Recently added articles from Medical Device Technology:
MDT's five-minute interview.(the interview)(Interview)
May 01, 2009 ... Medical Device Technology's (MDT) series of interviews offers personal perspectives on the diverse and dynamic medical device technology industry. Here, we talk to Dr Bin He. Q If I wasn't talking to you right now, what would you be doing? A I would be discussing ...
Directive threatens the future of MRI.(this issue: Developments across the industry)
May 01, 2009 ... The European Commission (EC) is under pressure to amend the Physical Agents (EMF) Directive, which if adopted into national legislation in its current form, would restrict the use of MRI scanners in medical practice and research. The International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation ...
Heathcare boom on the way in China.(this issue: Developments across the industry)
May 01, 2009 ... The healthcare industry in China is set for a boom. Beijing has allocated 150 billion yuan (US$21.9 billion) of its US$500 billion stimulus package to health-related spending, reports Forbes. It has ambitious plans to make basic medical services more affordable and available to its 1.3 ...
Anticounterfeiting standards.(this issue: Developments across the industry)
May 01, 2009 ... ISO has set up two new committees to develop standards for tackling counterfeiting of material goods and fraud: ISO/PC 246, Anticounterfeiting Tools, and ISO/TC 247, Fraud Countermeasures and Control. Counterfeit products, which reportedly represent up to 10% of world trade, distort ...
The technology of bacterially derived polymers: twenty years ago, evidence of the lack of biodegradability in a family of supposedly biodegradable polymers caused the curtailment of interest in the potential commercial applications of this family. Now that has all changed following some innovative polymer chemistry and recombinant DNA technology.(material matters column)
May 01, 2009; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Polyhydroxyalkanoates I am writing this column while travelling to Beijing, China, where the host to some lectures I shall give will be Professor George Chen of Tsinghua University (www.tsinghua.edu.cn/eng/index.jsp). Professor Chen, who is a ...
A method for joining polymers and metals or polymers and ceramics: a recently developed laser fusion technique allows polymers to be attached to metals and ceramics in short cycle times. The process and its capabilities are reviewed together with its growing range of applications.(manufacturing)
May 01, 2009; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Connection issues Polymers are increasingly being used to replace metal parts in a variety of applications. Yet, metallic or ceramic components are still required for certain functions in a product and must be joined to the polymer parts with ...
Meetings.(Calendar)
May 01, 2009 ... Nanotechnology Developments for Nano-Electronic, Sensors and Systems 3 June 2009 Cardiff, UK www.nanoktn.com Hosted by the Nanotechnology Knowledge Transfer Network, the workshop offers delegates the opportunity to evaluate issues in the ...
Benefits of coextruded micro tubing.(manufacturing)
May 01, 2009; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Coextruded tubing products offer additional functions through multiple material combinations and facilitate secondary assembly processes. This article presents four applications in which coextruded micro tubings have solved problems and reaped significant ...
Software development resolving the conflict between speed and compliance.(design)
May 01, 2009; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The use of modern software tools and processes can make a significant contribution to developing reliable software for medical devices. These techniques can help bring products to market more rapidly and cost-effectively because the production of ...
Meeting US and European supplier control requirements.(regulation and standards column)
May 01, 2009; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Medical device manufacturers operating under European quality system requirements are sometimes surprised to learn that their supplier control procedures do not fully meet United States (US) requirements. This article discusses important differences ...
Laser micro machining of medical devices: excimer and increasingly ultra-short-pulsed lasers are important tools in the creation of microstructures and nanostructures. Capabilities of the latest systems are described, which include drilling 30-[micro]m diameter holes in 50 to 100 [micro]m thick metal foils and subsurface engraving of transparent materials.(manufacturing)
May 01, 2009; ... Driving improvements Microstructures and nanostructures are pivotal in today's medical technology. They are found in the electrodes of cardiac pacemakers, precision mechanical components for implants and products for analytics and diagnostics. They provide new diagnostic methods ...
Standardising analogue front end design for ultrasound imaging systems: the standardisation of analogue front end products is allowing the development of portable ultrasound devices that provide enhanced image quality while minimising power consumption. The design opportunities associated with the use of these products are described.(design)
May 01, 2009; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Ultrasound today Over the past 50 years, ultrasound technology has advanced dramatically and progressed from simple "greyscale" imaging to the three- and four-dimensional imaging that is available today. In addition, innovative analogue and ...
Developments in multicavity hot runner tooling: technological developments in specific areas of multicavity hot runner systems are improving quality control and repeatability and reducing cycle times. Advances such as closed loop filling control of multicavity moulds within the mould itself, servo-actuated valve gates and synchronised valve stems are discussed.(manufacturing)
May 01, 2009; ... Multicavity moulds Multicavity moulds with 16, 32 or more impressions are a long established method of manufacturing large production quantities of moulded medical components. These moulds are fed by hot runner systems, often with pneumatically operated valve gates. Valve gates ...
Medical extrusion technology.(ASK THE EXPERTS)
May 01, 2009 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] With expertise in extruding some of the smallest and most complex medical tubing to some of the tightest tolerances, Tim Steele, founder and owner of Microspec Corporation, is responding to questions on extrusion. This is ...
Medical-grade plugs, cables and cord sets.(ASK THE EXPERTS)
May 01, 2009 ... Duncan Seaton, General Manager of Interpower Components Ltd, is responding to questions on power system components for electrical and electronic equipment, and related design issues. Interpower supplies an array of these components including international and North American medical-grade ...
Design and engineering achievements.(medical design excellence awards)
May 01, 2009 ... The winners of the 2009 Medical Design Excellence Awards have been announced. Judged by a panel of impartial, multidisciplinary third-party jurors, 32 winners have been selected in 10 product categories. Some of them are described here. For details of all the winners, go to ...
The future is mobile and wireless: demand for mobile and wireless diagnostic and therapy devices is increasing and microsystems technology is helping to meet that demand.(design)
May 01, 2009 ... Microsystems target medical Microsystems technology such as micropumps for lab-on-a-chip applications and radio frequency identification tags for the life cycle management of medical devices are playing a vital role in meeting the increasing demand for mobile and wireless ...
Designing for the future: the lifecycles of many medical devices are extremely complex, as is their design process, which requires a great investment in time and expert procedures at all stages. This article highlights the critical issues to consider when embarking on a design project and how to reduce the risks involved in long life cycles.(design)
May 01, 2009; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The pitfalls to avoid Medical device design is as much about managing risk and overcoming challenges as it is about producing a safe and effective product. The obstacles faced by medical device manufacturers during a product's lifecycle include ...
EMI filters.(electrical/electronic components in focus: some of the latest products on the market.)
May 01, 2009 ... LCR Electronics has introduced a series of double-stage, low profile electromagnetic interference (EMI) filters. The 088 series integrates into one compact package a high attenuation EMI filter, an IEC power entry socket with an illuminated power switch and either a fuse or a ...
Tin-can stepper motors.(electrical/electronic components in focus: some of the latest products on the market.)
May 01, 2009 ... Nippon Pulse Motor manufactures precision small motors, motor drivers, controllers and electronic parts. Its PF/PFC series of two-phase tin can type stepper motors range in diameter from 25 to 55 mm and are suitable for mass production applications. Available in three step angles ...