possible. Mobile computer carts designed by Flo Healthcare, Atlanta,...

Webcast takes a closer look at rapid manufacturing.(INDUSTRYNews)
December 1, 2007... To shed light on new manufacturing options, RedEye RPM, a business unit of Stratasys Inc. invited rapid-prototyping consultant Todd Grimm to discuss different manufacturing technologies and provide a closer look at where Direct Digital...

Thin-film generator turns waste heat to power.(INDUSTRYNews)
December 1, 2007... A small, thin-film thermoelectric generator (TEG) converts heat into electricity. Developer Nextreme, Research Triangle Park, N.C. (nextreme.com) says the film is ideal for making use of waste heat. The solid-state TEG delivers power generation...

Advisory board warns of shortcomings at the FDA.(Regulations & FDA)
December 1, 2007... A subcommittee of the FDA's Science Board says the FDA is grossly overworked and understaffed, and the imbalance poses a "significant risk to the integrity of the food, drug, cosmetic, and device regulatory system, and hence the safety of the...

No welds and FEA help lighten wheelchair.(INDUSTRYNews)
December 1, 2007... An aerospace engineering company says it has invented the world's lightest and tightestfolding, fully adjustable wheelchair. The Flight wheelchair weighs 18 pounds and measures 9.5 in. from hand-rim to handrim when folded, says Matt Cochran,...

Color printer improves product security.(Contract Manufacturers)
December 1, 2007... Material manufacturer Fabrico, Kennesaw, Ga., (fabrico.com) has installed a state-of-the-art Aquaflex ELS 2200 13 in. color press at its facility. The company says the printer increases the number of materials it can print on and can handle...

Vesta boosts capacity for silicone parts.(Contract Manufacturers)
December 1, 2007... A manufacturer of silicone components for medical devices says it has increased its extrusion capacity and capabilities. The new extrusion machine at Vesta Inc., Franklin, Wisc., (vesta. com) brings the company's total to nine. "This gives us...

Four firms, one goal.(Contract Manufacturers)
December 1, 2007... Four companies say they have established a new medical platform committed to outsourced manufacturing of medical devices for OEMs worldwide. The group, Boston investment firm Riverside Partners LLC (riversidepartners.com), New England Precision...

SoCal manufacturer adds space and ISO qualifications.(Contract Manufacturers)
December 1, 2007... Over the last few months, Irvine, California-based Aubrey Group (augreygroup.com) has qualified for an ISO 13485 expansion, letting them add disposable and implantable medical devices to the list of products they are allowed to design and...

Simulating a micromixer.(MEDICAL MANUFACTURING UPDATE)
December 1, 2007... Miniature analysis systems, or labs-on-a-chip, work in little time and need only small quantities of samples and re-agents to deliver high-resolution results. Such devices typically include detectors, micropumps, reaction chambers, and...

FEM modeling helps build possible diabetes cure.(MEDICAL MANUFACTURING UPDATE)
December 1, 2007... A promising approach to treat diabetes involves transplanting Langerhans islets--groups of hormone-producing cells in the pancreas--into tiny subcutaneous "cages." The devices mechanically protect islets while letting nutrients flow in and out....

Servo vs. stepper: the debate continues.(MOTION CONTROL NEWS)
December 1, 2007... Motion-system design often requires a drive selection of either servo or stepper motors. Servos tend to be more stable and inexpensive, while steppers are known for high power and efficiency. Recent designs show that servo and stepper-motor...

Getting the right leak detector.(PACKAGING WRAP-UP)
December 1, 2007... Leak testing can be a great investment, especially for companies making healthcare devices. They know that a single component failure can come back to haunt them in the form of expensive liability claims. Because there is a wide variety of...

Material database for medical devices.(DESIGNING WITH ADVANCED MATERIALS)
December 1, 2007... Designing medical devices often centers around selecting the right materials, whether they are metals, plastics, composites, or ceramics. Good use of material information can shorten design cycles, reduce risk, and generate more innovative...

Making reliable, clean connections.(TODAY'S TUBING TECHNOLOGY)
December 1, 2007... Without a proper match between tubes and fittings, connections can be pulled off by vibration or tension, blown off from a pressure spike, or leak just enough to cause problems. Finding the proper connection is essential for a safe and secure...

Top five pitfalls in selecting NEMA enclosures.(ElECTRICAL COMPONENTS)
December 1, 2007... It's tough enough getting electrical components, board design, and programming to finish in a well-timed sequence. It's worse when designers select enclosures as after thoughts. These are serious errors because engineers assume enclosures are...

A bookmark for belly buttons.(INNOVATIONS)
December 1, 2007... Have you ever misplaced your navel? Apparently it is not unknown for plastic surgeons performing tummy tucks to "move" the belly button. It seems that the surgery involves moving around or removing the skin, fat tissues and abdominal muscle,...

Cable withstands crushing and kinking in the OR.(MD&M WEST PREVIEW)
December 1, 2007... Internally Ruggedized Medical Cable improves crush, torque, and kink resistance, extending cable life and reliability in demanding medical applications such as video endoscopy and powered surgical procedures. The cable design ensures reliable...

Visible light cures assembly adhesives.(MD&M WEST PREVIEW)
December 1, 2007... Loctite Indigo visible-light-cure adhesives are formulated for improved performance in bonding, potting, and assembly applications. Three adhesives, in low, medium, and high viscosities, have little or no color for improved aesthetics, and...

Selecting a CM for micromolding: an experienced contract manufacturer can help avoid headaches when it comes to micromolding plastic parts.(ADVANCED CONTRACT MANUFACTURING: PLASTIC INJECTION MOLDING)(Interview)
December 1, 2007... Mention micro-molding to most designers and they'll likely think "small parts." For all practical purposes, the association is correct. But it ignores the complexity of molding parts that are smaller than you might imagine. That's why selecting...

How to mold with 0 PPM quality: a scientific approach to injection molding ensures clean and accurate parts.(ADVANCED CONTRACT MANUFACTURING: PLASTIC INJECTION MOLDING)
December 1, 2007... Like any other medical manufacturing process, plastic injection molding must hold to rigorous standards of cleanliness and accuracy. Our company uses what we call the special "Scientific Manufacturing Assures Reliable Throughput" or Smart...

What to do when your injection molder closes shop: follow these guidelines to make transitioning to another CM as simple as possible.(ADVANCED CONTRACT MANUFACTURING: PLASTIC INJECTION MOLDING)
December 1, 2007... An unfortunate but sometimes unavoidable dilemma is how to best transfer part production from one injection molder to another. Factors that might make the switch necessary include bad quality, part shortages, and too many late deliveries. Or,...

Medical materials keep on coming.
December 1, 2007... Biomaterials made from living tissue, plastics that replace metals, and polymers that can be detected by X-ray are just a few recent material introductions. Material choice impacts every part of medical-device design, from cosmetic...

Biomaterials resist chemicals.
December 1, 2007... Implantable materials must be chemically compatible, withstand temperature variations, be sterilizable, and handle residual stresses and external loads. Solvay Advanced Polymers's family of Solviva biomaterials (www.solvivabiomaterials.com) is...

Replace lead shielding with tungsten-filled polymers.
December 1, 2007... RoHS, or Restriction of Hazardous Substances, are directives enacted by the European Union and other countries to restrict the use of six materials classified as potentially hazardous, including lead. In North America, a few states are...

How an elastic improves muscle tone.
December 1, 2007... The Xtensor device from Clinically Fit Inc. strengthens patients' extensor muscles, tendons, and finger joints, applying resistance when a user opens his or her hands. Weighing a mere five ounces, the device consists of a wrist wrap, back-hand...

Polymer withstands high temps and wear.
December 1, 2007... The Victrex Max-Series of polymers from Victrex plc, is said to perform in demanding environments, specifically in applications requiring a combination of high-temperature mechanical performance and dimensional stability. Victrex Max-Series...

TPEs feel silky smooth.
December 1, 2007... New injection-molding and blow-molding grades of olefin block copolymers (OBC) expand OBC technology with softness, a unique feel, and a wider range of flow characteristics. Dynalloy OBCs come from GLS Corp. which was recently acquired by...

Implantable polymer detectable by X-ray.
December 1, 2007... An image-contrast grade of PEEK-Optima polymer is now available from Invibio, West Conshohocken, Pa., (www.invibio.com). This grade has the mechanical, physical, and biocompatible properties of unfilled PEEK-Optima polymer with the added...

RTV gel cures without heat.
December 1, 2007... A new healthcare gel is ideal for use in applications that require an unfilled, room-temperature vulcanizing (RTV) material, according to developer NuSil Technology, Carpinteria, Calif., (www.nusil.com). The low cure temperature of MED-6380...

Natural material makes a better fistula repair.
December 1, 2007... Recto-vaginal fistulas are abnormal tracts or channels that form between a woman's rectum and vagina, often the result of prolonged labor, lacerations, or episiotomies during delivery. The recent fistula plug, the Surgisis Biodesign from Cook...

Masterbatches add color to products.
December 1, 2007... OEMs and processors developing products for the healthcare industry now can use colored compounds that meet ISO 10993-1 tests for biocompatibility. RTP Company, Winona, Minn., (www.rtpcompany.com) has developed standard lines of UniColor...

Lighter, thinner electronics.
December 1, 2007... SABIC Innovative Plastics, Pittsfield, Mass., (www.sabic-ip.com), says it has expanded its LNP Faradex family of specialty compounds to help electronics manufacturers design lighter-weight, thinner-wall housings with improved shielding. The...

Polymer for seals and bearings.
December 1, 2007... A low coefficient-of-friction polymer (0.15 to 0.2 @ 33.3 psi, 150 fpm) that has a durable tensile strength (5,500 psi using ASTM D4894 test), and an 8% deformation under load (ASTM D621) works well in high-performance seals and bearings where...

Silicones for temporary implants.
December 1, 2007... Dow Corning S Series liquid silicone rubbers are tested and supported for implants of 29 days or less. They also are appropriate for disposable applications in IV sets and catheters and for a variety of components, including valves and O-rings....

Embedded silver and copper fights MRSA bacteria.
December 1, 2007... Fosshield patented technology is 99.99% effective in killing methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteria to below the level of detection within one hour, says developer Foss Manufacturing, (www.fosshield.com). The...

Turning data into knowledge: whether your company runs PLM, ERP, or QMS, these data management systems have been improved to handle a wider variety of tasks required by regulations, and then some.
December 1, 2007... Data management software has a good reputation for tracking the mountains of information engineering and medical companies generate. The systems don't store the data. They store meta data--data about data--so information remains distributed in...

Fastening guide profiles hardware and installation.(Product Spotlight)
December 1, 2007... The 12-page Product Guide and Index to Bulletins is a quick and easy reference for fastener products and installation equipment. The guide describes the complete product line and includes descriptions and photos of more than 75 fastener types....

Big buttons make for fewer mistakes.(Product Spotlight)
December 1, 2007... Large-headed pushbuttons are available in various sizes from a 22.5 mm mounted switch with a 32-mm diameter actuator up to a 30.5 mm mounted switch with a large 40-mm actuator. A special large actuator with LED illumination, popular for...

Epoxy preforms for high-volume sealing.(Product Spotlight)
December 1, 2007... Uni-form epoxy preforms are an alternative to liquid epoxy for high-volume, high-quality sealing tasks. The one-part epoxy resins are solid at room temperature, but melt and cure when heated, forming a consistent seal that protects components...

Delivery cart for narrow aisles.(Product Spotlight)
December 1, 2007... A small-parts delivery cart comes with two adjustable 34 x 54-in. shelf rails with removable deck halves and 2,000 lb. rated load capacity for varying package heights and weights. A MPP (modified pivot point) 6-wheel system (4-wheels down,...

Snap-in cordgrips relieve cord and cable strain.(Product Spotlight)
December 1, 2007... Snap-In Cordgrips are suited for applications that use a flexible power cord in a non-liquid tight environment or where short assembly time is important. The cordgrips are easy to install: fingers on the end of the cordgrip securely lock into...

Solid-state drive packs 2Gig into postage-stamp form.(DESIGNSolutions)
December 1, 2007... The SiliconDrive USB Blade is solid-state storage in a small yet environmentally-rugged form, about the size of a postage stamp. The tiny Blade sports a boot drive for operating-system storage or data-logging applications. A manufacturer of...

Advanced lathe cleans stents, engraves surfaces.(DESIGNSolutions)
December 1, 2007... The LA3200 Advanced Lathe combines the precision of micro-abrasive blasting with an advanced machining platform. It is well suited for stent surface conditioning, detailed engraving, and other medical-manufacturing tasks. When equipped with a...

Brushes for medical tasks.(DESIGNSolutions)
December 1, 2007... A manufacturer of twisted-wire brushes says it can custom make a brush that that helps clean most any medical device or surgical instrument. A few examples include brushes for cytology and instrument cleaning, and stylet wires. Disposable...

PCB-mounted power supplies for medical jobs.(DESIGNSolutions)
December 1, 2007... A recent KM family of encapsulated acdc power supplies is intended for medical and OEM applications. Single, dual, and triple output models have power ratings from 15 to 40 W. KM supplies are available with combinations of output voltages...

Cables and their carriers pass cleanroom tests.(DESIGNSolutions)
December 1, 2007... New certifications have been received for clean-room use of Chainflex cables and Energy Chain cable carriers. These meet ISO clean-room standard 14644-1 which is based on air cleanliness in cleanrooms and similarly controlled environments. Igus...

Transfer tape works well on vinyls.(DESIGNSolutions)
December 1, 2007... A manufacturer of pressure-sensitive adhesive tape introduces the 7603-PET acrylic adhesive-transfer tape. These transfer tapes bond well at room temperature to a variety of challenging plasticized substrates, including most vinyl sheets,...

High-strength stainless steel couplings.(DESIGNSolutions)
December 1, 2007... A series of 17-4PH stainless steel couplings work well in applications calling for high strength, excellent fatigue resistance, and high torsional stiffness. The couplings provide twice the torque of versions in 303 stainless and 7075-T6...

Miniature ball screw compensates for wear.(DESIGNSolutions)
December 1, 2007... The Series 1510 miniature precision ball screws come with a spring preloaded double nut to compensate for torque variations from inaccuracies in the ground thread. Another benefit of the preload: wear compensation. The result is smooth motion...

Small machine for small parts.(DESIGNSolutions)
December 1, 2007... Microlution CNC micro-milling machines now come with a 36-pocket automatic tool changer. The machines use standard G-code. The builder reports a 2-micron positioning accuracy, 20-nm resolution, and 200-nm repeat-ability, all within a...

Cooling fans for high-vibration jobs.(DESIGNSolutions)
December 1, 2007... Taylor Industrial Electronics has agreed to distribute the air-moving devices of ETRI designs. TIE will introduce a range of 400 Hz and 28 Vdc fans. The 400-Hz unit is small but powerful and ranges from 56 x 38 mm to 275 x 214 mm with an...

Silicone cables ready for medical tasks.(DESIGNSolutions)
December 1, 2007... Cicoil silicone cabling is ideal for medical applications. The cables are made of medical grade silicone, and compatible with all medical connectors. The cable assembles easily, and withstands temperature extremes and chemical sterilization...

Take this vacuum supply almost anywhere.(DESIGNSolutions)
December 1, 2007... A battery-powered vacuum station is suitable for hold-down devices and lifting applications where ac power is not available. The VFP-57-dc station includes a heavy-duty rechargeable 12 V, 12-A automotive battery and an integrated 1.5-A charger....

Catalog of backplanes and more.(DESIGNSolutions)
December 1, 2007... An industry designer and manufacturer of high-performance backplanes has developed a new version of its product and services catalog. The new Bustronic catalog has information on the company's backplanes, system accessories, and services....

Scanners for lasers.(DESIGNSolutions)
December 1, 2007... Galvo Scanners work with the manufacturer's diode lasers so the beam spot can be focused at any point in the working field. Scanners include complete F-Theta optics, collimation, and Visual Laser Marker software. Devices come with 20 or 30-mm...

Image sensor for machine vision.(DESIGNSolutions)
December 1, 2007... The KAI-01050 image sensor for machine vision uses a 5.5-[mu] pixel that is said to be 45% the size of previous pixels, but still retains the dynamic range of the larger size. Quad-output architecture allows readout speeds of up to 120...

Portable measuring arm.(DESIGNSolutions)
December 1, 2007... The Quantum FaroArm portable measuring device takes point measurements in its 8-ft. working volume with [+ or -] 0.0007 accuracy. It uses fully programmable software for repetitive measurements and requires no programming for first-article...

Manual, video-based vision system.(DESIGNSolutions)
December 1, 2007... It is said the Galileo EZ manual, video-based vision system is a natural upgrade from a comparator, without the complexity of PC-based software. The device features a precision mechanical bearing with a measuring stage of 8 x 4 x 6 in. or 12 x...

Wire EDM for medical.(DESIGNSolutions)
December 1, 2007... The MD+Pro II wire EDM is intended for producing medical parts. It features a simplified wire-drive technology, an all stainless-steel work area, and an open-table design that shortens part setup and maintenance time. Work-piece dimensions are...

Pocket-size bearing tester.(DESIGNSolutions)
December 1, 2007... The pocket-size Bearing Tester detects early bearing damage and marginal lube-film conditions. A built-in microprocessor analyzes shock-pulse patterns from the bearing and the LED provides an immediate evaluation. The tester also has an...

Composites explained on web site.(DESIGNSolutions)(Website overview)
December 1, 2007... A supplier of composite cannula and dielectric insulating shafts has upgraded its Web site. The site now contains printable design guides, material and application information, and product photos. A RFQ system lets engineers upload drawings and...

Cover seal for linear actuators.(DESIGNSolutions)
December 1, 2007... A new, optional cover seal for PROmech linear actuators protects the screw from particulate matter and other debris, for a longer actuator life, cleaner running, and an aesthetic appearance. The seal adds just 17 mm in overall length and no...

Non-contact and touchless rotary sensors.(DESIGNSolutions)
December 1, 2007... A series of non-contact and fully touchless rotary position sensors are suited to mobile and other harsh environment, limited-space applications. The devices feature two sensing technologies: a non-contact technology with a rotating shaft is...

Single conduit handles multiple fluid lines.(DESIGNSolutions)
December 1, 2007... Fluoroplastic paratubing consists of two to four tubes longitudinally thermally welded, creating one conduit consisting of multiple individual tubes. Paratubing lets OEMs run several fluid lines as one entity and then split the tubes apart for...

Mini screwrail for auto sampling and dispensing.(DESIGNSolutions)
December 1, 2007... The Mini ScrewRail includes a precision- rolled lead screw, supported by sealed bearings and contained within a concentric steel guide rail, driving an integrated nut/bushing. The screwrail is available in a 0.375-in. OD, smaller than typical...

Low-power microcontroller for portable equipment.(DESIGNSolutions)
December 1, 2007... A system-on-chip microcontroller unit provides a complete signal chain for handheld medical applications. The MSP430FG4270's 16-bit RISC architecture improves performance and extends battery life. Five low-power modes, with a standby power...

Low-friction pneumatic actuators.(DESIGNSolutions)
December 1, 2007... The MQ series of pneumatic actuators use precision machined cylinders to reduce sliding friction. Breakaway pressure is as low as 0.15 psi. MQQs come in 10, 16, 20, 25, 30, and 40-mm bore sizes. Operating pressure ranges from 0.75 to 75 psi and...

10 questions to ask before outsourcing.(INDUSTRYViewpoint)
December 1, 2007... Hiring temporary resources for any function is now a common practice throughout the United States. From entry level unskilled labor to virtual executives, companies are fitting temporary resources into positions once exclusive to full-time...

Root cause investigation for CAPA.(MEETING&Shows)(Calendar)
December 1, 2007... Feb. 6 and 7 -- During the seminar, you'll learn a seven-step investigational method to uncover the root cause of problems. You will be assigned to a team and immediately begin applying the concepts on a real case study as each step is taught....

HealthPack 2008.(MEETING&Shows)(Calendar)
December 1, 2007... March 4 to 6 -- Meet the people who use medical packaging at HealthPack 2008. Keynote speaker, Mary Jo Steiert, President, Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN), gives an insider's look at how packaging impacts the day-to-day...

CAN Conference.(MEETING&Shows)(Conference news)(Calendar)
December 1, 2007... March 12 and 13 -- The 12th international CAN Conference takes place in Barcelona, Spain. The two-day conference is preceded by a day of workshops. Visitors to the English-speaking events can see the latest CAN know-how, exchange experiences,...

Metal Matters 2008.(MEETING&Shows)(Calendar)
December 1, 2007... Mar. 12 to 14 -- The Fabricators & Manufacturers Association Intl. is sponsoring Metal Matters 2008: The Metal Fabricator's Management Summit. The third annual conference will feature keynotes by John Ratzenberger, host of The Travel Channel's...

China International Medical Equipment Fair.(MEETING&Shows)(Calendar)
December 1, 2007... April 18 to 21 -- The China International Medical Equipment Fair (CMEF) and the International Component Manufacturing & Design (ICMD) are part of Asia Pacific's largest medical devices trade exhibition and conference. The Spring 2008 edition of...

Health-care accolades.(RECOVERYRoom)
December 1, 2007... Innovations and advocacy for a sensible approach to solving health-care issues has earned Dr. Karen Davis, the 2007 Julio Palmaz Award. The award honors individuals or organizations that have made significant contributions to advances in the...

Angels in hospital wings.(RECOVERYRoom)
December 1, 2007... Anticollision sensors detect and measure the proximity between medical-imaging machines and obstacles. The "Body Angel" system, which performs 3D contouring of patients, consists of three sensors: Body Angel Ring for front detection, Body Angel...

Psychiatrically challenged christmas carols.
December 1, 2007... Borderline personality disorder: Thoughts of Roasting on an Open Fire [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Dementia: I Think I'll Be Home for Christmas Depression: Silent Anhedonia, Holy Anhedonia, All is Flat, All is Lonely. ...

Stainless-steel sensor less than 1-in. dia.(EDITORIAL INDEX)
December 1, 2007... The 3100 Series pressure transducers provide full scale accuracy of 0.25%. Long term drift is limited to 0.1% over the full scale/yr. Performance and stability come from using sputtered thin-film sensing technology, and it's available to OEMs...