Medical Design articles from May 2006

Medical Design archives from May 2006

Caplugs.(CORPORATE PROFILE)
May 1, 2006... Caplugs has been a leader in the product protection industry for more than 55 years, offering the widest range of low cost, disposable caps, plugs and product protectors for a variety of medical device applications. Caplugs closures are made of...

COMSOL Inc.(CORPORATE PROFILE)
May 1, 2006... COMSOL supplies mathematical modeling software which enables engineers, scientists, and researchers to quickly and accurately conduct simulations of just about any physics-based components, systems, and processes. This virtual prototyping is...

Sensor manufacturer expands clean room, testing capabilities.(NEWS FROM / Contract Manufacturers)
May 1, 2006... Endevco Corp., San Juan Capistrano, Calif,. a Meggitt group company, (endevco.com), will expand and upgrade its microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) production facility in Sunnyvale, Calif. The maker of vibration, shock, and pressure...

Medical supply maker creates respiratory division.(NEWS FROM / Contract Manufacturers)
May 1, 2006... Medline, Mundelein, Ill., a manufacturer and distributor of medical supplies, (medline.com) has launched a new respiratory division to meet the growing demand for respiratory products and services. Dennis Cook, president of the new division,...

Engineering centers meet need for advanced power management.(NEWS FROM / Contract Manufacturers)
May 1, 2006... ON Semiconductor, Phoenix, (onsemi.com) opened Solutions Engineering Centers (SEC) in Portland, Ore. and Taipei, Taiwan. These facilities are located near existing customers' facilities and will expand ON Semiconductor's local service...

Ceramic and electronics makers plan collaboration.(NEWS FROM / Contract Manufacturers)
May 1, 2006... Morgan Electro Ceramics, a manufacturer of electro-ceramic products, (morganelectroceramics.com) has agreed to a joint marketing effort with Apex Microtechnology, a designer and manufacturer of power analog electronics (apexmicrotech. com). The...

It's easy being green on this website.(NEWS FROM / Contract Manufacturers)
May 1, 2006... Rogers Corp. , Rogers, Conn., (rogerscorporation. com) has created a "Green Leader" website (rogersgreenworld.com), with information on Rogers' environmentally friendly specialty materials, and related subjects. Rogers' environmental products...

TLP named Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year.(NEWS FROM / Contract Manufacturers)
May 1, 2006... The 2005 Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year Award for companies with less than 49 employees went to Tailored Label Products, Waukesha (tailoredlabel.com). The more than 20-year old company produces labels and die-cut adhesives for applications...

Fridge transports medical supplies.(DESIGN Solutions)
May 1, 2006... FridgeFreeze refrigerators helps transport vaccines, blood, and medical supplies. The refrigerators come in standard temperature ranges (33 to 46[degrees]F, 11 to 38[degrees]F, and -7 to 18[degrees]F) and work on ac, dc, solar, and battery...

Software solves more than equations.(DESIGN Solutions)
May 1, 2006... Mathematica 5.2 software solves differential equations and numerical models, and it simulates chemical reactions along with complex biological systems. The software connects to enterprise databases, works with legacy Java, C++, XMI, .NET, and...

Software automates fax workflows.(DESIGN Solutions)
May 1, 2006... CareFax, a Web-based, HIPAA-compliant application, lets healthcare organizations automate work flows associated with creating, sending, receiving, and handling faxes. The application authenticates content and incorporates the USPS Electronic...

Multiphysics simulations allow larger models.(DESIGN Solutions)
May 1, 2006... Comsol Multiphysics 3.2a runs on Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, which supports 128 Gbytes of RAM and 16 Tbytes of virtual memory. This lets users handle large multiphysics simulations on standard PCs. Optional modules add tools for MEMS,...

Teach yourself CAM.(DESIGN Solutions)
May 1, 2006... SolidProfessor provides self-paced multimedia instruction for CAMWorks, NC software that works in SolidWorks for machining molded parts from solid models. The courses include CAMWorks Mill Fundamentals and SolidWorks Core Concepts. The...

System monitors plastic-injection machines.(DESIGN Solutions)
May 1, 2006... The QuickShot Monitoring System handles production-monitoring, scheduling, and reporting for plastic-injection machines and comes in 12, 24, and 36-machine configurations. The system is set-up for easy, self-installation in one industrial...

Wire EDM software includes CAD.(DESIGN Solutions)
May 1, 2006... Mastercam X Wire CAD/CAM software has a CAD engine that lets users create geometry and make modifications. The software includes 2D and 3D CAD with wireframe and surface modeling. Associative dimensions update toolpaths with changes to models....

Bush life 27 x previous design.(DESIGN Solutions)
May 1, 2006... A self-adjusting Power Linear Bush has higher load capacity and longer service life than conventional linear bushings. The bush has cages made of a synthetic resin that continually lubricate the rolling elements. The unit also has a hardened...

Text helps learn solid modeler.(DESIGN Solutions)
May 1, 2006... Doctor Walt's SolidWorks 2006 Workbook by Walter Silva combines an easy-reading style and clear screen captures with dozens of practical examples to streamline learning the software. Hundreds of illustrations of part-modeling, assemblies, and...

Linear actuators work with precision.(DESIGN Solutions)
May 1, 2006... The ZBX Series anti-backlash assembly is a linear actuator for applications requiring position accuracy and repeatability at a minimum cost. The design's inherent damping make it well suited for vertical applications requiring noise or...

Software assists designing plastic gears.(DESIGN Solutions)
May 1, 2006... Plastic gear design is part of the developer's Integrated Gearing Software and uses TK Solver to crunch the numbers. Users start with a template and begin typing in the data they do know about the gear train, for example, the speed or torque,...

NFPA air cylinders stroke to 48-in.(DESIGN Solutions)
May 1, 2006... A broad line of NFPA interchangeable air cylinders features oversized nonmetallic, composite rod bearings for maximum load support, wear resistance, and cycle life. The cylinders are available in all the widely used NFPA mounting styles, with...

Adhesive dispenser works fast.(DESIGN Solutions)
May 1, 2006... The 2400 Dispensing Workstation quickly and precisely applies UV and light-cure adhesives in benchtop-assembly operations. The workstation increases productivity and quality by using a precision air regulator and microprocessor-controlled timer...

Ultra-pure water on demand.(DESIGN Solutions)
May 1, 2006... The Simplicity water system is easy to install and produces ultrapure water on demand from pretreated water (Elix system, distilled, deionized or reverse-osmosis water). It produces less than five liters per day making it suitable for the...

How to Web connect (almost) any device.(DESIGN Solutions)
May 1, 2006... WiPort lets designers easily add secure, wireless 802.11b/g networking and web services into almost any electronic device. The WiPort b/g includes a real-time OS, a full-featured network protocol stack, and a proven, ready-to-use...

Software protects files.(DESIGN Solutions)
May 1, 2006... Pinion Desktop Packager lets engineers and purchasing agents maintain control over how CAD data and related engineering information is used by recipients inside and outside the corporate firewall. Engineers share data with partners, vendors,...

Dual-axis motor controller connects fast.(DESIGN Solutions)
May 1, 2006... The dual-axis EZHR17EN Stepper Motor Controller + Driver assists with rapid off-the-shelf implementation in miniature applications. Measuring just 1.6 x 1.6 in., the high-resolution intelligent stepper motor controller and driver with encoder...

Controller lets devices talks to each other.(DESIGN Solutions)
May 1, 2006... Two 68K/ColdFire microcontroller product families handle tasks from remote data collection and security enhancements to home automation and environmental monitoring. The MCF5223x device family is the first 32-bit microcontroller to deliver a...

PCB CAD speeds design work.(DESIGN Solutions)
May 1, 2006... CircuitSpace V1.5, user-assisted PCB component placement software, boosts productivity of PCB designers. V1.5 improves auto-clustering and replication technologies, and expands in areas of template libraries, automatic bypass-capacitor...

Swiss power cords and cordsets.(DESIGN Solutions)
May 1, 2006... Swiss 10 A power cords and cordsets are for equipment rated up 10 A with service at 250 Vac. They are approved to the SEV, Electrosuisse SEV 1011:98, CH-Type 12, Standard-Sheet SEV 6534-2. The units are available from stock with 1.00 [mm.sup.2]...

Guidelines for applying assembly fluids: compact benchtop equipment places adhesives and lubricants in drops as small as 0.004-in. diameter with repeatable accuracy.
May 1, 2006... Even the best of operators can't control exactly how much assembly fluid they put on components with squeeze bottles, hand syringes, and swabs during medical-device production. Pneumatic fluid dispensers eliminate this problem by using a...

DuPont.(CORPORATE PROFILE)
May 1, 2006... Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and...

Eagle Stainless Tube & Fabrication Inc.(CORPORATE PROFILE)
May 1, 2006... Who we are: Founded in 1982 Franklin, Massachusetts based Eagle Stainless Tube & Fabrication, Inc. is celebrating its 24th year of operation serving customers in medical, aerospace and high tech manufacturing. With a record of on-time...

Your role in the nursing shortage.(MEDICAL Edge)
May 1, 2006... My wife recently gave me a tour of the nursing facilities at the community college where she teaches. Its 16-bed training lab looks like a real hospital. The setup includes state-of-the-art Hill Rom beds each with a mannequin patient, and...

EFD, Inc.: medical device manufacturers turn to EFD for fluid dispensing solutions.(CORPORATE PROFILE)
May 1, 2006... Medical device manufacturers throughout the world rely on EFD's precision dispensing systems to apply assembly fluids in controlled, repeatable amounts. Our customers find that consistent application of cyanoacrylates, adhesives, epoxies,...

How connectors help reinvent medical devices.(ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS)
May 1, 2006... The competitive field of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is a $3 billion market growing 15 to 25% annually. The growth rate is no surprise because MIS promises less pain and shorter recoveries. (On the afternoon of back surgery, I was up and...

Fischer Connectors.(CORPORATE PROFILE)
May 1, 2006... Fischer Connectors engineers and manufactures circular connectors for use in demanding medical applications. The company, ISO 9001 certified, offers more than 30 sealed and unsealed body types for cable and panel mounting. Contact...

Hypertronics Corporation.(CORPORATE PROFILE)
May 1, 2006... Hypertronics Corporation has delivered high-reliability interconnects to the medical industry for the last 35 years. Its contacts, connectors, cable assemblies and embedded electronics facilitate medical trends toward less invasive procedures,...

Got film? Digital X-ray machines don't need it. Digital X-ray detectors and processors can spit out images in as little as 7 seconds and with less exposure to patients.
May 1, 2006... Advances in digital imaging systems such as MRI and multi-slice CT scanners might lead one to think X-rays are an outdated mode of imaging. Quite the opposite. Digital X-ray systems combine speed and good image quality and are set to make film...

The MDMA wants you.(INDUSTRY Viewpoint)
May 1, 2006... Not long ago the word "cancer" was a death sentence. Just since the mid 1990's, the survival rate for all types of cancer has increased and given people hope against this deadly disease. Technologically sound innovations have been the driving...

Biosensors let atomic force microscopes "see" more.(INNOVATIONS)
May 1, 2006... Atomic force microscopes (AFM) detect and record the topology of cells and tissues at nano-scale resolutions. Scanning electrochemical microscopy, on the other hand, detects chemical and biological activity on a similar scale. Until recently,...

Bag keeps blood clean.(INNOVATIONS)
May 1, 2006... Traditionally, blood had to be moved from one container to another as it was collected, freeze-dried, stored, then reconstituted. Each time blood changed containers, it was exposed to the air and possible contamination. A new blood bag...

Machining in miniature: tools as small as 0.0001-in. diameter let contract manufacturers machine parts with features smaller than you think.
May 1, 2006... Manufacturing tiny medical components can be tricky. Parts can have features that measure less than 100 micron--about that of a human hair. At such fine scales, the physics of materials are different than they are in the macro realm. For...

Think chemical milling for flat metal parts.(MEDICAL MANUFACTURING UPDATE)
May 1, 2006... Chemical milling produces complex parts from hundreds of alloys in sheet or flat form and without imparting physical stresses on the materials or altering their ductility, hardness, grain structure, temper, or magnetic properties. This makes...

Do's and don'ts for designing molded parts.(MEDICAL MANUFACTURING UPDATE)
May 1, 2006... Even seasoned engineers often overlook rules and make mistakes when designing plastic parts. Such errors can result in excessive cost, extended schedules, or reduced output, according to UFE Inc., Stillwater, Minn. , (ufeinc.com). The company's...

An introduction to designing with Nitinol.(MEDICAL MATERIALS NEWS)
May 1, 2006... Most technical people know that if you tangle a sample Nitinol wire and then hold it under warm water, it almost jumps back into its original shape. But did you know that the demo wire was alloyed for water temperatures of about 50[degrees]C...

Marubeni Citizen-Cincom Inc.(CORPORATE PROFILE)
May 1, 2006... Marubeni Citizen-Cincom Inc., best known for their high precision and highly versatile Swiss-type turning centers, continues to grow their product line to serve medical parts manufacturers. These machines range from 4 to 32 mm in workpiece...

Desktop sterilizer works in 28 minutes.(Machine Of The Month)
May 1, 2006... Getting a quick and effective sterilization close to the OR has been a challenge. Eto gas is certainly effective but it's hazardous and takes hours to work. Even relatively benign steam can warp some plastics and is not as effective. A...

Test your hot idea in the thermal lab.(INDUSTRY News)
May 1, 2006... Design kits for flexible heaters and noninvasive sensors let engineers solve thermal problems early in development cycles. Heater and sensor manufacturer Minco, Minneapolis, (minco.com) designed the kits to give engineers a structured way to...

Medical Design & Manufaturing[R] MD&M East.(SHOW PREVIEW)
May 1, 2006... The East Coast's largest design and manufacturing event returns to the Javits Convention Center in New York City June 6 to 8, 2006. Medical Design & Manufacturing (MD&M) East's major pavilions and the Automation Technology Expo (ATX East) will...

Compact, high-speed robots.(SHOW PREVIEW)
May 1, 2006... High-speed four, five, and six-axis robots have reaches from 350 to 1,300 mm for payloads of up to 20 kg. Repeatability is as low as [+ or -] 0.015 mm. Standard and cleanroom (Class 10 and Class 100) models are available to accommodate many...

2006 Medical Design Excellence Awards.(INDUSTRY News)
May 1, 2006... The ninth annual Medical Design Excellence Awards (MDEA) recognizes achievements of medical device manufacturers, their suppliers, and the many people behind the scenes, including engineers, scientists, designers, and clinicians responsible for...

VMC ideal for medical components.(SHOW PREVIEW PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2006... The 30-taper RoboDrill E offers high-speed milling, fast drilling and tapping, and high-speed deburring. It is capable of rigid tapping to 8,000 rpm, peck tapping for blind holes, high-speed reverse tapping (up to twenty times faster than...

Adhesives cure with visible light.(SHOW PREVIEW PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2006... Loctite Visible Light Cure technology relies solely on visible light to deliver safe, efficient, immediate cure for a broad array of medical device assemblies. The technology includes a range of adhesives and dispensing and curing equipment...

Laser welds, cuts, and marks complex devices.(SHOW PREVIEW PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2006... LSA Laser offers precision laser welding, and cutting of tubing, ribbon, and round wire for use in defibrillation leads, stents, catheterization subassemblies, and surgical instruments. LSA complies with ISO 13485:2003 quality standards and can...

PVC-free urethanes for cushioning.(SHOW PREVIEW PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2006... Poron medical urethanes are free of PVC and latex, and do not contain solvents. They are medium density and open celled, breathable and fungal resistant, and offer lasting comfort, durability, and biocompatibility. The urethanes are...

FDA unveils critical path initiative.(Regulations & FDA)
May 1, 2006... Health and Human Services (HHS) and the FDA have released a list of priority research projects that should advance innovation in medical products. The announcement of the Critical Path Opportunities List signals the next major step in FDA's...

Letters to the editor.(INDUSTRY News)(Letter to the editor)
May 1, 2006... Regarding national healthcare (Medical Design, March): I'm against it. My figures suggest there are less than 3,000,000 uninsured (without health insurance). But still, the more the federal government gets involved with healthcare the worse...

Memry Corporation.(CORPORATE PROFILE)
May 1, 2006... With over twenty years success in supporting a wide variety of platforms in a number of diverse markets and applications, Memry Corporation is a recognized global leader in the field of superelastic shape memory alloy technology. Our customers...

Long ball screw hits 96 m/min.(MOTION CONTROL NEWS)
May 1, 2006... The AGK ball-screw drive unit from Bosch Rexroth Corp.'s Linear and Motion Assembly Technologies Group, Charlotte, N.C., (boschrexroth-us.com) adds ball-screw precision and boosts speed for extended length applications. A high-performance ball...

Positioning package comes ready to work.(MOTION CONTROL NEWS)
May 1, 2006... PROmech series of linear actuators helps OEMs reduce overall installed cost for linear motion axes because they come completely assembled and tested. The series, from Parker Hannifin Corp., Irwin, Pa., (parkermotion.com/promech), includes...

Processor lets machines talk it up.(MOTION CONTROL NEWS)
May 1, 2006... PLC-5 series F Ethernet processors from Rockwell Automation, Mayfield Heights, Ohio (rockwell.com) boost network throughput and expand data collection and messaging capabilities in Ethernet applications. The processors are designed for use with...

Material tells of package tampering.(PACKAGING WRAP-UP)
May 1, 2006... A study presented at HealthPack 2006 by acrylic sheet manufacturer CYRO Industries, Dallas, (cyro.com) examines the challenges of rigid medical packaging and provides a comparative material analysis of acrylic-based multipolymers and...

Many axes let X-ray inspector see everything.(PACKAGING WRAP-UP)
May 1, 2006... The multi-axis Concept FX inspection system boasts a high-resolution X-ray. The equipment, from FocalSpot Inc., San Diego, (focalspot.com) features a 20 x 24-in. no-clamp sample tray and 6-axes for sample manipulation and flexible configuration...

Larger pillows from void-fill machine.(PACKAGING WRAP-UP)
May 1, 2006... The AirPouch division of Automated Packaging Systems, Streetsboro, Ohio, (airpouch.com) introduced larger air-pillow sizes for its Express 3 Void-Fill System. The electrically driven, portable unit requires no compressed air to inflate...

Phillips Plastics Corporation.(CORPORATE PROFILE)
May 1, 2006... Serving original equipment manufacturers in virtually every market since 1964, Phillips Plastics Corporation has established itself as one of the premiere sources for the design and manufacture of custom plastic and metal injection molded...

Fan-cooled power supplies hit 200 W peak.(Product Spotlight Power Supplies)
May 1, 2006... A series of 200 W peak power supplies with an integral variable-speed, temperature-controlled fan is an extension of Lambda's NV-175 family. Because of their low noise and compact size the single and multiple power supplies are suited for a...

Ac/dc converters are lead free.(Product Spotlight Power Supplies)
May 1, 2006... Standard lead-free power supplies range from 5 to 15 W, with universal input and 3.3 to 24 V output. They are noted for their rugged design and wide full-load operating temperature range of -40 to 70[degrees]C. Both PCB-mountable and...

Uninterruptible power supplies keep the network up.(Product Spotlight Power Supplies)
May 1, 2006... Version 2.0 of the NterpriseIP system is the first ac-powered dc uninterruptible power supply (UPS) intended for converged networks. Version 2.0 also meets the Cisco Technology Developer Partner Program test criteria for interoperability with...

High isolation dc/dc converters rate RoHS compliance.(Product Spotlight: Power Supplies)
May 1, 2006... The Tracopower TMV and TMV-EN Series of miniature SIP dc/dc converters are for applications with high-isolation requirements. The series handle input voltages of 5, 12, or 24 Vdc (TMV only) with 5, 12, and 15 Vdc single or dual output voltages....

Putnam Plastics Company.(CORPORATE PROFILE)
May 1, 2006... Celebrating twenty years as the recognized thought leader in the field of medical tubing, Putnam Plastics Company has established itself as an innovative problem solver in responding to critical component challenges in the medical device...

Wireless locating and tracking.(RECOVERY Room)
May 1, 2006... Attendees of this year's TEPR Conference and Exhibit will be "tracked" as part of a wireless location and tracking demonstration being staged by Patient Care Technology Systems, Parco Wireless, and Medical Records Institute (MRI). The first...

Interactive electricity timeline.(RECOVERY Room)
May 1, 2006... The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) has launched an interactive Techline on its Web site showing the scientists and inventors who have made major contributions to the development of electricity and electronics. This overview...

Rogers Corporation.(CORPORATE PROFILE)
May 1, 2006... Rogers offers more innovative solutions for healthcare Who we are: Rogers Corporation, headquartered in Rogers, CT, U.S.A., develops and manufactures high-performance specialty materials, which serve a diverse range of markets...

Sparta Systems, Inc.(CORPORATE PROFILE)
May 1, 2006... Sparta Systems, Inc. is the maker of TrackWise, the life sciences industry standard for enterprise quality and regulatory compliance management solutions. TrackWise is a fully-configurable, web-based quality management software system that...

Data management systems do more than you think; the ideal data-management system would be a constantly vigilant inspector. Is that asking too much from QA software?
May 1, 2006... Regulatory agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration continue to aggressively modernize regulations and increase expectations for tangible quality controls in the medical-device industry. The FDA has developed increasingly stronger...

Steute Meditech: where medical miracles start from the ground up.(CORPORATE PROFILE)
May 1, 2006... Founded in 1961, and Headquartered in Lohne/Westphalia, Germany our medical unit business evolved from more than 40 years in the industrial foot control market. With the emergence of the Medical Device Directive in 1996 and other relevant...

Top 10 medical tubing and hose-buying errors--and solutions.(TODAY'S TUBING TECHNOLOGY)
May 1, 2006... Ever order hundreds of feet of plastic tubing or hose and then found it inappropriate for the application? And was the equipment unusable or production halted while waiting for a replacement product? If so, the following tips can help avoid...

A better way to design thermal controls: developing a control system requires a disciplined approach that exposes its limitations so they can be corrected before costs and schedules go out of control.
May 1, 2006... The best time to design a control system by trial-and-error is when the system will be simple, "just like the last one," or when there is no time for a full development cycle. The obvious advantage to the approach is a relatively small...