Medical Design articles from July 2008

Medical Design archives from July 2008

Foreign FDA offices a good idea. But who pays?(EDITORIAL)
July 1, 2008... It's easy to get frustrated with the FDA because it is usually slow acting and risk-adverse. So now comes news the Agency is setting up offices and labs in China, India, and other locations to monitor products headed our way. One has to wonder:...

Managing medical data on the battlefield.(MEDICAL NEWS IN BRIEF)
July 1, 2008... After the Gulf War, thousands of service members returned from duty without proof of combat-related illnesses and injuries, resulting in loss of benefits. In 1997, Presidential and Congressional mandates called for a medical tracking system and...

Assessing concussions.(MEDICAL NEWS IN BRIEF)
July 1, 2008... A study by think-tank Rand Corp., Santa Monica, Calif., says some 320,000 U.S. troops may have suffered brain injuries in Iraq and Afghanistan, but less than half say they were ever evaluated by a doctor. Even when there's no unconsciousness or...

Good bye titanium, hello PEEK.(MEDICAL NEWS IN BRIEF)
July 1, 2008... A material incompatibility problem in a surgical head restraint led designers to swap a PEEK-based material for costly titanium. Performance Plastics Ltd. (PPL), Cincinnati, (performanceplastics.com) shaped the restraints with a PEEK...

Correct dosage at the flick of the wheel.(MEDICAL NEWS IN BRIEF)
July 1, 2008... Children in poorer countries often don't get the proper dosage of medicine or vitamins because most pills don't come in small or extra small. Workers at the Releef Initiative (releef.org), an international nonprofit network, say breaking pills...

CFD investigates the personal environment.(MEDICAL NEWS IN BRIEF)
July 1, 2008... Studying air flow problems, such as personal ventilation and contamination removal in aircraft cabins, has researchers using CFD meshing software Gridgen from Pointwise Inc., Ft. Worth, Texas (gridgen.com) to model the personal micro...

Get more from offshoring than just a component.(INDUSTRY VIEWPOINT)
July 1, 2008... Medical-device designers are continuously challenged to find ways that reduce time and cost in their design and manufacturing tasks. Offshore sourcing of product development and manufacturing is one way to lower the unit costs. However, the...

What you should know about electronic medical-device reporting.(FDA & REGULATIONS)
July 1, 2008... FDA regulations require companies to immediately notify the agency when a company receives complaints of device malfunctions, serious injuries, or deaths associated with its medical devices. These adverse events are reported on what's called...

Glenbrook Technologies forms MicroFluor.(BUSINESS NEWS FROM CONTRACT MANUFACTURERS)
July 1, 2008... MicroFluor LLC will market low-dose fluoroscopic X-ray imaging equipment to medical facilities. The new technology produces remarkably detailed images, real-time visualization, and works with extremely low radiation, according to inventor and...

$600 million for risky medical research.(BUSINESS NEWS FROM CONTRACT MANUFACTURERS)
July 1, 2008... A private philanthropy has announced a $600 million initiative to fund risky but potentially lifesaving medical research by 56 of America's top scientists. The Howard Hughes Medical Institute, it says, is expanding its flagship investigators...

Johnson Medtech opens four cleanrooms.(BUSINESS NEWS FROM CONTRACT MANUFACTURERS)
July 1, 2008... Johnson Medtech, Shelton, Conn., (johnsonmedtech.com) the medical products group of Johnson Electric, has opened four new cleanrooms in Shajing, China. The cleanrooms encompass 14,000 [m.sup.2] on three floors. "These facilities will increase...

Berwind buys specialty coatings.(BUSINESS NEWS FROM CONTRACT MANUFACTURERS)
July 1, 2008... Specialty Coating Systems Inc. (SCS) Indianapolis, (scscoatings.com) has been acquired by Berwind Corp., Philadelphia, a private investment management company. Its portfolio is comprised of successful manufacturing and service companies. SCS is...

Lambda hits 60.(BUSINESS NEWS FROM CONTRACT MANUFACTURERS)
July 1, 2008... Lester Dubin of Queens, New York founded Lambda Electronics Inc. in 1948 (lambdapower.com) and moved to larger facilities in Melville, NY in 1962. Dubin, an inventive engineer, patented many electronic devices that contributed to the company's...

Merging with Memry.(BUSINESS NEWS FROM CONTRACT MANUFACTURERS)
July 1, 2008... Plans to merge have been announced by Milan-based SAES Getters S.p.A., a manufacturer of equipment and developer of applications for vacuums and ultra-pure gases, and Memry Corp., Bethel, Conn. (memry.com) a manufacturer of nitinol and...

Die cutting and converting: converters manufacture a variety of medical products and components from different materials. There are dozens of methods and guidelines for doing so. Here's what you should know.(MEDICAL MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY)
July 1, 2008... Die cutting and converting involves making parts by "converting" thin materials such as films, foams, foils, and adhesives into products and components. Applications for the medical device and pharmaceutical industries include microfluidic...

Combination products challenge their packaging.(PACKAGING WRAP-UP)(Interview)
July 1, 2008... One begins to appreciate the difficulty and importance of protecting medical devices when you consider that a failed package is sufficient reason to toss a $2,000 drug-coated stent. For more insight to recent challenges in medical packaging and...

X-ray shielding with a lead-free moldable material: a replacement for lead in X-ray shields.(DESIGNING WITH ADVANCED MATERIALS)
July 1, 2008... High-energy-electromagnetic radiation poses a great health hazard to those who must work around scanners, test and measurement instruments, fluoroscopes and X-ray machines, collimators, and other equipment. X-rays and gamma radiation are the...

A few ideas for developing innovative medical devices.(R&D NOTEBOOK)
July 1, 2008... How many of us have actually been taught how to innovate? We may have been taught to engineer or design, but likely, relatively few in research, development, and design have really been taught how to innovate. Innovation happens when research...

Working with heat-shrink tubing.(TODAY'S TUBING TECHNOLOGY)
July 1, 2008... Heat-shrink tubing provides a way to apply tight, protective coverings to components subjected to the extremes of heat, corrosion, shock, moisture, and other harmful environmental conditions. It is used in medical applications for electrical...

Protecting patients from unauthorized devices.(ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS)
July 1, 2008... Many OEMs sell machines to hospitals at a loss with the intention of making up the difference on a disposable patient-interface piece. Take for example, patient-monitoring equipment. The monitor typically works with a disposable probe kit, a...

Giving the heart a helping hand.(INNOVATIONS)
July 1, 2008... Patients with weak or damaged hearts that need replacing often rely on bridge-to-transplant devices like the HeartMate II, a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) from Thoratec Corp., Pleasanton, CA (thoratec.com). These devices keep patients...

IV components made safer and cleaner: filters with two different media, connectors that work only with one valve, and antimicrobial materials are a few features on recent IV components.
July 1, 2008... Hospitals earned a bad reputation the last few years as places where accidents were more frequent than imagined and infections were easily contracted. It's not hard to find shocking statistics. The Association for Professionals in Control and...

Precise pumping calls for hybrid steppers: improvements in hybrid stepper motors foster better medical-equipment designs.
July 1, 2008... Hybrid stepper motors make for a good choice when applications call for low-cost yet fine resolution of shaft movement, as in medical syringe and peristaltic pumps. The motors provide precise speed and motion control for analyzers, ultrasound...

Making a better implant: implants are getting more sophisticated, thanks to regenerative materials, personalized instruments, and biocompatible electrical connectors.
July 1, 2008... Demand for medical implants should increase 9.3% annually to $43.6 billion in 2011, according to a report by industry researchers The Freedonia Group, Cleveland, (www.freedoniagroup.com). The company says cardiac implants are expected to remain...

Adding human factors engineering to product development: consider the lessons of human factors studies to make devices more user friendly.(Clinical report)
July 1, 2008... We can all think of products that drive us crazy. They range from video recorders that are confusing to program to rigid-plastic packages that require a struggle to remove the contents. These are daily annoyances, but when it comes to medical...

Tiny level sensor for harsh environments.(TECH SPOTLIGHT)
July 1, 2008... Miniature 950 Electro Optic Level Sensors perform in harsh environments with features such as an over-molded electronics insert, TPE insulated wires, and fluorosilicone O-ring seals that create a watertight, environmentally resistant assembly...

One connector for two-cylinder position sensors.(TECH SPOTLIGHT)
July 1, 2008... A twin-set sensor comprises two BIM-UNT sensing heads connected by an over-molded cable. Power and signal wires are combined into an integral M12 connector on the sensor. So only one 4-wire cordset is needed to connect the unit to a PLC on...

Force sensors keep infusion pumps pumping.(TECH SPOTLIGHT)
July 1, 2008... FSS series sensors provide precise, reliable force sensing in a small package. The sensors feature a specialized piezoresistive micro-machined silicon-sensing element. The low power, unamplified, noncompensated Wheat-stone bridge circuit design...

A guide to advanced sensors.(TECH SPOTLIGHT)
July 1, 2008... The 2008 Product Catalog and Measurement Resource from Endevco provides a guide to advanced sensor technology and selection and describes the company's product line and support services. It includes helpful reference materials such as...

900-page catalog shows sensing options.(TECH SPOTLIGHT)
July 1, 2008... Pepperl+Fuchs introduces their 2008-2009 North American Sensor Catalog and Selection Guide. The nearly 900-page resource details the company's complete family of capacitive, inductive, medical, special application, NAMUR, ultrasonic, and...

Spring-loaded position sensors for collecting device QC data.(TECH SPOTLIGHT)
July 1, 2008... A dc-operated position sensor is spring-loaded and provides two-wire, loop-powered 4 to 20 mA operation commonly used with many PLCs, computer-based data processors, and QC data-collection systems. Operating over a wide range of loop supply...

Magnetic angular and tilt sensors, and more.(TECH SPOTLIGHT)
July 1, 2008... A catalog from ASM Sensors features Posirot magnetic angular sensors and Positilt magnetic inclination sensors for medical manufacturing tasks. Posirot sensors include contact-free and wear-free 360[degrees] position sensors with a typical...

Flat cable carries fluids.(PRODUCTS & SERVICES)
July 1, 2008... Motion Series plus (MS+) flat power and signal cables are for high-performance motion control applications often found in medical manufacturing. The series combines 6 power conductors and 20 signal wires in a flat cable measuring just 0.80 x...

Vacuum device picks up small parts for manual assembly.(PRODUCTS & SERVICES)
July 1, 2008... The ProcessMate PM100 Vacuum Pickup provides a fast and efficient way to safely lift and position small or delicate parts in benchtop assembly tasks. To lift a component, the operator places the soft cup of the vacuum-pickup pen over the part,...

Inch and metric possible on flexible coupling.(PRODUCTS & SERVICES)
July 1, 2008... A W-Series coupling comes in metric sizes and fasteners for many medical designs. The single piece, flexible couplings compensates for irregular movements such as angular and skewed misalignment, parallel offset, and axial motion. The unit...

Low pressure break-away couplings.(PRODUCTS & SERVICES)
July 1, 2008... The BreakAway coupling provides safe and easy fluid transfer and protection from costly product loss and equipment damage. Available as in-line and panel mount styles with 1/4 and 3/8-in. hose barb terminations, the coupling's maximum pressure...

Plasma replaces chemical priming.(PRODUCTS & SERVICES)
July 1, 2008... Plasma3 provides variable chemistry atmospheric plasma for difficult to treat surfaces, such as polymer pharmaceutical containers. The treatment eliminates expensive priming, batching, and hazardous chemical surface preps. The system treats...

Online material selector for devices, packaging, and more.(PRODUCTS & SERVICES)
July 1, 2008... Areas of application for particular materials on the medical Web section of Eastman's Innovation Lab re-size themselves when users select a different Y-axis and market segment. Take the device market, for instance. Users can select toughness,...

Contact springs for electrical tests.(PRODUCTS & SERVICES)
July 1, 2008... Gold-plated bellows contacts are an alternative to spring-loaded-test pins for the next generation of high-frequency medical test applications. Contact springs are manufactured from electrodeposited nickel, then gold plated to ASTM-B-488 to...

FEA for device design.(PRODUCTS & SERVICES)
July 1, 2008... FEA Abaqus 6.8 software lets medical researchers and device designers lower costs and reduce cycle times by simulating stress, impact, crush, fluid-structure interaction, thermal dynamics, and other complex behaviors. V6.8 has new and improved...

Digital output boards.(PRODUCTS & SERVICES)
July 1, 2008... Guardian DNA/DNR-DIO-432 and 433 industrial digital output boards are for use with the developer's Ethernet Cube family, PowerDNA, UEIPAC, UEILogger, and Modbus "Cubes". DNR models work with UEI's 12-slot rack-mounted RACK-tangle I/O chassis....

Online models of human anatomy.(PRODUCTS & SERVICES)
July 1, 2008... 3DScience.com provides scientific visualization in the form of images, animations, and 3D models of human anatomy. Images include those of cells, bacteria, and protozoa, while 3D models include those of the heart, skin, and teeth. One animation...

Reusable air-filter frames.(PRODUCTS & SERVICES)
July 1, 2008... A reusable clamshell or thin envelope air-filter frame allows replacing only the air filter media, for lower maintenance costs. Two frame designs fit spaces less than 6.35 mm or 0.25-in. thick and can be removed for service while reducing the...

Pressure monitor resolution to 0.001-in. water.(PRODUCTS & SERVICES)
July 1, 2008... Model SRPM (Setra Room Pressure Monitor) is for low-differential pressure applications that require stringent pressure monitoring and alarming such as in clean rooms, pharmaceutical, semiconductor, research labs. The unit monitors the positive...

Polyisoprene parts look and feel like rubber.(PRODUCTS & SERVICES)
July 1, 2008... Kent Elastomer Products Inc. has increased its choice of materials available within the company's dip molding technology to include parts made of synthetic polyisoprene. The material has the look, feel, and physical properties of natural rubber...

Amplifier improves accuracy and extends battery life.(PRODUCTS & SERVICES)
July 1, 2008... A low power zero-drift instrumentation amplifier is said to feature the lowest quiescent current and lowest input bias current versus the nearest competition, as well as an impressive power-to-noise ratio, low offset voltage/drift, and 1.8 V...

Electronic valve fits in small spaces.(PRODUCTS & SERVICES)
July 1, 2008... At just over an inch tall, and less than 3/4-in. diameter, the EM valve is available in 2- and 3-way configurations, and uses Clippard's special "spider" design. Several voltage options are available, as well as flow rates from 0.55 to 0.75...

Compact Mini-K speed regulator.(PRODUCTS & SERVICES)
July 1, 2008... The leak proof Mini-K model Kinechek is well suited to medical assembly tasks requiring a small, light weight feed control, such as in hand-held drill operations. Leak proof and fully adjustable, the Mini K Kinecheks are available in 0.5, 1,...

Biomedevice.(MEETINGS & SHOWS)(Calendar)
July 1, 2008... Sept. 10 and 11 - Biomedevice showcases the latest advances in medical-grade materials, assembly and electronic components, computer-aided design and manufacturing, automation and robotics, packaging materials and machinery, medical-device...

Titanium 2008.(MEETINGS & SHOWS)(Calendar)(Conference notes)
July 1, 2008... Sept. 21 to 24 - The annual International Titanium Association conference provides opportunities to meet fellow suppliers, competitors, and customers related to the titanium field. This year's conference will provide insight on latest industry...

MD&M Midwest.(MEETINGS & SHOWS)(Calendar)
July 1, 2008... Sept 23 to 25 - MD&M Midwest includes the Assembly Technology Expo, Electronics Assembly Show, National Manufacturing Week, Plastics USA/PLASTEC Midwest featuring the National Plastics Design Competition, and Green Manufacturing Expo. Meet with...

Medical electronics symposium.(MEETINGS & SHOWS)(Calendar)
July 1, 2008... Sept. 25 - Meptec, the MicroElectronics Packaging and Test Engineering Council, will hold its 3rd annual medical electronics symposium titled "Technology Concepts Enabling Product Reality" at the Arizona State University Campus in Tempe, Ariz....

Cleanroom technology.(MEETINGS & SHOWS)(Calendar)
July 1, 2008... Oct. 1 and 2 - This course reviews U.S. and E.U. regulations, fundamentals of design, maintenance, and monitoring of cleanrooms for medical-device manufacturing. Design engineers, QA/QC managers, and production personnel will benefit from the...

Creating high-performing teams.(MEETINGS & SHOWS)(Calendar)
July 1, 2008... Oct. 6 to 10 - This program combines the best insights from research and case studies with experiential learning. Sessions include forming and sustaining teams, aligning individuals around group goals, and leading from the front, middle, and...

SMMA 2008 Fall technical conference.(MEETINGS & SHOWS)(Conference news)(Calendar)
July 1, 2008... Oct. 15 to 17 - The Fall technical conference of the Motor and Motion Association covers how to improve electric motor efficiency, fundamentals of brushless motor control, and advanced motor design. The conference's theme is Energy Efficiency...

Medical-device reimbursement seminar.(MEETINGS & SHOWS)(Calendar)
July 1, 2008... Oct. 27 and 28 - Medical device and diagnostic reimbursement is the second largest barrier to market entrance and FDA approval is not sufficient to ensure reimbursement. Learn how and why strategy must be devised early in a product's lifecycle...

Medical device regulatory compliance.(MEETINGS & SHOWS)(Calendar)
July 1, 2008... Nov. 3 to 5 - This course covers current FDA regulatory compliance issues with respect to developing, manufacturing, and marketing medical devices. It includes an overview of the FD&C Act, case law, and pertinent FDA regulations. Among the...

Compamed 2008.(MEETINGS & SHOWS)(Calendar)
July 1, 2008... Nov. 19 to 21 - Compamed 2008, High-tech Solutions for Medical Technology, will take place at the fairgrounds in Dusseldorf, Germany. Over 450 exhibitors from 30 countries will present parts, modules and components, drive systems, tubes,...

Rubik's Cube for the blind.(RECOVERY ROOM)
July 1, 2008... Ashley Bredemus of Grand Rapids High School in Minnesota took first place in the High-School category of Dimension 3D Printing Group's fourth annual "Extreme Redesign: The Ultimate 3D Printing Challenge," with her Rubik's Sphere for the Blind....

Wireless electrocardiograph system.(RECOVERY ROOM)
July 1, 2008... The challenge: Create an electrocardiograph device for patients not typically monitored for cardiac arrhythmia. The device should reliably alert hospital staff, move with the patient through the hospital, and be of sufficiently low cost that a...

Look into your heart.(RECOVERY ROOM)
July 1, 2008... Go to http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/01/08/healthscience/08seco. php for an amazing tour of a healthy and beating heart, captured by computed tomography (CT). Dr. Harvey Hecht of the Lenox Hill Heart and Vascular Institute narrates has he...