Medical Design articles from June 2008

Medical Design archives from June 2008

A few strategies for marketing in China.(EDITORIAL)
June 1, 2008... The recent China Medical Equipment Fair (CMEF) held in Shenzhen brought home the idea that China is no longer just place for low-cost manufacturing. The country also has a vast and growing potential consumer base. Shenzhen, for instance, looks...

Building a better leg.(MEDICAL NEWS IN BRIEF)
June 1, 2008... An artificial yet active prosthetic leg gives above-the-knee amputees a more natural gait thanks to a microprocessor that adjusts the knee to changing conditions. The controller on the C-Leg from Otto Bock HealthCare, Minneapolis (ottobock....

Shark skin shows how to keeps surfaces clean.(MEDICAL NEWS IN BRIEF)
June 1, 2008... A surface made of micro-scale features shaped, arranged, and spaced in a particular pattern provides a nontoxic and nonbiocidal way to control microorganism growth on a surface. University of Florida researcher Anthony Brennan invented the...

A better way to warm blood.(MEDICAL NEWS IN BRIEF)
June 1, 2008... The accuracy, time response, and repeatability of an IV/blood warmer varied enough from unit to unit that it caused performance and validation failures. When accuracy is a primary concern, time response and repeatability are sometimes...

Natural coating promises more effective drug-eluting devices.(MEDICAL NEWS IN BRIEF)
June 1, 2008... The problem surrounding conventional drug-eluting stents (DES) is that restenosis still recurs in about 8% of patients, putting them back at square one. A recent stent coating may solve the problem. To address the limitations, MIV Therapeutics...

Microbes apparently not bothered by buckyballs.(MEDICAL NEWS IN BRIEF)
June 1, 2008... Researchers at Purdue University have found that nanosized particles called buckminsterfullerene or buckyballs (carbon molecules [C.sub.60]) have little effect on microbes that break down organic substances in wastewater. [C.sub.60] and other...

Innovation requires flexibility and curiosity.(INDUSTRY VIEWPOINT)
June 1, 2008... In 2006 Brandon Medical, a medical lighting company based in Leeds in the UK approached Sagentia with a specific task: develop a breakthrough LED lighting system for use in operating theatres. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Our first task was...

Is your company ready for the 2010 medical device directives?(FDA & REGULATIONS)
June 1, 2008... If your company manufactures medical devices for the European Market, the clock is ticking to address the changes coming into effect within the Medical Device Directive in 2010. In just over 18 months, companies that currently have a CE...

Phillips injects $2.6 million into MIM furnace.(BUSINESS NEWS FROM CONTRACT MANUFACTURERS)
June 1, 2008... Phillips Plastics Corp, Menomonie, Wisc. (phillipsplastics.com) has invested $2.6 million in a new Elino Metal Injection Molding (MIM) furnace to increase its capacity for clients in need of several million parts per year. The German-made...

Austrian firm invests in tiny Squiggle motor.(BUSINESS NEWS FROM CONTRACT MANUFACTURERS)
June 1, 2008... AustriaMicro-Systems, a designer and manufacturer of analog ICs for medical, industry, and automotive applications, and New Scale Technologies Inc., Victor N.Y. (newscale.com) developer and manufacturer of miniature motion systems and the...

Implant-manufacturer sites meet ISO 13485.(BUSINESS NEWS FROM CONTRACT MANUFACTURERS)
June 1, 2008... MediTech Medical Polymers, a manufacturer of polymers for orthopedic implants, says its U.S. and U.K. manufacturing operations have been certified to ISO 13485:2003. The Fort Wayne, Ind.-based company (meditechpolymers.com) says its...

Premier receives Impact Award from Harris RF.(BUSINESS NEWS FROM CONTRACT MANUFACTURERS)
June 1, 2008... Premier Semiconductor Services, Tempe, Ariz. (premiers2.com) won the 2007 Harris Impact Award from Harris RF, Rochester, N.Y. (harris.com). The Impact Award is given each year to companies that have had a significant and positive impact on...

Advanced ceramics ready for use.(BUSINESS NEWS FROM CONTRACT MANUFACTURERS)
June 1, 2008... Kyocera Industrial Ceramics Corp., Vancouver, Wash. (americas.kyocera.com) says it will be the North American representative of Japan Medical Materials Corporation (JMM) for the sales of its biocompatible ceramic-structural components used in...

Considerations for surface coatings: surface coatings that contain a natural lubricant help make disposable medical devices biocompatible and easier to use.(MEDICAL MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY)
June 1, 2008... Surface coating is a finishing operation often required for disposable medical devices that will be used for tasks such as inserting tubes or catheters into blood vessels. The correct coating enhances lubricity, drug elution, biocompatibility,...

Motion control in medical imaging systems.(MOTION CONTROL)
June 1, 2008... Demand for medical-imaging systems continues growing around the globe. As a result, imaging OEMs are turning to motion-control platforms that help control costs, streamline production on a global basis, and provide systems capable of delivering...

Package testing as risk management.(PACKAGING WRAP-UP)
June 1, 2008... The FDA would like device companies to think more about the risk of something going wrong from design to packaging and then work to minimize that risk. One way is by maintaining what the agency describes as good manufacturing practices. But as...

An intro to medical ceramics.(DESIGNING WITH ADVANCED MATERIALS)
June 1, 2008... Ceramic components have a reputation for handling the heat that would melt steel, and for being relatively easy to form if precision is not critical. But a recent family of ceramics is said to add to those features high purity, durability, and...

Padlock keeps tubing safe.(TODAY'S TUBING TECHNOLOGY)
June 1, 2008... Healthcare-associated infections are a staggering cause of increased provider costs and morbidity in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) consider healthcare-associated infections in the top ten leading causes...

Microprocessor includes LCD screen control.(ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS)
June 1, 2008... Liquid-crystal displays (LCDs) with touch-screen interfaces have penetrated the consumer electronics market in the last couple years and are now ubiquitous. We see touch screens on Blackberries and at point-of-sale counters at the grocery...

Versatile coupler makes [O.sub.2] connections fast and reliable.(INNOVATIONS)
June 1, 2008... Hospitals and clinics now use two different types of oxygen cylinders (CGA 870 and CGA 540) in their cylinder racks. Of course, not all valves can handle both cylinders. So medical establishments must either install new racks or purchase...

How to tell if a device is really clean: there are several ways to check medical devices for their cleanliness after manufacturing. A little homework helps pick the right one.
June 1, 2008... Due to increased awareness of the potential dangers of residual manufacturing materials on medical devices, the FDA often requests documentation of a thorough validation of how residual materials were cleaned from newly manufactured devices. An...

Picking the perfect pump: a basic overview of pumps and motors will help get the selection process rolling.
June 1, 2008... Designing medical devices that use pumps takes special know-how regarding vacuums, pressures, and how motors integrate into a design. In fact, there are so many variables in pump technology that most applications probably need custom-built...

Engineering plastics let OEMs cater to users: medical devices are moving out of hospitals and doctors' offices and into homes. Engineering plastics make the user-friendly, attractive devices possible.
June 1, 2008... Engineering plastics are a $8.4 billion industry in the U.S., and are projected to grow 3.5% annually through 2010, according to market researchers Freedonia Group, Cleveland, Ohio, (www.freedonia-group.com). Typically, the materials are chosen...

Spotlight on antimicrobial plastics.
June 1, 2008... A study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates there were 4.5 hospital infections for every 100 patient admissions and nearly 100,000 deaths from hospital infection in 2002. Recent studies indicate the rate is increasing...

Spotlight on radiation shielding.
June 1, 2008... While medical devices are currently not included within the scope of RoHS regulations, the European Commission plans to present proposals for including them. Industry sources indicate they could be regulated as early as 2010. "Many of our...

Spotlight on TPEs.
June 1, 2008... Global demand for thermoplastic elastomers will grow 6.2% annually through 2009, driven by direct displacement of competitive materials and by over-molds onto rigid plastic and metal, according to the Freedonia Group, Cleveland, Ohio. Part of...

Offshoring to Central America: thinking about opening a manufacturing facility outside the U.S.? Those who have completed the journey have a few suggestions.(Company overview)
June 1, 2008... Not long ago Puerto Rico was the place to establish a manufacturing facility outside the U.S. to take advantage of low-cost labor and lower taxes. Then it was Ireland, then China. But things change fast in the 21st century. Costs are rising in...

Desktop power to 100W.(TECH SPOTLIGHT)
June 1, 2008... The MW159 series of 100-watt, external, switch-mode power supplies for medical applications is certified to IPX1 standards. Marketed under the Ault brand name, the MW159 is a single output family available in four voltages with power from 80 to...

Single and dual-output power.(TECH SPOTLIGHT)
June 1, 2008... The SMM201 medical grade switcher is part of the ZVS, High Efficiency Eagle II Family of medical power supplies. The high-density, low leakage, 200W medical power-supply features a 85 to 264 Vac input with active power-factor correction to...

Small, rugged power supplies for medical applications.(TECH SPOTLIGHT)
June 1, 2008... A catalog for medical and industrial applications shows the company's ac-to-dc converters with power from 5 to 30 watts and output from 3.3 to 28 Vdc. It includes isolated 1.5 W miniature dc/dc converters with factory-configurable outputs from...

Up to four single-phase UPSs in parallel.(TECH SPOTLIGHT Power Supplies)
June 1, 2008... The UniStar P series single-phase online Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) features powerful protection over a wide input voltage range. This true double-conversion UPS is available in 6, 8, and 10-kVA models, to protect from outages and...

Dc-to-dc converters work in high temperatures.(TECH SPOTLIGHT)
June 1, 2008... A line of dc-to-dc converters, the iHG series of 100W fully isolated, single output, half-brick devices, provide exceptional thermal performance using the industry standard half-brick footprint without a base plate. The modules are ideal for...

Clean power for lab equipment.(TECH SPOTLIGHT)
June 1, 2008... The FH series biomedical and laboratory-grade UPS protects valuable tests and scientific processes, assuring a high level of pure power required by analyzers, sequencers, diagnostic equipment, and gas chromatography/mass spectrometer...

HMI weighs only 2 lb.(PRODUCTS & SERVICES)
June 1, 2008... IndraControl VCH08 portable human-machine interface (HMI) makes it easier for machine operators to set up, run, and diagnose equipment, especially in medical material handling, line transfer, and manufacturing-cell applications. VCH08 devices...

Free online class covers medical quality systems.(PRODUCTS & SERVICES)
June 1, 2008... UC Irvine Extension will offer two online courses at no cost on the development, production and regulation of medical devices and pharmaceuticals. The courses, "Medical Quality Product Systems" and "Regulatory Requirements for Pharmaceuticals"...

Nickel magnetic beads.(PRODUCTS & SERVICES)
June 1, 2008... PureProteome nickel magnetic beads allow the fast and easy purification of polyhistidine-tagged recombinant proteins, a critical step in protein research for some devices. Patented process for magnetizing porous silica particles give...

Wire stripper speeds medical electrical work.(PRODUCTS & SERVICES)
June 1, 2008... The DCFV1 wire stripper removes film insulation (Formvar, nylon, polythermaleze, and varnish) from round magnet and enamel wires while its hand piece collects dust it makes. The variable speed unit takes insulation off without damaging the...

Load button measures light lab loads.(PRODUCTS & SERVICES)
June 1, 2008... Load Button LLB130 is a miniature weight sensor that comes in 5, 10, 25, and 50-lb capacities. It has a 0.38-in. OD and 0.13-in. height. Internal compensation means customers can cut the cable because it won't affect the unit's temperature...

Got an automation question? ask here.(PRODUCTS & SERVICES)
June 1, 2008... An engineering blog at misumiusa.com focuses on the latest mechanical component trends for assembly automation as would be needed for medical packaging equipment. The blog gives engineers a place to share opinions and ideas surrounding...

Package medical parts fast.(PRODUCTS & SERVICES)
June 1, 2008... The RapidPak RP-30 machine for medical packaging uses servomotors to eliminate need for compressed air. The machine has a high cycle rate, while providing precise motion. A servo-driven assist allows down-gauging film thickness. An Allen...

Laser scanner collects 28,000 points/sec.(PRODUCTS & SERVICES)
June 1, 2008... The RSI laser scanner helps develop medical models and works with MicroScribe 3D digitizers or portable articulated arm CMMs with 6 DOF touch probes. Data collection is said to be more like "spray painting," with the laser scanner collecting up...

Long-life air cylinder.(PRODUCTS & SERVICES)
June 1, 2008... A long-life air cylinder (linear actuator) is well suited for medical applications requiring long life and corrosion resistance. The 1-in. bore cylinders are made from brass or stainless steel with a clevis tail. Two composite bushings, one in...

Power cords and more in a week.(PRODUCTS & SERVICES)
June 1, 2008... Interpower Corp. says all its manufactured products now ship at a one-week lead time. Over 100,000 parts are in stock and no minimum order is required. Orders can be placed online and paper catalogs are available. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]...

Part inspection without destruction.(PRODUCTS & SERVICES)
June 1, 2008... The Metrotom industrial CT-scanning machine allows for the nondestructive inspection of medical part interiors. The component to be inspected is placed on a platform and then rotated 360[degrees] while the machine X-rays the part. Resulting...

Software builds CT images in minutes.(PRODUCTS & SERVICES)
June 1, 2008... AxRecon image reconstruction software is for medical imaging, security, and non-destructive testing. Computed tomography (CT) scanners often takes hours to generate images. The software reduces the needed time to minutes. AxRecon works with...

Fittings for proper torque.(PRODUCTS & SERVICES)
June 1, 2008... Click-N-Seal connection fittings prevent over-tightening to eliminate leaky connections in apparatuses such as intravenous-drip equipment. When the correct torque is reached, the installer can feel and hear a click and the fitting cannot...

Kit aligns machines to 0.0001 in.(PRODUCTS & SERVICES)
June 1, 2008... The Microgage Alignment Kit adjusts boring mills, aligns lathes and turning centers, adjusts barfeeders, and similar medical-device-manufacturing equipment. The device provides information on runout, centerline offset, parallelism,...

Software takes scan data to CFD.(PRODUCTS & SERVICES)
June 1, 2008... Software called 3-matic lets users reconstruct and manipulate scanned data, transforming it into a mesh ready for FEA or CFD. Users can also analyze physical objects, such as a bone or device, for which CAD data is unavailable or in which part...

UPS protects against outages.(PRODUCTS & SERVICES)
June 1, 2008... The Pulsar uninterruptible power supply (UPS) family is a double-conversion, online system for protecting most medical and industrial applications. During a power outage, the Pulsar protects connected equipment for up to five hours with...

Software helps design illumination systems.(PRODUCTS & SERVICES)
June 1, 2008... LightTools illumination design and analysis software has advanced modeling and analysis features that facilitate the design of complex lights, LEDs, and displays. For example, a ray-path feature makes it easy to identify what system elements...

Magnetic encoders.(PRODUCTS & SERVICES)
June 1, 2008... Magnetic encoders bring high performance, armored construction, simple mounting system, small size, and low purchase price to applications for motor control, shaft position, and speed measurements on medical equipment. The solid-state On-Axis...

Creating a globally harmonized quality system.(MEETINGS & SHOWS)(Calendar)
June 1, 2008... July 16 and 17 - Compliance-Alliance and Underwriters Laboratories present a day-and-a-half workshop on designing a quality system that complies with the requirements of multiple regulatory authorities. During the course, representatives of the...

Opportunities for next-generation implants.(MEETINGS & SHOWS)(Calendar)
June 1, 2008... Aug 5 to 7 - The 2008 Materials and Processes for Medical Devices Conference, hosted by Cleveland Clinic and ASM International, will bring together the diverse innovators who envision, create, and apply devices for cardiovascular, orthopaedic,...

Nvision 08.(MEETINGS & SHOWS)(Calendar)
June 1, 2008... Aug 25 to 27 - This event brings together engineers, designers, developers, and researchers from every field of computer graphics. The conference will be a gathering place to share, learn, and create for this important industry which is...

Commercialization of micro and nano systems conference.(MEETINGS & SHOWS)(Conference news)(Calendar)
June 1, 2008... Aug 31 to Sept 4 - The micro and nano systems tech community gathers at COMS conferences to learn from others, share their knowledge, and discuss and debate points of view. COMS is the oldest and most widely attended international conference on...

Medical Day at IMTS.(MEETINGS & SHOWS)(Calendar)
June 1, 2008... Sept. 8 to 13 - On Sept. 12 stop by the Innovation Center at the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) for Medical Day. In one activity, an industry market research and consulting firm, Frost & Sullivan, will review the steps to...

MEDi 2008.(MEETINGS & SHOWS)(Calendar)
June 1, 2008... Sept 9 and 10 - This medical-device conference and exhibition will feature an extensive four-track conference program. Developed and produced by the BioMedical Engineering Alliance & Consortium, the conference will focus on research, science,...

Medical-grade polymers 2008.(MEETINGS & SHOWS)(Calendar)
June 1, 2008... Sept 16 and 17 - This year's Medical Grade Polymers 2008 brings together experts to discuss topics such as material selection, metal replacement, injection molding, extrusion, assembly, FDA approvals, and healthcare trends. ...

Medical quality product systems.(MEETINGS & SHOWS)(Calendar)
June 1, 2008... UC Irvine Extension is offering a free, online course as a part of the University's OpenCourseWare initiative. Medical Quality Product Systems lets life science professionals from around the world better understand the circumstances under which...

Kid-friendly exam rooms.(RECOVERY ROOM)
June 1, 2008... When Ann Kochsiek's son, Ry, was diagnosed with leukemia at age 4, he spent a lot of time at the hospital for treatments. Ann decided that these rooms "cold, scary, and very unfriendly" for children. Ann designed and patented several...

Aquatic recreation for quadriplegics.(RECOVERY ROOM)
June 1, 2008... It's been 25 years since San Luis Obispo resident Bryan Gingg paddled a kayak--he was paralyzed in an auto accident in 1982, losing the use of his arms and legs. That changed last month when Gingg maneuvered a specially adapted kayak on this...