Medical Design articles from November 2006

Medical Design archives from November 2006

It's time to flatten the FDA.(MEDICALEdge)
November 1, 2006... No, I don't mean with a right hook or an uppercut. Just make the FDA and other health authorities around the world adopt the same rules to promote better healthcare. It's a tall order, but about time, according to AdvaMed Executive VP Ralph...

Smart pacemaker: avoids unnecessary pacing.(INDUSTRYNews)
November 1, 2006... An implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) contains an algorithm that prevents unnecessary ventricular pacing and shocks. Generally, ICDs work by quickly detecting life-threatening, rapid heartbeats, or ventricular tachyarrhythmia, coming...

Wireless fortswitch controls several surgical devices.(INDUSTRYNews)
November 1, 2006... A wireless surgical control system lets surgeons in the OR control several pieces of equipment without the clutter and confusion caused by multiple wired switches. Applied Surgical LLC, Birmingham, Ala., (appliedsurgicalsolutions.com) built the...

FEA tells how much ice to cool kidneys for surgery.(INDUSTRYNews)
November 1, 2006... Clamping kidney blood vessels prior to surgery gives doctors a brief 30-minute window before ischemia damages the organ. Cooling the kidney, however, slows tissue deterioration due to lack of oxygen and extends surgery times. But how much...

Latest CAD: improves ergonomics and assemblies.(INDUSTRYNews)
November 1, 2006... The latest version of SolidWorks 2007 sports more than 200 new capabilities, among them special facilities for managing the creation of model features. Technology called SolidWorks Intelligent Feature Technology, or Swift, will, for example,...

FDA listens to advice from heart experts.(Regulations & FDA)
November 1, 2006... A task force within the Heart Rhythm Society (www.hrsonline.org) provided the FDA with a list of recommendations for the surveillance, analysis, and performance reporting of pacemakers and ICDs. The group recommended more public transactions,...

FDA wants feedback on combination products guidance.(Regulations & FDA)
November 1, 2006... The FDA is requesting comments on its new guidance for combination products called "Review of Agreements, Guidances, and Practices Specific to Assignment of Combination Products in Compliance With the Medical Device User Fee and Modernization...

Learn to run a cleanroom.(NEWS FROM CONTRACT MANUFACTURERS)
November 1, 2006... Baxa Corp., Englewood, Colo., baxa.com recently cut the ribbon on its $750,000 cleanroom teaching lab. The company says it built the training facility to guide those who work in cleanrooms in use of USP-797 Regulation for the Compounding of...

Medical center becomes a Research Park.(NEWS FROM CONTRACT MANUFACTURERS)
November 1, 2006... The former Fitzsimmons Army Medical Center in Denver has been transformed into Fitzsimmons Research Park, a 578-acre facility. Half the land will go to facilities that incubate bioscience companies. About 17 such companies are using the...

Byers peak buys fisher imaging.(NEWS FROM CONTRACT MANUFACTURERS)
November 1, 2006... Fischer Imaging Corp. has agreed to sell its RE & S business, which includes EP/SPX, VersaRad, and Bloom, to Byers Peak Inc., Wheat Ridge, Colo. (byerspeak.com), a contract manufacturer of electro-mechanical devices for medical companies....

Near perfect on-time bearing delivery.(NEWS FROM CONTRACT MANUFACTURERS)
November 1, 2006... Pacamor Kubar Bearings, Troy, NY, says it has an on-time order delivery of 99.4% for standard products. "These are usually shipped in less then six weeks after receipt of order," says Executive VP Edward Osta. The company (pacamor.com)...

Company adds a ninth cleanroom.(NEWS FROM CONTRACT MANUFACTURERS)
November 1, 2006... ATEK Medical Mfg., says it has added its ninth class-10,000 cleanroom to its facility in Grand Rapids, Mich. "The new room has a complete linear work flow to support our lean-manufacturing initiatives," says vice president Dave Mabie. The...

Think extrusions for custom medical tubing.(MEDICAL MANUFACTURING UPDATE)
November 1, 2006... A manufacturer of custom extruded thermoplastic tubing provides a range of products that includes most everything from implantables to instrument components. Upchurch Medical, Oak Harbor, Wash., (upchurchmedical.com) extrudes materials such as...

Rough with a Waterjet, not an EDM.(MEDICAL MANUFACTURING UPDATE)
November 1, 2006... MC Machinery Systems Inc., Wood Dale, IL, (www.mitsubishi-world.com) says its Waterjet line reduces production times by rough cutting material before parts get finished on EDMs. According to the company, roughing with a Waterjet instead of an...

Think optical scanning to check complex injection-molded parts.
November 1, 2006... Traditional inspection tools typically yield an incomplete assessment of injection-molded parts. Cross-sectional scanning (CSS) technology from CGI, Eden Prairie, Minn., (CGIinspection.com) inspects and reverse-engineers intricate...

Inserts machine stainless steel at high speed.(MEDICAL MANUFACTURING UPDATE)
November 1, 2006... New inserts with polished faces and cutting edges are intended for cutting stainless steel. The AC610M and AC630M grades from Sumitomo Electric Carbide Inc., Mount Prospect, IL, (sumicarbide.com) combine advanced substrates with wear-resistant...

Laser marker does not mar parts.(MEDICAL MANUFACTURING UPDATE)
November 1, 2006... A laser system lets users mark critical metal and plastic components without marring the surface finish. Electrox, Indianapolis, Ind., (www.electrox.com) says the Raptor system uses EF Technology that generates exceedingly short energy...

Linear guide runs fast and smooth to any length.(MOTION CONTROL NEWS)
November 1, 2006... A compact linear guide has proven reliable in challenging operating environments, according to developer Bishop Wisecarver Inc., Pittsburgh, Calif. bwc.com. UtiliTrak uses a three-wheel carriage assembly captured in a U-channel guide rail. The...

Slew-ring bearing fir for clean rooms.
November 1, 2006... A slew-ring bearing uses a sliding element made from iglide J plastic, and aluminum housing, and stainless steel screws. The iglide J material, from Igus Inc., East Providence, R.I., (igus.com) is said to eliminate maintenance and Iubrication....

A new era for circular encoders.(MOTION CONTROL NEWS)
November 1, 2006... An expanded series of angle encoders works on slew bearings and provides higher accuracies than previous models. Hollow-shaft ERA circular encoders from Heidenhain Inc., Shaumburg, Ill, (heidenhain.com) are said to come with high accuracy,...

Aseptic filler works for 72 hrs straight.(PACKAGING WRAP-UP)
November 1, 2006... A restricted access barrier system (Rabs isolator) provides for the aseptic packaging of milk and drinks. The isolator, the SAS 3 from Serac Inc, Carol Stream, Ill, (serac-group.com), increases productivity by working up to 72 hours without...

Research paper uncovers the world of packaging.(PACKAGING WRAP-UP)
November 1, 2006... Constant packaging innovation is a key to success and expect to see wider use of plastic packages in healthcare product says the latest Global Outlook on Plastic Packaging. The report, from Researchandmarkets.com, Ireland, includes statistical...

A filler for small lots.(PACKAGING WRAP-UP)
November 1, 2006... A line of bench top, semiautomatic filling systems works well for small-batch manufacturing often found in, for example, laboratories and R & D facilities, according to developer National Instrument LLC, Baltimore, (filamatic.com). Their system...

Display cart uses long fiber and wear compounds instead of metal.(MEDICAL MATERIALS NEWS)
November 1, 2006... Rather than use metal in its digital display mounts, Ergotron uses long fiber and wear compounds from RTP Co., Winona, Minn., (rtpcompany.com) to improve efficiency of its LX large display cart. Ergotron says RTP's materials improve performance...

Podcasts deliver unfiltered info on filtration.(MEDICAL MATERIALS NEWS)
November 1, 2006... How would you produce just the right amount of ultrapure water at the spot you needed it? Or, what can or can't membranes do for manufacturing tasks? Millipore Corp. has ideas and wants to share them with listeners through weekly podcasts and...

Impact-resistant laminate outperforms others.(MEDICAL MATERIALS NEWS)
November 1, 2006... A high-durability grade of 3D laminate called Kydex HD surpasses high-pressure laminates, melamines, and rigid thermofoils in resistance to surface and edge impact. The sheet grade from Kleerdex Co. LLC, Bloomsburg, Pa., (kydex.com), was...

Stay-set hoses hold air nozzles in place.(TODAY'S TUBING TECHNOLOGY)
November 1, 2006... Flexible stay-set hoses are ideal for applications in which an operator must frequently reposition an air nozzle. At the end of each production run, companies can quickly move air nozzles to new positions that closely match the profile of the...

Conductive tubing eliminates static charges.(TODAY'S TUBING TECHNOLOGY)
November 1, 2006... Conductive fluoroplastic tubing prevents build-up of static charges that might damage sensitive electronic devices. In addition, the tubing's anti-static properties prevent the attraction of dust and other particulates while offering increased...

Tubing extends pump life.(TODAY'S TUBING TECHNOLOGY)
November 1, 2006... Norprene chemical tubing is a high-performance coextrusion for sensitive fluid-transfer applications. Its inert ultra-smooth plasticizer-free bore resists the absorption and adsorption of aqueous fluids while the Norprene outer jacket provides...

Got a tubing question? Get an online answer.(TODAY'S TUBING TECHNOLOGY)
November 1, 2006... The FAQ section of New England Catheter Corp's., Web site (www.necatheter.com/faq.asp) answers questions about tubing. For example, it tells the difference between catheter and reinforced tubing, explains what the "Fr" stands for in tubing...

A primer on liquid level sensing technologies.(ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS)
November 1, 2006... Medical equipment, especially diagnostic instruments, work with a multitude of fluids. There are liquid levels to monitor from reagent containers to waste tanks. New and innovative sensors are needed to handle these jobs. Fortunately, there are...

Nanoprobe captures biochemistry and topology.(INNOVATIONS)
November 1, 2006... Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology have made a probe that detects the biochemical makeup, as well as the complex topology, of biologic samples. Previous probes could only detect one or the other, and in many instances, the cells...

Don't just validate a product's sterilization, "adopt" it: product adoption is an often overlooked idea that could save medical-device makers thousands.
November 1, 2006... Validating the sterilization process for a new medical device can take more than eight weeks and cost thousands. Companies will have to supply several packaged samples, which is not a big deal if you're talking about a device that will be made...

The changing shape of electrochemical etching: electrochemical etching puts ultra-sharp edges on biopsy cutters and small, sharp points on.
November 1, 2006... Electrochemical etching has come a long way since it first targeted large aerospace and automotive components in the 1940s. Recent improvements to the mature technology have made possible the manufacture of miniature medical devices with...

A few pointers for selecting pumps: pressure and flow rate are just starters. selecting the right pump calls for a material-compatibility check, power requirements, and don't forget maintenance.
November 1, 2006... Newcomers to medical designs might think that a pressure and flow rate are enough to size a pump. Maybe in the industrial world. Medical devices, however, are a bit more demanding. So it's a good idea to review a medical pump's more involved...

Small circuits make small devices: flip chips keep neurostimulators small, making them easy to implant, monitor, and program.
November 1, 2006... Adevice the size of your thumb could help people suffering from disorders such as chronic pain, urinary incontinence, and limb dysfunction. Packing less than half the bulk of existing devices, the thumb-sized Micropulse is the tiniest...

I.V. filters are self priming.(Product Spotlight)
November 1, 2006... Self-priming adult I.V. filters are suited to applications such as aqueous and TPN solutions, drug delivery, and drug transfer. The filters are made of 1.2 micron PES membrane, and the vent material is 0.02 micron ePTFE membrane. They come with...

Female-to-female luer lock connectors.(Product Spotlight)
November 1, 2006... The wide-winged connector #13136 securely fastens two male-luer-lock components together quickly and easily. The ABS connector limits reagent reactions. Threads on the exterior collar provide torquing connections to the interior threads of...

Hydrophilic membranes compatible with most solvents.(Product Spotlight)
November 1, 2006... Omnipore membrane filters are compatible with most solvents, acids, and alkaline solutions. The filters come in 13, 25, and 47 mm cut disks in pore sizes from 0.1 to 10 [micro]m. The hydrophilic PTFE membrane is optimized for low drug and...

Venting membranes allow high air flow.(Product Spotlight)
November 1, 2006... The 5 [micro]m Gore medical membrane is intended for venting tasks that need high airflow and liquid resistance such as intravenous air elimination, ostomy pouch venting, and urine collection. To contain bulk liquids while allowing the free...

Vena cava filter goes into first patient.(Product Spotlight)
November 1, 2006... A Canadian radiologist has successfully performed the first human implantation of a retrievable vena cava filter. The Celect Vena Cava Filter was implanted in a 44-year old female patient hospitalized originally for kidney stones and readmitted...

Exchangers keep moisture out of tubing.(Product Spotlight)
November 1, 2006... The ME-Series moisture exchangers for breath-sample dryers, filters, and sample lines use priorietary Nafion technology to dry or humidify medical gas and breath-sample streams without altering gas composition and with no utility requirements....

Dispenser for superglue.(DESIGNSolutions)
November 1, 2006... The Ultra 2415 workstation improves product appearance, and eliminates rework and rejects. The workstation prevents variations in the size of adhesive deposits using a precisely timed air pulse instead of guesswork when determining how much...

Ruby balls ready for high-wear jobs.(DESIGNSolutions)
November 1, 2006... Miniature sapphire and ruby balls in 42 different inch and metric sizes from 0.1 mm to 0.5-in. dia. are well suited for high wear-resistant applications in precision instruments and devices. The balls feature precise sphericity with A.F.B.M.A...

Static and dynamic testers.(DESIGNSolutions)
November 1, 2006... ElectroPuls, a family of electrodynamic test instruments, sport state-of-the-art technologies that perform static and dynamic testing of a wide variety of materials and components. The instruments are powered from a single-phase electrical...

7U cube chassis ready for electronics.(DESIGNSolutions)
November 1, 2006... A manufacturer of electronic packaging products now makes a 7U Cube MicroTCA chassis. MicroTCA defines a modular backplane architecture to support redundant "pods" of AdvancedMC modules. These are front-removable mezzanine modules for use on...

Waterjet cuts multiple flat parts from hard and reflexive materials.(DESIGNSolutions)
November 1, 2006... The 80160 JetMachining waterjet with axis-travels up to 168 3 80 in. targets large or multiple parts from stock up to 6 3 14 ft. It cuts complex flat parts from materials including metal, plastic, glass, ceramics, and composites with an...

EDM machine for small dies and molds.(DESIGNSolutions)
November 1, 2006... The Roboform 350 MicroTEC die-sinking EDM targets the precise and rapid manufacture of small dies and molds. The machine modulates EDM power for maximum material removal and allows electrode undersizes as small as [+ or -]0.002 in. This...

Thermal interface greases with silicone and without.(DESIGNSolutions)
November 1, 2006... A line of thermal interface greases compliment the assortment of Sarcon thermal management materials. Recent additions include two silicone and two non-silicone formulations with high thermal conductivity and low thermal resistance. Thermal...

Is that sensor accurate? verification system tells.(DESIGNSolutions)
November 1, 2006... The VCal portable sensor-verification system is offered with all Futek products for quick in-house testing of load cells, torque, force, and pressure sensors. Many other calibration systems could be used for the same tasks, but they are large,...

Modular controller includes temperature and power control.(DESIGNSolutions)
November 1, 2006... The EZ-Zone ST integrated control loop combines temperature control, power control, safety shut-down, and power disconnect in a single package. It combines a PID temperature controller connected to a high-amperage, solid-state relay with the...

Miniature pumps run continuously.(DESIGNSolutions)
November 1, 2006... Series 8003 WOB-L piston pumps combine small size with smooth operation, extended service-free life, and can run continuously. Available for both pressure and vacuum applications, the pumps use long-life Teflon piston seals, heat-resistant...

Motion controller can be servo or stepper.(DESIGNSolutions)
November 1, 2006... The MC302X is a small DIN rail-mounted motion controller based on Trio's latest ARM processor technology. The controller features two axes, the first of which can be configured in software for either servo (with encoder feedback) or high-speed...

Bulls-eyes for medium-viscosity liquids.(DESIGNSolutions)
November 1, 2006... The VD510 diaphragm valve provides precise flow control of low-to-medium viscosity materials (under 10,000 cps). A stroke-adjustment knob fine tunes shot sizes. The 3.1-in. high valve weighs only 2.7 oz. making it ideal for stand-alone bench...

On-machine touch probes work for millions of cycles.(DESIGNSolutions)
November 1, 2006... Mida touch probes work on machine tools such as CNC lathes, machining centers, and grinding machines to check, set up, and inspect parts. The probes withstand harsh operating conditions such as chips and high-pressure coolant, and work for...

FEA closer to modeling the real world.(DESIGNSolutions)
November 1, 2006... Comsol Multiphysics 3.3 lets users perform simulations and virtual prototyping. Key features include ready-made couplings between common physics, and a more convenient user interface, interactive meshing, ways to merge components for models, an...

8-bit controllers for embedded applications.(DESIGNSolutions)
November 1, 2006... The PIC18F97J60 family is optimized for embedded applications, and has an on-chip Medium Access Controller (MAC) and Physical Layer Device (PHY). A 10BASE-T Ethernet controller is combined with a 10 MIPS PIC 18 microcontroller with up to 128...

250 Vac outlets ready for Swiss applications.(DESIGNSolutions)
November 1, 2006... The Interpower Swiss 16A dust and water-resistant outlet is for equipment rated to 16A with service at 250 Vac. They are approved by the SEV, Electrosuisse standard type 1011 sheet 5934. The RoHS-compliant Swiss outlet has a snap cover with an...

Polypropylene conducts current.(DESIGNSolutions)
November 1, 2006... High-flow conductive polypropylene compounds for thin-wall injection molding are increasingly important for making complex medical, electronic, and biotechnological devices. The compounds let liquid-handling systems detect, draw, and dispense...

Porous solid makes a great insulator.(DESIGNSolutions)
November 1, 2006... Aspen Aerogels are highly porous solids formed from a gel in which the liquid is replaced with a gas. Being over 95% air makes it an excellent insulator. The Aerogel insulation blanket is 2 to 8 times more effective than conventional...

Power cables for many countries.(DESIGNSolutions)
November 1, 2006... Power cables and cable accessories are available in a variety of plug styles and lengths. There are over 30 stock versions, including NEMA 5-15P to IEC C19, NEMA L6-20P to IEC C19, and European Shucko to IEC C19 cord sets. Standard...

Backplane configurator speeds designs and drawings.(DESIGNSolutions)
November 1, 2006... Backplane Connector Configurator software lets Molex customers streamline the design for several complex products by creating technical drawings and bills of materials more quickly and efficiently. This lets Molex's industrial customers improve...

Let's wish gainsharing a speedy death.(INDUSTRYViewpoint)
November 1, 2006... There are a number of surgical options around widely prevalent conditions such as incontinence. It affects an estimated 25 million men and women across the U.S. As these individuals explore possible treatments they feel they are in good...

Meetings & shows.(Calendar)
November 1, 2006... Software design for medical devices Nov. 28 to 30 -- Safe medical-device software depends on sound software engineering practices that measure up to strict FDA standards and regulations. Learn proven techniques for properly designing and...

Dream Team in the game of life.(RECOVERYRoom)
November 1, 2006... When you hear the words Dream Team, what comes to mind? Of course, it's the 1992 U.S. Olympic basketball team, consisting of Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, etc. Well guys, move over because the Dream Team in the game of life is...

Old-fashioned remedies.(RECOVERYRoom)
November 1, 2006... Here are some old-time remedies that were once used to cure whatever ailed you. * To get rid of warts put the same number of rocks in a brown paper bag as you have warts. Lay the bag in the middle of a dirt road. If someone picks up the...