Medical Device Technology back issues from November 2007:
The MDT five-minute interview: Medical Device Technology's (MDT) new series of short interviews offers a range of personal perspectives on the diverse and dynamic medical device technology industry. Here, we talk to Dr Ralf Heijkants.(the interview)(Interview)
Nov 01, 2007 ... Q If I wasn't talking to you right now, what would you be doing? A My group is working as part of an international programme on a sensor system for abdominal pressure measurement. As project leader of the group focussing on human body sensors, I would be guiding initial ...
IVD sales flourish.(this issue: Developments across the industry)(Brief article)
Nov 01, 2007 ... Sales of in vitro diagnostic (IVD) products in Europe reached 9217 million [euro] in 2006, according to estimates published by the European Diagnostic Manufacturers Association (EDMA).This figure is based on data combined from EU and European Free Trade Association countries. Average IVD ...
Nonwovens innovation.(this issue: Developments across the industry)
Nov 01, 2007 ... Edana, the European Disposables and Nonwovens Association, invites abstracts for consideration for its 2008 conference programme. The main themes sustainability and nanotechnology. The ...
Nano opportunities.(this issue: Developments across the industry)(Brief article)
Nov 01, 2007 ... Nanotechnology-enabled products are expected to grow over the next five years at a compound annual growth rate of approximately 48.4% through to 2010, according to a report from Research and ...
Robot revolutionises keyhole surgery.(this issue: Developments across the industry)
Nov 01, 2007 ... MARS, a small lightweight robot, has been developed to automatically target the best spot for keyhole neurosurgery. A team, led by Professor Leo Joskowicz of Hebrew University, Israel, was tasked with applying MARS to keyhole surgery; it is already successfully employed as the Spine-Assist ...
Finding calibration accuracy.(this issue: Developments across the industry)
Nov 01, 2007 ... An acoustic absorber has been developed that can be retro-fitted into current calibration equipment to increase its accuracy. Surveys of physiotherapy ultrasound equipment have suggested that up to 70% of the machines in clinical use could be outside specification, according to the ...
Strong sales in disposables.(this issue: Developments across the industry)(Brief article)
Nov 01, 2007 ... US demand for disposable medical supplies will increase by 4.9% annually to be valued at more than US$70 billion in 2011, according to a study by the Freedonia Group. Some of the best growth opportunities are anticipated to be in blood glucose test strips, prefilled syringes and polymer ...
EDMA has a new affiliate.(this issue: Developments across the industry)
Nov 01, 2007 ... The European Diagnostic Manufacturers Association has welcomed Arkray (arkray.com) as a new corporate affiliate, bringing the Association's membership up to 31 major ...
Cages and chondrocytes: techniques to replace and regenerate the troublesome intervertebral disc: techniques for spinal surgery are developing apace, and there are divergent views on the merits of facilitating spinal fusion or attempting to replace or regenerate the degenerative intervertebral disc. The different strategies and preferred materials are described.(material matters column)
Nov 01, 2007; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The herniated disc I have written about the spine in this column before, (1) but while attending the Biospine 2 Conference in September 2007 in Leipzig, Germany, (2) it was obvious that therapies for the various conditions of the spine are ...
Nanocrystalline material with gigacycle fatigue life.(materials)
Nov 01, 2007; ... A processing technology has been developed that can be applied to many different fine wire medical alloys to improve their fatigue properties. This technology has been used to process a low inclusion alloy, 35 cobalt-35 nitinol-20 chromium-10 Molybdenum (ASTM F562 chemistry), hereinafter ...
Force testing medical tubing: force testing in the design and production of medical tubing is an essential ingredient in the delivery of functional and consistently high quality devices. This article describes a range of typical tests, how they are performed and the benefits they offer.(manufacturing)
Nov 01, 2007; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The route to quality Plastic medical tubing is central to the provision of effective health care in the 21st century. It is essential for the delivery of blood, nutrients and gases to the patient, and for the execution of minimally invasive ...
Outsourcing to win: the decision to outsource the manufacture of an entire device can be difficult, yet the advantages of this business strategy are huge. The important elements of the process are examined here so that companies can adopt this approach with confidence.(manufacturing)
Nov 01, 2007; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Getting down to the core The term "outsourcing" is often misunderstood. For some it means opportunity and change, for others it denotes downsizing or layoffs. In truth, all companies outsource at some level. The days of the vertically ...
Catheter hole making: the science and technology of making good quality holes in tubing is an important issue for the success of the application. The process options and their benefits and limitations are examined.(manufacturing)
Nov 01, 2007; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A critical process Designing new catheters, or enhancing current designs, is a complex process. Especially now that catheters are getting smaller in diameter, designed for multiple functions, and in some cases steerable or implantable. From ...
Incorporating human factors in product design and development.(design)
Nov 01, 2007; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A malfunctioning device causes problems, as does misuse by users. To reduce the risk of developing malfunctioning or misused products, companies are incorporating Human Factors Engineering (HFE) methods into the product design and development process. By ...
Implementing new European vigilance procedures.(regulation and standards column)
Nov 01, 2007; ... The new European vigilance guidelines come into force on 1 January 2008. In addition, the amending the medical devices Directives, which includes some aspects of the vigilance system, was recently published. This article discusses the amendments concerning vigilance requirements, the new ...
Contract manufacturers add contract design to their services: increasingly, contract manufacturers are offering design services to the industry. The advantages of this to medical device companies are outlined.(manufacturing)
Nov 01, 2007; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] An evolution Contract manufacturers have always viewed themselves as filling one void or another in the medical device life cycle. Yet, they are playing an increasingly significant role in the development of new medical devices by evolving ...
How to achieve high-mix, low-volume manufacturing success: manufacturing an array of complex products in relatively small quantities is challenging. Outsourcing can be the answer. Here are some important questions to ask when selecting an electronics manufacturing services partner.(manufacturing)
Nov 01, 2007; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A fine balancing act Medical device companies are under ongoing pressure to deliver a range of sophisticated products. They must invest in processes to meet stringent regulatory requirements and bring products to market quickly, and do this ...
Miniature pump.(pumps and valves in focus: A selection of pumps and valves offered to the industry.)
Nov 01, 2007 ... Schwarzer Precision offers a miniature pump with a flow rate of 6.5 L/min. The SP 625 EC pumps are available in ethylene propylene diene monomer or Viton and are equipped with long life, dual ball bearing motors or long life, brushless motors. The pumps are suitable for various ...
Plastic microvalves.(pumps and valves in focus: A selection of pumps and valves offered to the industry.)
Nov 01, 2007 ... Barrels Mikrotechnik has developed a new generation of plastic microvalves. The normally closed passive-dynamic check valves are designed for use with liquids and are constructed in three layers from two plastic components, which can be varied according to customer requirements. The valves ...
Linear diaphragm pumps.(pumps and valves in focus: A selection of pumps and valves offered to the industry.)
Nov 01, 2007 ... Charles Austen Pumps has launched a series of linear diaphragm pumps. The LD pumps are designed for applications requiring extremely quiet and efficient operation and provide a low pressure, constant flow oil-free air source. A range of models is available ...
Micropump design paper.(pumps and valves in focus: A selection of pumps and valves offered to the industry.)
Nov 01, 2007 ... New ScaleTechnologies has published a technical paper presenting a novel microfluidic pump design that promises better accuracy, fluid pressure and flow rates in a package that is dramatically smaller than existing micropumps. The paper describes a positive displacement micropump design ...
Micropump.(pumps and valves in focus: A selection of pumps and valves offered to the industry.)
Nov 01, 2007 ... A 4-uL micropump from Bio-Chem Valve accurately and efficiently dispenses low pressure microflows of high purity or aggressive fluids, says the company. Its Model 030 pump achieves greater output by cycling at up to 4 Hz and utilises a fast response solenoid. The pump reportedly offers up ...
Twin-head pump.(pumps and valves in focus: A selection of pumps and valves offered to the industry.)
Nov 01, 2007 ... Gardner Denver Thomas has introduced a diaphragm pump that the company says offers unrivalled pneumatic efficiency, quiet operation over the complete pressure range and modular construction. The JADE 1420 is suitable for applications such as ...
Syringe pumps.(pumps and valves in focus: A selection of pumps and valves offered to the industry.)
Nov 01, 2007 ... KD Scientific offers a broad line of automated syringe pumps from a simple one syringe infuse only, to a programmable multisyringe infuse/ withdrawal pump. The pumps reportedly deliver precise and smooth flow in research, ...
Miniature needle valve.(pumps and valves in focus: A selection of pumps and valves offered to the industry.)
Nov 01, 2007 ... Beswick's miniature needle valve provides precision flow metering in a small package. The NV3 series is designed with an ultra-miniature M3 metric thread and integral hose barb to minimise size ....
Miniature valves.(pumps and valves in focus: A selection of pumps and valves offered to the industry.)
Nov 01, 2007 ... Sensortechnics offers high-performance miniature valves. The switching and proportional solenoid valves for gases and liquids are available in two or three-way configurations and can be normally open or normally closed, or distributor. Customised miniature valves are also ...
Peristaltic pump dispenser.(pumps and valves in focus: A selection of pumps and valves offered to the industry.)
Nov 01, 2007 ... I&J Fisnar offers a peristaltic pump dispenser for the precision dispensing of dangerous or toxic fluids. Model PPD-130 features a peristaltic pumping principle that applies pressure to a soft Teflon tube that accepts deformation, but can quickly recover its initial shape improving ...
Rocker isolation valves.(pumps and valves in focus: A selection of pumps and valves offered to the industry.)
Nov 01, 2007 ... ASCO has introduced a range of rocker isolation valves. According to the company, the Micro 10 has an envelope size and is almost 40% smaller than comparable 16 mm designs, but with orifice diameters reduced by only 10%. The valve's smaller internal volume reportedly enables more effective ...
Microdiaphragm pump.(pumps and valves in focus: A selection of pumps and valves offered to the industry.)
Nov 01, 2007 ... A microdiaphragm pump that offers high power and low pulsation is available from KNF Neuberger. Model NMP 015.1.2 is characterised by its high flow rate, small size and low pulstaion of the transferred gas. Other features include low noise during operation, a patented structured diaphragm, ...
Heart simulation pump.(pumps and valves in focus: A selection of pumps and valves offered to the industry.)
Nov 01, 2007 ... A pump that simulates the blood flow of the heart for imaging studies of diseases is available from Harvard Apparatus. The pulsatile output of the Blood Pump closely simulates the ventricular action of the heart and the user can adjust blood flow by altering the frequency of the stroke or ...
Metering pumps.(pumps and valves in focus: A selection of pumps and valves offered to the industry.)
Nov 01, 2007 ... Fluid Metering has released a 36-page catalogue covering its range of precision dispensers and metering pumps. The company's FMI pumps feature the patented CeramPump valveless piston design, which has only one moving part and a ceramic and fluorocarbon fluid path. The catalogue includes ...
Safety testing of medical devices: IEC 62353 explained: the new IEC standard for the in-service and post repair testing of electromedical devices introduces new requirements. These and their implications are outlined.(market place)
Nov 01, 2007; ... In search of harmony Manufacturers of medical electrical equipment are required to test to the international electrical safety standard IEC 60601 Medical Electrical Equipment, General Requirements for Safety, to ensure that the design of the equipment is intrinsically safe. The ...
Custom extruded tubing.(tubing: A round up of some of the latest products available to the industry.)
Nov 01, 2007 ... Optinova precision extrudes tubing according to customer applications. Products include heat-shrink tubing in fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) and polytetrafluoroethylene. Both materials have a low coefficient of friction, good antistick surface and high chemical resistance, which make ...
Transparent heat-shrink tubing.(tubing: A round up of some of the latest products available to the industry.)
Nov 01, 2007 ... Alpha Wire has introduced a transparent heat-shrink tubing for visual inspection applications. Fit-Clear is made from polyvinylidene fluoride that offers ULVW-1 flame retardency, a low shrink temperature of 150[degrees]C and an operating temperature range of-55 to +175[degrees]C with an ...
Precision extrusion.(tubing: A round up of some of the latest products available to the industry.)
Nov 01, 2007 ... MS Techniques provides tailored precise extrusion of soft and stiff tubing, profiles, sheeting and over-moulding. Products include soft thermoplastic polyurethane high pressure tubes reinforced with a high-strength nylon fibre braiding for applications in angiography extension lines. They ...
Polyimide tubing.(tubing: A round up of some of the latest products available to the industry.)
Nov 01, 2007 ... Microlumen custom manufactures polyimide tubing for critical applications and low invasive medical devices. Braid-reinforced designs are available for added flexibility, torque and column strength. Thermoplastic jackets, multi-durometer designs, flexible tips, ...
PFA tubing.(tubing: A round up of some of the latest products available to the industry.)
Nov 01, 2007 ... Parker has introduced a line of tubing for applications where permeation is a problem that affects the purity of process chemicals. The Low Permeation PFA tubing reportedly minimises the chance of premature failure of the tubing caused by permeation and oxidation. In addition, the company ...
Braid-reinforced PVC hose.(tubing: A round up of some of the latest products available to the industry.)
Nov 01, 2007 ... New Age Industries manufactures and fabricates thermoplastic and thermoset tubing and hose. Its Nylobrade braid-reinforced PVC hose is available in thin wall, standard and high-pressure reinforcement options and is now stocked in 12 sizes ranging from 1/8 ...
Microtube.(tubing: A round up of some of the latest products available to the industry.)
Nov 01, 2007 ... Creganna has developed a microtube for minimally invasive treatment of the body's smallest vasculature such as the neurovascular system. Microflex is available in o.d. ranges of 0.013 in. (0.3 mm) or less and features a ...
Precision plastic tubing.(tubing: A round up of some of the latest products available to the industry.)
Nov 01, 2007 ... Precision Extrusion custom designs and manufactures extruded plastic tubing including single- and multi-lumen tubing, liquid crystal polymer tubes and braided reinforced tubes. Medical tubing is manufactured under strict requirements with hardnesses ...
Tubular components.(tubing: A round up of some of the latest products available to the industry.)
Nov 01, 2007 ... Popper and Sons provides custom manufacturing of stainless steel tubular components, including hypodermic needle tubing, tubing kits, blunt tubes and pointed cannule. The company also ...
Custom formed tubes.(tubing: A round up of some of the latest products available to the industry.)
Nov 01, 2007 ... Diversico modifies metal tube shapes into components. Capabilities include tube end forming, transitions from round to square, tapers, expansions, reductions, reshaping, flaring, beading, weldless assembly of heavy to thin wall metal tubing. The company fabricates many part feature ...
Precision metal tubing.(tubing: A round up of some of the latest products available to the industry.)
Nov 01, 2007 ... Minitubes specialises in small-diameter precision metal tubing and fabricated tubular components. The tubes can be produced in straight lengths or coils, and the company can work with difficult specifications and tight tolerances (up to +/- 5 [micro]m).The smallest available i.d. is 50 ...
Speciality thermoplastic tubing.(tubing: A round up of some of the latest products available to the industry.)
Nov 01, 2007 ... ANSAmed custom develops speciality thermoplastic tubing to tight tolerances. Typical configurations include multilayer, bump/tapered, thin wall, coextrusion, multilumen, single lumen, profile and striped tubing. Tubing can be cut to a desired length or supplied in reels. Pad and ink jet ...
Wall-reinforced tubing.(tubing: A round up of some of the latest products available to the industry.)
Nov 01, 2007 ... Wall-reinforced tubing is available from Gore. The kink-resistant tubing is suitable for applications that require an increased bend radius or high-pressure flow rates. The tubing is made from polyurethane with nylon filament braiding and is available from 20 gauge to 46 French. The spiral ...
How to effectively partner with an automation company: essential factors to identifying the right automation company and the benefits that can be gained from partnering in the product concept phase.(market place)
Nov 01, 2007; ... The route to precision Automation is naturally suited to producing health care products with limited variability and the precise construction that is critical to ensure patient safety. There are two basic questions that producers of health care products should ask when ...
ELISA kit components.(in vitro diagnostic components in focus: A selection of components for manufacturers of diagnostic products.)
Nov 01, 2007 ... Kem-En-Tec Diagnostics has released its latest TMB product, which it says has the qualities of TMB PLUS and TMB ONE, used by ELISA kit manufacturers for the past 10 years, but with higher yields. TMB X-tra is an aqueous based, nontoxic, mono-component formulation that yields 20% higher OD ...
Arthritis model cocktail kit.(in vitro diagnostic components in focus: A selection of components for manufacturers of diagnostic products.)
Nov 01, 2007 ... Millipore offers a monoclonal antibody cocktail kit for the generation of arthritis mouse models. These models are used for rapid screening of anti-inflammatory therapeutics. The ArthroMA is a cocktail of four monoclonal antibodies directed against collagen that initiates arthritis via ...
Stabilisers.(in vitro diagnostic components in focus: A selection of components for manufacturers of diagnostic products.)
Nov 01, 2007 ... SurModics' components include the stabiliser StabilZyme NOBLE, which is designed for conjugated protein, antibody-coated particles and unmodified proteins in solution. This product stabilises biomolecule activity without incorporating bovine protein and thereby virtually eliminates the ...
Superparamagnetic bead markers.(in vitro diagnostic components in focus: A selection of components for manufacturers of diagnostic products.)
Nov 01, 2007 ... Magnisense develops immunoassays based on superparamagnetic bead markers that reportedly deliver the accuracy of laboratory testing with the ease of use of rapid test methods. The company says its MIAtek technology provides true quantification of a large volume sample. The magnetic signal ...
Microspectrometer.(in vitro diagnostic components in focus: A selection of components for manufacturers of diagnostic products.)
Nov 01, 2007 ... A new generation of injection moulded microspectrometers from Boehringer Ingelheim microParts is allowing instrument manufacturers to produce compact, dedicated low-cost analysers. The company says the monolithic design results in an outstanding level of comparability between instruments ....
Long-life shutter.(in vitro diagnostic components in focus: A selection of components for manufacturers of diagnostic products.)
Nov 01, 2007 ... Emessem Solenoid's novel shutter mechanism technology has reportedly extended the mechanism's life from one million to more than 10 million operations. The technology is employed in a multiplexed immunoassay system ...
The German medtech industry in 2007: as innovation activity remains high on the industry's agenda, it is calling for a renewed focus on the economics of health care.(market place)
Nov 01, 2007; ... A changing landscape Major progress on raising awareness of medical technologies among policy and decision makers in the health care market has been made in recent years. This includes comprehensive studies on the situation of medical technology in Germany, published by the ...
Surface pressure sensing.(materials and equipment)
Nov 01, 2007 ... An electronic surface pressure measurement system is available from Sensor Products. The Tactilus system is a conformable sensor "skin" that collects data from sensing points positioned beneath its surface. The data is sent instantaneously to statistical software that produces mapping of ...
Packaging machine installation.(materials and equipment)
Nov 01, 2007 ... Medical products manufacturer, B. Braun Melsungen has installed a new Mulitivac thermoforming machine at its facility in Hanoi, Vietnam. The R 240 machine is designed for a quick change between thermoforming depths by means of various inserts; it has IPC controls and colour TFT touch ...
Copolyester application.(materials and equipment)
Nov 01, 2007 ... Eastman Chemical's copolyester, Eastar, has been employed in Kinetic Concepts' enhanced portable wound healing system. According to the company, the material was selected for the VAC Freedom System, which facilitates wound drainage and reduces the risk of exposure to infectious materials, ...
Contract manufacturing directory: a listing of companies that offer contract manufacturing services to the industry.(Directory)
Nov 01, 2007 ... <Pre> contract manufacturing directory A listing of companies that offer contract manufacturing services to the industry. ASSEMBLY AB Precision (Poole) Ltd.Tel:+44 1202 665 000 x220 Accellent Inc. Tel:+ 1978 570 6900 ...
Compamed 2007 event preview: the venue gets larger, and the focus gets smaller.
Nov 01, 2007 ... Visitors to Compamed this year can expect great things. There will certainly be a great number of exhibitors. Once the show was housed in Hall 8a. This year the exhibitors take over two halls and also occupy the adjacent new Hall 8b. More than 300 companies will be displaying their ...
ALMA srl.(News from a selection of exhibitors at Compamed 2007)
Nov 01, 2007 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ALMA manufactures machines for thermoforming rigid or flexible materials to customer requirements. Packaging lines designed for medical applications include features such as centralised compressed air exhausts and motorised waste film winders to allow ...
All-Wrap Packaging Machinery.(News from a selection of exhibitors at Compamed 2007)
Nov 01, 2007 ... The medical packaging specialist All-Wrap Packaging Machinery presents a four-side-seal horizontal pouching machine. The RCN 270 in single-, double- and triple-track versions forms flat pouches from reels of hot- or cold-sealing packaging material, with a peel element for easy opening. The ...
AMETEK technical and industrial products.(News from a selection of exhibitors at Compamed 2007)
Nov 01, 2007 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A family of brushless DC servomotors from AMETEK incorporates patented coil-winding geometry in a slotless motor design that reportedly uses less energy to deliver more power to devices such as medical instruments and dental drills. Offering numerous ...
Amphenol-Tuchel Electronics GmbH.(News from a selection of exhibitors at Compamed 2007)
Nov 01, 2007 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Medical equipment connectors and cable assemblies from Amphenol-Tuchel Electronics are engineered to safely connect systems such as patient monitoring sensors and measuring instruments to diagnostic equipment. Both standard products and tailor-made ...
ANSAmed Ltd.(News from a selection of exhibitors at Compamed 2007)
Nov 01, 2007 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ANSAmed specialises in precision extrusion, including developing and producing tubing for the interventional cardiology, radiology, urology, gastrostomy and neuroradiology fields. A dedicated engineering team is available to service customers. The company ...
Arrow Medical Ltd.(News from a selection of exhibitors at Compamed 2007)
Nov 01, 2007 ... The range of contract medical device manufacturing services from Arrow Medical includes silicone injection moulding, textile processing for emergency care and wound management, and radio-frequency welding of inflatables and flexible containers to cleanroom assembly, contract packaging, and ...
Aunotec srl.(News from a selection of exhibitors at Compamed 2007)
Nov 01, 2007 ... Customised assembly systems for medical devices are one specialty of Aunotec, which designs and builds systems and accessories for automating production. The company offers customers support with drawing up specifications at the beginning and technical support after the sale is complete ....