Medical Design articles from July 2006

Medical Design archives from July 2006

"These are amazing times".(MEDICALEdge)
July 1, 2006... NASA's Cassini spacecraft recently passed close enough to Saturn to capture remarkable pictures of the planet and its rings, while sensors sniffed at the planet's composition. Even though the raw photos, as NASA calls them, are in black and...

Medical Innovation Summit: New Technologies, New Therapies, New Economics.(SHOW PREVIEW)
July 1, 2006... InterContinental Hotel and MBNA Conference Center October 18-20, 2004 A second meeting of medical minds titled Medical Innovation Summit: New Technologies, New Therapies, New Economics is slated for October 18 to 20. It's sponsored by...

Simple lessons from a complex project.(NEWS FROM Contract Manufacturers)
July 1, 2006... It's surprising what happens when a creative staff gets together to solve an "insurmountable" problem. Take for example when an OEM approached New England Catheter Corp., Lisbon, N.H. (www.necatheter.com) and asked for a drastic reduction in...

Silicone-compound manufacturer adds to facility.(NEWS FROM Contract Manufacturers)
July 1, 2006... NuSil Technology, a formulator and manufacturer of silicone compounds, will expand its headquarters in Carpinteria, Calif., by adding a 70,000 square-foot to their 185,000 square-foot research and manufacturing complex. The company...

Minneapolis ready for medical manufacturing show.(SHOW PREVIEW)
July 1, 2006... Minneapolis hosts the Medical Design and Manufacturing show at the Minneapolis Convention Center October 19, 20, and 21. The event features companies in contract manufacturing, component fabrication, adhesives, electronics, assembly, motion...

Mechanical testers check standards.(INDUSTRYNews)
July 1, 2006... 3300 series mechanical testers check tensile, compression, flexural, and peel properties of a variety of materials. Generic systems include a load frame with integrated control electronics, a load cell and industry-standard Series IX materials...

Micro-abrasive blasting cleans and removes coatings.(INDUSTRYNews)
July 1, 2006... The ProCenter combines a workstation and dust collector in one unit to deliver double the benefits in micro-abrasive blasting. The workstation contains a front-loading door, dual fluorescent lamps, an integral silencer, and an oversized abrade...

Modular workstations.(INDUSTRYNews)
July 1, 2006... Series 8000 modular workstations can be assembled and reconfigured faster than other workstations, according to the manufacturer. Each workstation can be configured in a variety of heights and lengths, and are available in five standard...

Vesta Inc.(News Briefs)
July 1, 2006... Vesta Inc., Franklin, Wisc., (www.vestainc.com) has expanded its capabilities by adding four 30-ton liquid-silicone-rubber presses for vacuum-injection molding. The presses will accommodate complex molded components. The equipment adds to the...

A.W. Company.(News Briefs)
July 1, 2006... The A.W. Company, Franksville, Wisc., has qualified as an ISO 9001:2000 compliant company. They make positive displacement, turbine, vortex, and coriolis flow meters, along with controllers and sensors.

GenData Research Corp.(News Briefs)
July 1, 2006... GenData Research Corp., Salt Lake City, and Battelle, Columbus, will collaborate to discover, develop, and commercialize biomarkers for diagnostic and therapeutic applications in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). The immediate...

Synovis Life Technologies Inc.(News Briefs)
July 1, 2006... Synovis Life Technologies Inc., St. Paul, Minn., was awarded two patents, one for a steerable stylet delivery system and another for an adjustable-stiffness stylet delivery system. Physicians use stylets to deliver a device, such as a cardiac...

CFD spotlights hot spots, makes fixes more certain.(INDUSTRYNews)
July 1, 2006... The simulation results for air flow and thermal conditions inside an electrical enclosure showed engineers at Philips Medical Systems several problems that were not going to be solved with another fan. The analysis for new ultrasound equipment...

Guidelines for working with prototypers.(INDUSTRYNews)
July 1, 2006... Quick and accurate prototypes and custom parts are key to successful R & D for any new product. Mike Maendl, owner of Protofab, Novato, Calif., (www.protofab.com) says he's often called at the last minute to machine parts for prototypes and...

Exercising in space.(INDUSTRYNews)
July 1, 2006... Bally Total Fitness it's not, but an innovative treadmill developed by researchers at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation (CCF) may one day help astronauts keep their motor skills sharp after long weightless journeys. The treadmill has two...

FDA commissioner outlines priorities.(REGULATIONS & FDA)
July 1, 2006... Acting FDA Commissioner Dr. Lester Crawford summarized the agency's priorities and anticipated major actions in a speech early August. He focused on technology development and innovation, modernizing the health care system through GMPs,...

Looking into the eye.(INNOVATIONS)
July 1, 2006... It's long been said the eyes are a window into a person's soul. Now Rafat Ansari, a NASA scientist, wants to use them as a portal for advanced diagnosis of Alzheimer's, diabetes, cataracts, macular degeneration, and a host of other diseases. He...

Air cusion fights bed sores.(INNOVATIONS)
July 1, 2006... Bed-ridden patients often end up with problems worse than the condition that landed them in bed in the first place: bed sores, bad skin, and life-threatening infections. To combat those problems, engineers at Hill-Rom, Batesville, Ind.,...

Guidelines & applications: for material selections; Lexans that don't yellow after autoclaving, thermally conductive plastics, and precolored liquid silicone are just a few recent material developments.
July 1, 2006... Picking the right material for a new product is a daunting task because there are millions of them. One expert boiled down the most common selection mistakes to two: "The first is picking something that's difficult to process or fabricate,"...

Medical displays now show 3D and go portable: displays designed for medical products can produce images in 3D, travel in a pocket, and come with a keyboard.
July 1, 2006... You could predict most trends in medical displays: They will become clearer, brighter, have higher resolution, and cost less. But a few developments seem unexpected, such as handheld displays for equipment diagnosis and 3D images that pop right...

Turning concepts into top-shelf products: contract manufacturers say early involvement and lots of leeway make for the most creative products.
July 1, 2006... There are generally two types of medical-device companies: Those that make discoveries and invent things, and contract manufacturers that develop concepts into saleable products. A few large companies can afford to handle both jobs, but the...

Challenging and rewarding.
July 1, 2006... The first annual MEDICAL DESIGN salary survey drew responses from engineers at companies like Boston Scientific, GE Healthcare, Stryker Medical, Philips Medical Systems, Guidant, and Medtronic. The survey polled readers about their salaries,...

Making prosthetics more lifelike: prosthetics let people grip, touch, and walk more naturally thanks to computerized and interactive motor-control mechanisms.
July 1, 2006... Prosthetic design and function until recently was solely based on mechanical designs. The problem is that amputees must compensate for mechanical-prosthetic joints with the rest of their body. This limits the symmetry of biomechanical movement...

Make connections without the noise.(Electrical Connectors)
July 1, 2006... Smart Connector systems seamlessly integrate into cable plugs for minimally-invasive surgical, diagnostie, and therapeutic devices and instrumentation. Smart Block technology, which acts as a miniature "computer" in the connector hub cable,...

Ultra-low profile battery connector for mobile apps.(Electrical Connectors)
July 1, 2006... SMT battery connectors have an ultra-low profile for mobile applications. The 9155 Series connectors feature a contact beam static height of 2.45 mm, offering almost a 50% savings in Z-axis height as compared to existing commercial connectors....

Connectors meet IP 54.(Electrical Connectors)
July 1, 2006... The HandyLink connector system has long-term performance and reliability for a variety of medical applications, such as infusion, drug dispensing, portable neural stimulation, and pain-management devices, as well as pace maker monitoring. The...

Torque and crush-resistant test assemblies stay flexible.(Electrical Connectors)
July 1, 2006... Phaseflex 110 GHz test assemblies offer torque and crush resistance, as well as stability with flexure and temperature, all while remaining flexible. The test assemblies provide excellent phase and amplitude stability with flexure over a wide...

Cordsets and receptacles.(Electrical Connectors)
July 1, 2006... The minifast B (1 in.-16) and C (1 1/8 in.-16) size cordsets and receptacles are industry-standard connectors built to meet the SAE H1738-2 specification. Available configurations include 6, 7, or 8-pin connections for the B size and 9, 10, or...

Guide clarifies international power components.(Electrical Connectors)
July 1, 2006... The Interpower Export Designer's reference and catalog is a guide to international power component selection. The Designer's Reference Section illustrates world plug/socket patterns, voltages, and frequencies, international safety agency...

Compact modular encoder only 35 mm diameter.(DESIGNSolutions)
July 1, 2006... A new modular encoder offers easy installation and provides two-channel incremental shaft position at 500 lines/revolution with quadrature and an index pulse. The RS 422 output differential-line driver features a single LED emitter-receiver for...

Tiny pump works at 50 ml/min.(DESIGNSolutions)
July 1, 2006... The NF5 diaphragm pump is now significantly smaller than other pumps in the product range. It moves liquids and liquid/gas mixtures at up to 50 ml/min. The NF5 has smooth, quiet pumping characteristics and features a suction height of 13 ft....

Multifunction flexures.(DESIGNSolutions)
July 1, 2006... The Heli-Cal Flexure, in the format of a coupling or U-joint, performs multiple functions without separate parts or the associated maintenance and backlash usually involved in rotating equipment. Machined from a single piece of material, the...

Flat linear tables.(DESIGNSolutions)
July 1, 2006... DryLin SLW is a compact, flat linear table with a spindle drive. It delivers high torsional strength with a height of about 1 1/8 in. It uses DryLin W linear guides. Another model, the DryLin HTSP, has plastic crossbars and slides. Its weight...

Half-million parts available on demand.(DESIGNSolutions)
July 1, 2006... Described as the design engineer's "candy store," a new catalog from Misumi features more than 500,000 mechanical components. The new inch-dimension version of Mechanical Components For Assembly Automation is based on the company's original...

Pumps target medical, HVAC use.(DESIGNSolutions)
July 1, 2006... Series 2770 WOB-L piston pumps target medical, dental, HVAC, and other OEM applications. Constructed of light yet rugged die-cast aluminum, 2770 Series pumps use stainless-steel valves with a patented recessed inlet valve. The cylinder is...

Sensorless stall detection.(DESIGNSolutions)
July 1, 2006... StallGuard technology in TMC246 and TMC249 driver chips detects stall without an encoder on bipolar stepmotors. The TMC246 is a dual full bridge driver IC. It can operate at temperatures to 105[degrees]C or currents up to 1.5 A/phase. Its...

FEA includes model repair and laminate designs.(DESIGNSolutions)
July 1, 2006... Strand7, a general purpose FEA system built on Windows, is used for the static, dynamic and heat transfer analysis of structures. It includes preprocessing, post processing, and solvers. The interface offers a consistent environment for the...

Small motor puts out 200 W.(DESIGNSolutions)
July 1, 2006... The Faulhaber 4490 brushless motor is available in the original delta-wound and the new star-wound versions. The 200-W motor combines a skew-wound System Faulhaber coil and a rare-earth magnet, and has a 44-mm diameter and 90 mm length. The...

CNC electromechanical press.(DESIGNSolutions)
July 1, 2006... A multi-access assembly press lets users operate multiple stations with only one PC. The upgraded EMAP is aimed at a number of different industries, including medical manufacturing, where precise control of part pressing functions is vital. The...

Plasma cleans and modifies surfaces prior to printing.(DESIGNSolutions)
July 1, 2006... A low pressure gas-plasma system cleans medical components so they are ultrapure, and it and modifies surfaces. The Q160 Gas Plasma System is aimed at R & D and low-volume production. The system has a 6 X 9-in. quartz chamber, mass-flow...

Rocker switches.(DESIGNSolutions)
July 1, 2006... The 2600 Series of rocker switches is aimed at power applications with capacitive and inductive circuits as well as common resistive circuits. The rocker switches are rated for 15 amps at 250 VAC and features a minimum electrical life of 10,000...

Broadband triplets for imaging.(DESIGNSolutions)
July 1, 2006... UV-to-NIR corrected triplets are for broadband imaging applications. The lenses provide a consistent focal length for wavelengths ranging from 193 to 1000 nm. Manufactured with premier grades of Calcium Fluoride and Fused Silica, these...

Isolated diaphragm solenoid valve.(DESIGNSolutions)
July 1, 2006... Liquid X is a 12 mm isolated diaphragm solenoid valve with high reliability and low-power consumption. The valve has perfluoroelastomer (FFKM) and ethylene propylene (EPDM) elastomer options for absolute repeatability in response time and...

Lead screws now in metric sizes.(DESIGNSolutions)
July 1, 2006... Thomson Metric lead screws come in diameters from 10 to 24 mm and leads from 2 to 45 mm. The units are ideal for placing light to medium loads in a wide range of equipment where fast, precise, and reliable positioning is a primary objective....

Compact motion controller.(DESIGNSolutions)
July 1, 2006... The EPOS 24/5 is a digital motion controller capable of position, velocity, and current mode operation. It features a small package size of 105 x 83 x 24 mm (4.2 X 3.3 X 0.9 in.) and weighs 170 gm (6 oz). Communication is via RS-232 or CANopen...

Orifices and filters for tube fittings.(DESIGNSolutions)
July 1, 2006... Sapphire and ruby orifices and filters mount in stainless-steel tube fittings, connectors, and face-seal glands. Orifices and filters are available in such fittings as male connectors, unions, elbows, port connectors, and an array of other...

Photoetching for medical applications.(DESIGNSolutions)
July 1, 2006... Photoetched precision haptics are used in intraocular lenses (IOL) for cataract surgery and other corrective implants. Haptics are etched from polyimide with the advantages of a three-piece IOL. It is optimal for foldable IOL silicone or...

ProSoft's in-rack PC.(DESIGNSolutions)
July 1, 2006... The PC56 in-rack PC has an open platform, supporting Windows and DOS so users can integrate applications into the ControlLogix world. The computer includes in-chassis, industrial hardware, a Pentium II processor, and supports Windows (NT, CE,...

Tapes bond dissimilar materials.(DESIGNSolutions)
July 1, 2006... The 3189 and 3474 Series of double-coated adhesive tapes bond well to a variety of substrates, most notably ether foam. For applications involving ether foams, uses include cushioning, acoustical absorption, vibration damping, equipment, and...

Mezzanine connectors for CT scanners and MRI systems.(DESIGNSolutions)
July 1, 2006... MEG-Array connectors provide 80 usable signals per linear cm (205 signals per linear inch) to optimize board space and signal routing flexibility. The 12 X 44, 528 position connector set allows greater than 16 slices per CT scan rotation. This...

Maintenance-free lead screws down to 0.125-in. dia.(DESIGNSolutions)
July 1, 2006... Mini Series lead screws are for demanding miniature applications, such as miniature pumps, dispensing systems, micro-actuators, and laser and optical focusing mechanisms. The Mini Series comes in diameters as small as 0.125 in. The unit is also...

Linear position sensors smarter and more rugged.(DESIGNSolutions)
July 1, 2006... R-Series linear-position sensors work on magnetostrictive positioning principles. These digitally-based "smart" sensors come with enhanced output capabilities and improved sensing performance and accuracy. The R-Series includes diagnostic LEDs...

Water purification system earns UL listing.(DESIGNSolutions)
July 1, 2006... Synergy and Synergy 185 water purification systems are now listed by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) for meeting UL and c-UL (Canadian) mechanical and electrical safety criteria. The water purification systems are registered and meet the...

Graphics boards.(DESIGNSolutions)
July 1, 2006... Nvidia Quadro delivers top-to-bottom graphics hardware for multi-screen workstations. Systems equipped with the hardware display quality, application stability, and good multi-screen performance. The Nvidia Quadro FX is used in CAD...

Miniature bearing guide has 7 mm rails.(DESIGNSolutions)
July 1, 2006... Caged Ball LM Guide Type SRS is now available in more compact miniature versions: SRS7M and the SRS7WM. Miniature versions of the SRS previously came in rail widths as small as 9mm. The latest SRS Miniature is now available with a rail as small...

Curing chamber uses UV/visible light.(DESIGNSolutions)
July 1, 2006... The Loctite ResinAid curing system, a self contained UV/visible light curing device, produces high quality hearing-aid shells using Loctite ResinAid molding compounds. Simple to operate and program, the curing system is an 18 X 43 X 27-in....

Speed testing and certification: without compromising safety.(INDUSTRYViewpoint)
July 1, 2006... While there's no room for compromise when it comes to meeting safety requirements, there are steps product designers and manufacturers can take to help ensure the approval process facilitates, rather than hinders, a new product's speed to...

"Mom, dad, I'm back".(Career Corner)
July 1, 2006... A survey of 1,108 college students by Monster, an online career site, says 64% of them plan to live with their parents after graduation. The trend is compounded by a continuing tight market for entry-level jobs, adds Monster. Of those planning...

Top 10 time tamers.(Career Corner)
July 1, 2006... Does time seem to pass you by? Mark Ellwood, president of Pace Productivity Inc., offers these tips for using your time wisely. 1. Write down your long-term goals. Use the Smart formula: make them Specific, Measurable, Appropriate,...

Increase creativity and ideas.(Career Corner)
July 1, 2006... The East of England Development Agency, an economic-growth company based in Histon, England, makes the following suggestions for generating ideas at work and increasing creativity: 1. Try brain-priming exercises. Focus on a problem, move...

CCF nanomedicine summit 2004.(MEETINGS & Shows)
July 1, 2006... Oct 25 and 26 -- The Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute will host a national summit to explore innovative strategies for translating nanotechnology into biomedical research and clinical devices. The summit will offer insight from top...

Nanomaterials 2004.(MEETINGS & Shows)
July 1, 2006... Oct. 25 to 27 -- Two conferences in Stamford, Conn., will discuss nanoelectronics, nanophotonics, nanomagnetics, nanobiotechnology, and nanomedicine. Sessions will cover market overviews and perspectives, optoelectronics and photonics, the role...

Design of combination products.(MEETINGS & Shows)
July 1, 2006... Oct 26 and 27 -- The Strategic Design and Development of Combination Products for the Pharmaceutical, Medical Device, and Biotech Industries event addresses critical issues and actual case studies from industry experts. Topics covered include...

Small motors conference.(MEETINGS & Shows)
July 1, 2006... Nov. 3 to 5 -- The SMMA Fall technical conference in St. Louis covers motor design and manufacturing, simulation and testing, new materials, and software. Classes include Fundamentals of Brushless Motor Control and a seminar on optimizing...

Fundamentals of Titanium.(MEETINGS & Shows)
July 1, 2006... Nov. 4 -- Attendees at the Fundamentals of Titanium workshop in Los Angeles will learn about the types, uses, and properties of common titanium alloys. They will leave with an understanding of applied titanium metallurgy fundamentals. Visit the...

Low-power MCU technical conference.(MEETINGS & Shows)
July 1, 2006... Nov. 9 to 11 -- Attendees to Texas Instruments' third annual worldwide MSP430 Advanced Technical Conference (ATC) in Dallas will be the first to get their hands on the latest ultra-low power microcontroller technology and USB-based tools while...

Nano 2004 conference.(MEETINGS & Shows)
July 1, 2006... Nov. 11 and 12 -- Discover how your company can profit from the latest small-tech innovations developed at NASA and other U.S. federal laboratories at Nano 2004 in Baltimore, Md. Explore real-world applications, critical technologies, nanoscale...

International design research.(MEETINGS & Shows)
July 1, 2006... Nov 17 to 21 -- Futureground 2004 will be held at Monash University, Australia. The program features keynote, plenary, and parallel paper presentations, exhibition and poster presentations, and workshop events. To register, or for further...

Medica 2004.(MEETINGS & Shows)
July 1, 2006... Nov. 24 to 27 -- Exhibits at Medica 2004 in Dusseldorf, Germany, include electromedical and laboratory equipment, medical technology, and diagnostics. Special forums and presentations highlight more specific topics including physiotherapy,...

Learn to battle complex issues.(MEETINGS & Shows)
July 1, 2006... Solid Edge Battle Complexity seminars are presented in various cities to help manufacturers battle increasing product and design process complexity. The seminars will show how to take your company to new levels of innovation and profitability....

Drive and control and hydraulic training.(MEETINGS & Shows)
July 1, 2006... The Service Automation business unit of Bosch Rexroth Corp. offers drive and control and hydraulic training courses which cover introductions, theories of operation, functions of major components, and other fundamentals and applications. The...

Pain in the foot.(RECOVERYRoom)
July 1, 2006... Do your feet hurt? You're not alone. Around 75% of Americans at one time or another experience foot problems, including plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, calcaneal bursitis, and arch pain. The American Podiatric Medical Association says 2.5...