How to Get Published in Medical Design Briefs · Medical Design Briefs Vendor-Contributed Briefs...

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How to Get Published in Medical Design Briefs Vendor-Contributed Briefs Vendor-contributed tech briefs are short articles that may be submitted by a company that has developed or per- fected a particular technology or process. These briefs information on how the technology was developed, its novelty or uniqueness, specifications related to how the technology oper- ates, and the commercial applications and uses for the technology. Briefs are written in a non-commercial, vendor- neutral style and run 500-800 words with one high-resolution image Application Stories/ Case Studies Application stories are case studies submitted by original equipment man- ufacturers that illustrate how a prod- uct was developed and used for a spe- cific application. The case study should highlight novel product features, why that technology was chosen for a par- ticular application, and its function in the application. Application stories run 1,500 to 1,800 words with up to three high-resolution images with captions. Feature Articles Feature articles focus on different topics in each issue. They serve as a comprehensive overview of a technolo- gy, and are written in a non-commer- cial, vendor-neutral, tutorial manner. Companies wishing to contribute these articles should contact the editor for details. Refer to the editorial calendar for a complete list of topics by issue. Upon acceptance, you will be given a deadline to send a 2 to 3 paragraph abstract that outlines the topic of the proposed article several months in advance of the issue date. Feature articles run 1,500 to 1,800 words with up to three high-resolution images with captions. New Product Sections Each issue of Medical Design Briefs includes a section focused on OEM products and services for the medical industry. E-mail a product release accompanied by a high-resolution image to the editor. Products are chosen for their technical merit and practical value. Each month, the editor chooses a Product of the Month that reflects the most significant introduction to the medical design engineering community. 34 www.medicaldesignbriefs.com Medical Design Briefs, January 2016 Linear Guides for the Next Generation of Medical Machines Demand for miniature motion components follows trends. IKO International, Parsippany, NJ Not too long ago, the motion systems used in medical and lab automation equipment had technical requirements that were easy to satisfy. These lightly loaded applications generally required simple point-to-point moves with low to moderate positioning accuracy requirements. With the exception of surgical robots and some diagnostic systems, many med- ical machines still have modest position- ing accuracy requirements, at least com- pared to applications such as semicon- ductor and electronics assembly. Yet the motion axes in medical machines do have to run smoothly and quietly, some- times at high speeds. Medical motion systems have had to become more sophisticated in other respects to keep pace with two unfold- ing trends in the medical machine mar- ketplace. Choosing the Right Linear Guide One of these trends is miniaturiza- tion. Diagnostic equipment, DNA sequencers, and other types of automa- tion systems occupy less space than in years past, and these machines increas- ingly require streamlined mechanical designs. This ongoing shift creates a strong need for miniaturized motion components, especially linear guides. The other trend is an increasing demand for reliability and low cost of ownership. Here too, choosing the right linear guide can make a big difference in how well the machine runs–and how much it will cost to keep running. The next generation of medical machines, then, will need linear guides that are compact relative to the loads they carry. They will also need to run smoothly with adequate precision. And finally, they will also need design fea- tures that ensure that the machine has a long, trouble-free life. Trends in Customer Demands Compact: Like many types of con- sumer and industrial products, medical machines of all kinds are shrinking. To take one example, lab automation sys- tems have been scaled down to meet the needs of smaller laboratories that have less floor space—and budget—to spare. There is an extensive range of minia- ture linear motion products available that can meet the requirements of size- constrained medical applications. Among them are the world’s smallest recirculating ball linear guide, which has a track rail width of just 1mm and a cross sectional height of 2.5mm, and a tiny ball-spline guide, with a shaft diameter of 2mm and a cylinder diameter of 6mm. Smooth: In medical applications, one of these functional requirements is smoothness. Many guides can move from point to point quickly, but not all can do so smoothly. Medical robots and lab automation systems in particular can be especially sensitive to jerky motion. In many medical applications, smoothness counts for more than maximum speed. Smoothness also translates to less noise, and quiet motion components are strongly preferred in any medical machine or diagnostic system used in proximity to patients. When selecting smooth guides for medical machines, look for products that have a low, uniform sliding resistance over their travel distance (See Figure 1). Maintenance-free: The cost of main- tenance, particularly lubrication needs, drives up the cost of ownership for many types of moving machines. Medical and lab automation machines are no exception. Manufacturers can supply linear guides with proprietary technology that allow the units to operate for more than 20,000 kilometers or 5 years without the need to replenish the lubricant. A poly- mer reservoir can be positioned within the guide’s slider so that it comes in con- tact with the recirculating balls or rollers. Surface tension in the porous polymer would then continually bring lubricant to the surface of the reservoir, allowing lubricant to transfer to the balls or rollers as they pass by. This method can be much more cost-effective and cleaner than other maintenance-free methods that apply lubricant directly to the guide rails via a lubricating plate. Lubricating plates, which remain in contact with the rails, can also have another downside. The plate can increase the drag forces on the slider, driving up the guide’s overall resistance. Reliable, long life: There are many reasons why a linear guide can fail to live up to its projected life cycle. Unabated contamination, for example, can short- en the life of a linear guide. So can excess temperatures. So can mechanical design or installation errors that cause misalignment between the sliders and rails. All these failure modes are possible in medical applications, but the most common and easily avoidable premature failures result from under- or over-lubri- cation of linear motion components. This article was written by Yuichi Ikeuchi, Engineering Manager, IKO International, Parsippany, NJ. For more information, visit http://info.hotims.com/61057-167. Fig. 1 - Even when preloaded, linear guides can run smoothly, as shown by the uniform frictional resist- ance data. M edical Design Briefs provides the engineering community with the latest medical technology and biomedical break- throughs from NASA, industry, and other R&D leaders worldwide. Articles and tech briefs focus on advances in technol- ogy, materials, manufacturing, and regulatory issues that are shaping the future design of medical devices, components, and systems. Each issue reports on electronics, sensors, test & measurement, imaging, software, materials, mechanical compo- nents, manufacturing/prototyping, and much more. Opportunities to submit editorial content are outlined below. Note that articles are confirmed several months in advance of the issue date. Cover Art High-resolution full-color photos or computer-generated images for consideration as front-cover art for Medical Design Briefs are welcomed from article contributors in every issue. To be considered, artwork must be an innovative, original dynamic image that depicts an application, product, or model of an object in bright, vibrant color. Special background treatments and lighting techniques may be used to highlight the subject. Contact the editor for more details. All material for editorial consideration in Medical Design Briefs should be submitted to Sherrie Trigg; Phone: 310-613-4933; e-mail: strigg@techbriefs.com. See the Medical Design Briefs editorial calendar for submission deadlines. 10 www.medicaldesignbriefs.com Medical Design Briefs, December 2015 E ngineering thermoplastics are used throughout the consumer electronics (CE) industry today because they enable design free- dom while also providing high per- formance capabilities. Although the industries differ, with CE having fewer regulations and being faster to market as an example, many of these existing materials can provide excellent solu- tions to medical device designers and manufacturers who are challenged to continue bringing new and innovative ideas to the healthcare industry. This article focuses on the features and benefits of high-performance plastics used in consumer electronic devices and their translatability to the health- care industry to help address similar trends and needs in medical devices and equipment. The increased availability of im- proved healthcare has been a con- tributing factor to longer life expectan- cies globally, which in turn has led to a rising population growth. According to the Population Reference Bureau (www.prb.org/wpds/2015), the popula- tion estimate for 2050 is 9.8 billion, a 34 percent increase (2.5 billion) from the 2015 population estimate of 7.3 billion. Between 2015 and 2050, the proportion of the world’s population over 60 years will nearly double from about 12 per- cent to 22 percent, as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) (www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/ fs404/en). The continual rise in popula- tion, especially of the elderly, puts a strain on the existing healthcare infrastructure particularly with challenges in accessibili- ty to hospitals and doctors. As a result, the demand for cost-saving advanced medical technologies that are available remotely, where the need for care exists, continues to grow—from local clinics, to workplace infirmaries, to homes. At the same time, urbanization and a growing middle class have changed the healthcare landscape, making medical care more affordable and available. According to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) (www.un.org/ development/desa/en/news/population/ world-urbanization-prospects.html), by 2050, 66 percent of the world’s popu- lation will live in cities. A higher socio- economic status has enabled greater access to mobile communication tech- nologies, leading to the adoption and use of smart devices in our everyday lives— from financial transactions to home secu- rity monitoring. This trend has driven higher expectations for convenience and flexibility in medical services and has resulted in a growing mobile health seg- ment, which includes equipment for self- testing and self-monitoring that is light- weight, portable, easy to operate, and capable of data acquisition and transmis- sion. (See Figure 1) Consumers Have Similar Device Requirements These trends have led medical device manufacturers, which typically sell to hospitals and physicians, to a new set of customers for remote and mobile healthcare who need to be satisfied. The consumers who are buying portable electronic devices, such as mobile phones, GPS systems, tablet and ultra- notebook PCs, are also medical patients Materials Designed for Consumer Electronics Provide Insights for Medical Devices Fig. 1 – Greater access to mobile communications and the advance- ments of material technologies are helping to power the growth of the mobile healthcare segment, which includes devices that are light- weight, portable, easy to operate, and capable of data acquisition and transmission. 50 www.medicaldesignbriefs.com Medical Design Briefs, November 2015 T echnological advancements are making medical devices increasingly feature-rich and miniaturized: two performance characteristics that are inherently conflicting, thus requiring increasingly sophisticated battery power management solutions. Battery-powered devices span the entire medical spectrum, from surgical drills and power tools, to automatic external defibrillators (AEDs), robotic inspection systems, infusion pumps, bone growth stimulators and other wearable devices, glucose monitors, blood oxygen meters, cauterizers, RFID asset tracking tags, and other remote wireless devices. Application-specific requirements dictate the choice of power supply, including: • Reliability: patient wellness depends on procedure outcome • High power-to-size ratio: keeping the medical device small, lightweight and ergonomic for ease of use and accuracy • Long shelf life: making sure the instrument in in working order even after prolonged storage without having to recharge or replace the battery • High temperature survivability: for autoclave sterilization • Cold temperature operability: for reliable operation in the cold chain • Ability to supply high pulses: extra power needed to run motors and communications circuits. Consumer or Industrial Grade? Certain devices will continue to be powered by consumer grade alkaline and rechargeable batteries. However, indus- trial grade lithium primary batteries are increasingly being utilized in advanced medical equipment, as lithium chem- istry offers the highest specific energy (energy per unit weight) and energy density (energy per unit volume) of any available chemistry. Lithium cells have a nominal open cir- cuit voltage of between 1.7 and 3.9V. Their electrolyte is also non-aqueous, permitting certain cells to operate in extreme temperatures. A Wide Choice of Primary Lithium Chemistries As Table 1 shows, several primary lithium battery chemistries are available. For example, lithium manganese dioxide (LiMNO2) batteries are commonly used to power hand-held glucose monitors. These cells are inexpensive, easily replaced, and good enough for most in-home applications. Lithium sulfur dioxide (LiSO2) batteries deliver high pulses, especially at low temperatures, but add bulk due to their low energy density. These batteries also have high annual self-dis- charge rates. Bobbin-type lithium thionyl chloride (LiSOCL2) cells fea- ture the highest energy density, highest capacity, and lowest self-discharge rate, which is ideal for use in long-life applica- tions that require small amounts of current. Bobbin-type LiSOCL2cells can also operate at extreme temperatures (-80°C to 125°C), making them suitable for autoclave sterilization. Specially modified bobbin-type LiSOCL2 batteries can with- stand temperatures as low as -80°C (with certain cells surviving Powering Tomorrow’s Medicine: Critical Decisions for Batteries in Medical Applications LiSOCL2w/hybrid Layer capacitor Lithium Characteristics LiSOCL2bobbin-type (PulsesPlus) metal oxide LiSO2 LiMnO2 Energy density (Wh/1) 1,420 1,420 680 410 650 Power Low High High High Moderate Voltage 3.6V 3.6V – 3.9V 4.1V 3.0V 3.0V Pulse amplitude Small High Very high High Moderate Passivation High Fair Fair Fair Moderate Performance at elevated temperature Fair Excellent Excellent Moderate Fair Performance at low temperature Fair Excellent Excellent Excellent Poor Operating life Excellent Excellent Excellent Moderate Fair Self-discharge rate Low Low Low Moderate Moderate Operating temperature -80°C to 125°C -40°C to 85°C -40°C to 85°C -55°C to 60°C 0°C to 60°C Operating life 20 years + 20 years + 20 years 10 years 5 years Typical applications Bone healers, oxygen Automatic external Automatic external Automatic external Glucose monitors meters, devices that defibrillators (AED), defibrillators (AED), defibrillators (AED) are sterilized, modifiable devices to be sterilized cauterizer, disposable for the cold chain power tools, resuscitation Table 1 – Primary Lithium Battery Characteristics. From the Publishers of Engineering Thermoplastics for Healthcare Use Benefits of Overmolding Technology Embedded Database Software to Manage Risks Vote for Readers’ Choice Product of the Year www.medicaldesignbriefs.com December 2015 INSIDE: 2016 Product Buyer’s Guide page 28 74 www.medicaldesignbriefs.com Medical Design Briefs, December 2015 TubeDyne Treating System 3DT LLC, Germantown, WI, intro- duces the TubeDyne Treating System designed to treat medical tube ends for a permanent bond to surgical instru- ments, housings, or other tubing including catheters. TubeDyne har- nesses arc plasma, which alters the sur- face energy on pebax and polyethylene tubing, creating a strong bond with adhesives, coatings, and ink. 3DT’s TubeDyne uniformly and gently treats tubing within its self-contained, compact, tabletop unit. For Free Info, Visit http://info.hotims.com/55596-169 Thermistors for Medical Markets Sensor Scientific, Inc., Fairfield, NJ, designs, develops, and manufactures temperature sensors for medical applications. Thermistor sensors are available for patient skin temperature monitoring, ambient tempera- ture monitoring, esophageal catheters, and myocardial tem- perature probes. The company announces that its Sensor Scientific 400 Series 2252 ohm thermistor is recognized as the de facto stan- dard in medical markets. For Free Info, Visit http://info.hotims.com/55596-170 MicroE Optira Series Encoders Celera Motion, Bedford, MA, introduces MicroE Optira™ Series Encoders—the only encoder in its class to provide a resolution of up to 5nm with all automatic gain control, interpolation, and signal processing carried out in the sensor head. The Optira sensor head comes with two mount- ing options and a standard FFC connector that offers the flexibility and durability required by designers focused on compact precision motion control solutions. For Free Info, Visit http://info.hotims.com/55596-172 PM301 AC-DC Power Supplies Protek Power North America, Inc., Hudson, MA, announces the PM301 Series of AC DC switching power supplies in a low profile package of 3 ×6 ×1.5 inches, capable of delivering 300 watts of continuous power with 10 CFM forced air or 200 watts at con- vection cooling. Product is available in open frame, L bracket styles, or factory configured with a cover-and-fan assembly. Supplies are specifically certified for IEC/EN/UL/ES/CSA 60601 1 for medical applications. For Free Info, Visit http://info.hotims.com/55596-173 Multi-Market Electromechanical Switches Pasternack, Irvine, CA, introduces a large portfolio of in-stock general purpose multi- market coaxial packaged electromechanical switches for RF, microwave, and millimeter wave applications. These electromechanical switches are uniquely qualified for use in numerous applications including test & instrumentation and medical equipment. The electromechanical switches consist of 134 connectorized designs that are guaranteed for 1 million life cycles. For Free Info, Visit http://info.hotims.com/55596-174 Piezoelectric Mirror Positioning System New Scale Technologies, Inc., Victor, NY, announces a new develop- er’s kit in its M3 micro-mechatronic product line. The DK-M3-RS-U-1M-20 is a complete piezoelectric mirror positioning system with a galvo-scanner form factor in only a 12mm diameter including the embed- ded closed-loop controller. Patented piezoelectric motors along with position sensors, bearings, drive electronics, and embedded firmware are integrated into a miniature rotary stage. For Free Info, Visit http://info.hotims.com/55596-176 New Perforation Capability Scapa Healthcare, Windsor, CT, announces the launch of its new perforation capability for Scapa Soft-Pro® Silicone Gel adhesives. The new capability allows Scapa Healthcare to offer its strategic business partners an expansive range of skin friendly turn-key solutions for the advanced wound care market. Scapa Soft-Pro Silicone Gel is now available in a 2.8mm perfo- rated format. Material widths range from 90mm to 270mm. For Free Info, Visit http://info.hotims.com/55596-177 PRODUCT OF THE MONTH RF Module Optimized for Implantable Devices Microsemi Corporation, Aliso Viejo, CA, announces the availability of the smallest radio module it has ever produced. The ZL70323 is opti- mized for implantable medical devices such as pacemakers, cardiac defibrillators, and neu- rostimulators—measuring just 5.5mm × 4.5mm × 1.5mm. The new radio module supersedes the company's ZL70321 and com- plements its ZL70120 radio module used for external device controllers. Both modules are based on Microsemi's industry- leading ultralow power (ULP) ZL70103 radio transceiver chip, which supports a very high data rate radio frequency (RF) link for medical implantable communication applications. The ZL70323 implantable module implements all RF-related functions needed to deploy the implant node in a Medical Implantable Communications Service (MICS) RF telemetry sys- tem. The integrated antenna tuning circuit allows the module to be used with a wide range of implantable antennas. Patient health and device performance data can be quickly transmitted with little impact to the battery life of the implanted device. The device operates in the 402–405 MHz MICS band. Multiple low power wake-up options are supported including using an ULP 2.45 GHz industrial, scientific, and medical band wake-up receive option. For Free Info, Visit http://info.hotims.com/55596-168 ew Products N And Services From the Publishers of www.medicaldesignbriefs.com July 2015 Standards-Based Interoperability for E-Health Best Practices in Mold Design Intelligent Tools for Safer Surgeries SPECIAL SECTION: Technology Leaders in Motors & Motion Control

Transcript of How to Get Published in Medical Design Briefs · Medical Design Briefs Vendor-Contributed Briefs...

Page 1: How to Get Published in Medical Design Briefs · Medical Design Briefs Vendor-Contributed Briefs Vendor-contributed tech briefs are ... Feature articles focus on different topics

How to Get Published inMedical Design Briefs

Vendor-Contributed BriefsVendor-contributed tech briefs are

short articles that may be submitted bya company that has developed or per-fected a particular technology orprocess. These briefs information onhow the technology was developed, itsnovelty or uniqueness, specificationsrelated to how the technology oper-ates, and the commercial applicationsand uses for the technology. Briefs arewritten in a non-commercial, vendor-

neutral style and run 500-800 words with one high-resolution image

Application Stories/Case Studies

Application stories are case studiessubmitted by original equipment man-ufacturers that illustrate how a prod-uct was developed and used for a spe-cific application. The case study shouldhighlight novel product features, whythat technology was chosen for a par-ticular application, and its function inthe application. Application stories run1,500 to 1,800 words with up to three

high-resolution images with captions.

Feature ArticlesFeature articles focus on different

topics in each issue. They serve as acomprehensive overview of a technolo-gy, and are written in a non-commer-cial, vendor-neutral, tutorial manner.Companies wishing to contribute thesearticles should contact the editor fordetails. Refer to the editorial calendarfor a complete list of topics by issue.Upon acceptance, you will be given adeadline to send a 2 to 3 paragraph

abstract that outlines the topic of the proposed article several monthsin advance of the issue date. Feature articles run 1,500 to 1,800 wordswith up to three high-resolution images with captions.

New Product SectionsEach issue of Medical Design Briefs

includes a section focused on OEMproducts and services for the medicalindustry. E-mail a product releaseaccompanied by a high-resolutionimage to the editor. Products are chosenfor their technical merit and practicalvalue. Each month, the editor chooses aProduct of the Month that reflects themost significant introduction to themedical design engineering community.

34 www.medicaldesignbriefs.com Medical Design Briefs, January 2016

Linear Guides for the Next Generation of MedicalMachinesDemand for miniaturemotion componentsfollows trends.IKO International, Parsippany, NJ

Not too long ago, the motion systemsused in medical and lab automationequipment had technical requirementsthat were easy to satisfy. These lightlyloaded applications generally requiredsimple point-to-point moves with low tomoderate positioning accuracyrequirements.

With the exception of surgical robotsand some diagnostic systems, many med-ical machines still have modest position-ing accuracy requirements, at least com-pared to applications such as semicon-ductor and electronics assembly. Yet themotion axes in medical machines dohave to run smoothly and quietly, some-times at high speeds.

Medical motion systems have had tobecome more sophisticated in otherrespects to keep pace with two unfold-ing trends in the medical machine mar-ketplace.

� Choosing the Right Linear GuideOne of these trends is miniaturiza-

tion. Diagnostic equipment, DNAsequencers, and other types of automa-tion systems occupy less space than inyears past, and these machines increas-ingly require streamlined mechanicaldesigns. This ongoing shift creates astrong need for miniaturized motioncomponents, especially linear guides.

The other trend is an increasingdemand for reliability and low cost ofownership. Here too, choosing the rightlinear guide can make a big differencein how well the machine runs–and howmuch it will cost to keep running.

The next generation of medicalmachines, then, will need linear guidesthat are compact relative to the loadsthey carry. They will also need to runsmoothly with adequate precision. Andfinally, they will also need design fea-tures that ensure that the machine has along, trouble-free life.

� Trends in Customer DemandsCompact: Like many types of con-

sumer and industrial products, medical

machines of all kinds are shrinking. Totake one example, lab automation sys-tems have been scaled down to meet theneeds of smaller laboratories that haveless floor space—and budget—to spare.

There is an extensive range of minia-ture linear motion products availablethat can meet the requirements of size-constrained medical applications.Among them are the world’s smallestrecirculating ball linear guide, which hasa track rail width of just 1mm and a crosssectional height of 2.5mm, and a tinyball-spline guide, with a shaft diameter of2mm and a cylinder diameter of 6mm.

Smooth: In medical applications, oneof these functional requirements issmoothness. Many guides can move frompoint to point quickly, but not all can doso smoothly. Medical robots and labautomation systems in particular can beespecially sensitive to jerky motion. Inmany medical applications, smoothnesscounts for more than maximum speed.Smoothness also translates to less noise,and quiet motion components arestrongly preferred in any medicalmachine or diagnostic system used inproximity to patients.

When selecting smooth guides formedical machines, look for products thathave a low, uniform sliding resistanceover their travel distance (See Figure 1).

Maintenance-free: The cost of main-tenance, particularly lubrication needs,drives up the cost of ownership formany types of moving machines.Medical and lab automation machinesare no exception.

Manufacturers can supply linearguides with proprietary technology thatallow the units to operate for more than20,000 kilometers or 5 years without theneed to replenish the lubricant. A poly-mer reservoir can be positioned withinthe guide’s slider so that it comes in con-tact with the recirculating balls orrollers. Surface tension in the porouspolymer would then continually bringlubricant to the surface of the reservoir,allowing lubricant to transfer to the ballsor rollers as they pass by. This methodcan be much more cost-effective andcleaner than other maintenance-freemethods that apply lubricant directly tothe guide rails via a lubricating plate.

Lubricating plates, which remain incontact with the rails, can also haveanother downside. The plate canincrease the drag forces on the slider,driving up the guide’s overall resistance.

Reliable, long life: There are manyreasons why a linear guide can fail to liveup to its projected life cycle. Unabatedcontamination, for example, can short-en the life of a linear guide. So canexcess temperatures. So can mechanicaldesign or installation errors that causemisalignment between the sliders andrails. All these failure modes are possiblein medical applications, but the mostcommon and easily avoidable prematurefailures result from under- or over-lubri-cation of linear motion components.

This article was written by Yuichi Ikeuchi,Engineering Manager, IKO International,Parsippany, NJ. For more information, visithttp://info.hotims.com/61057-167.

Fig. 1 - Even when preloaded, linear guides can run smoothly, as shown by the uniform frictional resist-ance data.

Medical Design Briefs provides the engineering community with the latest medical technology and biomedical break-throughs from NASA, industry, and other R&D leaders worldwide. Articles and tech briefs focus on advances in technol-

ogy, materials, manufacturing, and regulatory issues that are shaping the future design of medical devices, components, and systems. Each issue reports on electronics, sensors, test & measurement, imaging, software, materials, mechanical compo-nents, manufacturing/prototyping, and much more. Opportunities to submit editorial content are outlined below. Note that articles are confirmed several months in advance of the issue date.

Cover ArtHigh-resolution full-color photos or computer-generated images for

consideration as front-cover art for Medical Design Briefs are welcomed fromarticle contributors in every issue. To be considered, artwork must be aninnovative, original dynamic image that depicts an application, product, ormodel of an object in bright, vibrant color. Special background treatmentsand lighting techniques may be used to highlight the subject. Contact theeditor for more details.

All material for editorial consideration in Medical Design Briefs should be submitted to Sherrie Trigg;Phone: 310-613-4933; e-mail: [email protected].

See the Medical Design Briefs editorial calendar for submission deadlines.

10 www.medicaldesignbriefs.com Medical Design Briefs, December 2015

Engineering thermoplastics areused throughout the consumerelectronics (CE) industry todaybecause they enable design free-

dom while also providing high per-formance capabilities. Although theindustries differ, with CE having fewerregulations and being faster to marketas an example, many of these existingmaterials can provide excellent solu-tions to medical device designers andmanufacturers who are challenged tocontinue bringing new and innovativeideas to the healthcare industry. Thisarticle focuses on the features andbenefits of high-performance plasticsused in consumer electronic devicesand their translatability to the health-care industry to help address similartrends and needs in medical devicesand equipment.

The increased availability of im -proved healthcare has been a con-tributing factor to longer life expectan-cies globally, which in turn has led to arising population growth. According tothe Population Reference Bureau(www.prb.org/wpds/2015), the popula-

tion estimate for 2050 is 9.8 billion, a 34percent increase (2.5 billion) from the2015 population estimate of 7.3 billion.Between 2015 and 2050, the proportionof the world’s population over 60 yearswill nearly double from about 12 per-cent to 22 percent, as reported by theWorld Health Organization (WHO)(www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs404/en). The continual rise in popula-tion, especially of the elderly, puts a strainon the existing healthcare infrastructureparticularly with challenges in accessibili-ty to hospitals and doctors. As a result, thedemand for cost-saving advanced medicaltechnologies that are available remotely,where the need for care exists, continuesto grow—from local clinics, to workplaceinfirmaries, to homes.

At the same time, urbanization and agrowing middle class have changed thehealthcare landscape, making medicalcare more affordable and available.According to the United NationsDepartment of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) (www.un.org/development/desa/en/news/population/world-urbanization-prospects .html),

by 2050, 66 percent of the world’s popu-lation will live in cities. A higher socio-economic status has enabled greateraccess to mobile communication tech-nologies, leading to the adoption and useof smart devices in our everyday lives—from financial transactions to home secu-rity monitoring. This trend has drivenhigher expectations for convenience andflexibility in medical services and hasresulted in a growing mobile health seg-ment, which includes equipment for self-testing and self-monitoring that is light-weight, portable, easy to operate, andcapable of data acquisition and transmis-sion. (See Figure 1)

Consumers Have Similar DeviceRequirements

These trends have led medical devicemanufacturers, which typically sell tohospitals and physicians, to a new set ofcustomers for remote and mobilehealthcare who need to be satisfied. Theconsumers who are buying portableelectronic devices, such as mobilephones, GPS systems, tablet and ultra-notebook PCs, are also medical patients

Materials Designed for Consumer Electronics Provide Insights for Medical Devices

Fig. 1 – Greateraccess to mobilecommunications

and the advance-ments of material

technologies arehelping to power

the growth of themobile healthcare

segment, whichincludes devices

that are light-weight, portable,easy to operate,

and capable ofdata acquisition

and transmission.

M

50 www.medicaldesignbriefs.com Medical Design Briefs, November 2015

Technological advancements are making medical devicesincreasingly feature-rich and miniaturized: two performance

characteristics that are inherently conflicting, thus requiringincreasingly sophisticated battery power management solutions.

Battery-powered devices span the entire medical spectrum,from surgical drills and power tools, to automatic externaldefibrillators (AEDs), robotic inspection systems, infusionpumps, bone growth stimulators and other wearable devices,glucose monitors, blood oxygen meters, cauterizers, RFID assettracking tags, and other remote wireless devices.

Application-specific requirements dictate the choice ofpower supply, including:• Reliability: patient wellness depends on procedure outcome• High power-to-size ratio: keeping the medical device small,

lightweight and ergonomic for ease of use and accuracy• Long shelf life: making sure the instrument in in working

order even after prolonged storage without having torecharge or replace the battery

• High temperature survivability: for autoclave sterilization• Cold temperature operability: for reliable operation in the

cold chain • Ability to supply high pulses: extra power needed to run

motors and communications circuits.

� Consumer or Industrial Grade?Certain devices will continue to be powered by consumer

grade alkaline and rechargeable batteries. However, indus-

trial grade lithium primary batteries are increasingly beingutilized in advanced medical equipment, as lithium chem-istry offers the highest specific energy (energy per unitweight) and energy density (energy per unit volume) of anyavailable chemistry. Lithium cells have a nominal open cir-cuit voltage of between 1.7 and 3.9V. Their electrolyte is alsonon-aqueous, permitting certain cells to operate in extremetemperatures.

� A Wide Choice of Primary Lithium ChemistriesAs Table 1 shows, several primary lithium battery chemistries

are available. For example, lithium manganese dioxide(LiMNO2) batteries are commonly used to power hand-heldglucose monitors. These cells are inexpensive, easily replaced,and good enough for most in-home applications.

Lithium sulfur dioxide (LiSO2) batteries deliver high pulses,especially at low temperatures, but add bulk due to their lowenergy density. These batteries also have high annual self-dis-charge rates.

Bobbin-type lithium thionyl chloride (LiSOCL2) cells fea-ture the highest energy density, highest capacity, and lowestself-discharge rate, which is ideal for use in long-life applica-tions that require small amounts of current. Bobbin-typeLiSOCL2 cells can also operate at extreme temperatures (-80°Cto 125°C), making them suitable for autoclave sterilization.Specially modified bobbin-type LiSOCL2 batteries can with-stand temperatures as low as -80°C (with certain cells surviving

Powering Tomorrow’s Medicine: Critical Decisions for Batteriesin Medical Applications

LiSOCL2 w/hybrid Layer capacitor LithiumCharacteristics LiSOCL2 bobbin-type (PulsesPlus) metal oxide LiSO2 LiMnO2

Energy density (Wh/1) 1,420 1,420 680 410 650

Power Low High High High Moderate

Voltage 3.6V 3.6V – 3.9V 4.1V 3.0V 3.0V

Pulse amplitude Small High Very high High Moderate

Passivation High Fair Fair Fair Moderate

Performance atelevated temperature Fair Excellent Excellent Moderate Fair

Performance atlow temperature Fair Excellent Excellent Excellent Poor

Operating life Excellent Excellent Excellent Moderate Fair

Self-discharge rate Low Low Low Moderate Moderate

Operating temperature -80°C to 125°C -40°C to 85°C -40°C to 85°C -55°C to 60°C 0°C to 60°C

Operating life 20 years + 20 years + 20 years 10 years 5 years

Typical applications Bone healers, oxygen Automatic external Automatic external Automatic external Glucose monitors meters, devices that defibrillators (AED), defibrillators (AED), defibrillators (AED)

are sterilized, modifiable devices to be sterilized cauterizer, disposablefor the cold chain power tools, resuscitation

Table 1 – Primary Lithium Battery Characteristics.

From the Publishers of

Engineering Thermoplasticsfor Healthcare UseBenefits of Overmolding Technology Embedded Database Software to Manage RisksVote for Readers’ Choice Product of the Year

www.medicaldesignbriefs.com

December 2015

INSIDE: 2016 Product Buyer’s Guide page 28

74 www.medicaldesignbriefs.com Medical Design Briefs, December 2015

� TubeDyne Treating System3DT LLC, Germantown, WI, intro-

duces the TubeDyne Treating Systemdesigned to treat medical tube ends fora permanent bond to surgical instru-ments, housings, or other tubingincluding catheters. TubeDyne har-nesses arc plasma, which alters the sur-face energy on pebax and polyethylenetubing, creating a strong bond withadhesives, coatings, and ink. 3DT’s

TubeDyne uniformly and gently treats tubing within its self-contained,compact, tabletop unit.

For Free Info, Visit http://info.hotims.com/55596-169

� Thermistors for Medical MarketsSensor Scientific, Inc.,

Fairfield, NJ, designs, develops,and manufactures temperaturesensors for medical applications.Thermistor sensors are availablefor patient skin temperaturemonitoring, ambient tempera-ture monitoring, esophagealcatheters, and myocardial tem-perature probes. The company announces that its Sensor Scientific400 Series 2252 ohm thermistor is recognized as the de facto stan-dard in medical markets.

For Free Info, Visit http://info.hotims.com/55596-170

� MicroE Optira Series EncodersCelera Motion, Bedford, MA, introduces

MicroE Optira™ Series Encoders—the onlyencoder in its class to provide a resolution ofup to 5nm with all automatic gain control,interpolation, and signal processing carried

out in the sensor head. The Optira sensor head comes with two mount-ing options and a standard FFC connector that offers the flexibility anddurability required by designers focused on compact precision motioncontrol solutions.

For Free Info, Visit http://info.hotims.com/55596-172

� PM301 AC-DC Power SuppliesProtek Power North America, Inc.,

Hudson, MA, announces the PM301 Seriesof AC DC switching power supplies in a lowprofile package of 3 × 6 × 1.5 inches, capableof delivering 300 watts of continuous powerwith 10 CFM forced air or 200 watts at con-vection cooling. Product is available in openframe, L bracket styles, or factory configured with a cover-and-fanassembly. Supplies are specifically certified for IEC/EN/UL/ES/CSA60601 1 for medical applications.

For Free Info, Visit http://info.hotims.com/55596-173

� Multi-Market Electromechanical SwitchesPasternack, Irvine, CA, introduces a large

portfolio of in-stock general purpose multi-market coaxial packaged electromechanicalswitches for RF, microwave, and millimeterwave applications. These electromechanicalswitches are uniquely qualified for use innumerous applications including test &instrumentation and medical equipment.

The electromechanical switches consist of 134 connectorized designsthat are guaranteed for 1 million life cycles.

For Free Info, Visit http://info.hotims.com/55596-174

� Piezoelectric Mirror Positioning SystemNew Scale Technologies, Inc., Victor, NY, announces a new develop-

er’s kit in its M3 micro-mechatronic product line.The DK-M3-RS-U-1M-20 is a complete piezoelectricmirror positioning system with a galvo-scanner formfactor in only a 12mm diameter including the embed-ded closed-loop controller. Patented piezoelectricmotors along with position sensors, bearings, driveelectronics, and embedded firmware are integratedinto a miniature rotary stage.

For Free Info, Visit http://info.hotims.com/55596-176

� New Perforation CapabilityScapa Healthcare, Windsor, CT, announces

the launch of its new perforation capability forScapa Soft-Pro® Silicone Gel adhesives. Thenew capability allows Scapa Healthcare to offerits strategic business partners an expansive

range of skin friendly turn-key solutions for the advanced wound caremarket. Scapa Soft-Pro Silicone Gel is now available in a 2.8mm perfo-rated format. Material widths range from 90mm to 270mm.

For Free Info, Visit http://info.hotims.com/55596-177

PRODUCT OF THE MONTH� RF Module Optimized

for Implantable DevicesMicrosemi Corporation, Aliso

Viejo, CA, announces the availabilityof the smallest radio module it hasever produced. The ZL70323 is opti-mized for implantable medicaldevices such as pacemakers, cardiac defibrillators, and neu-rostimulators—measuring just 5.5mm × 4.5mm × 1.5mm. Thenew radio module supersedes the company's ZL70321 and com-plements its ZL70120 radio module used for external devicecontrollers. Both modules are based on Microsemi's industry-leading ultralow power (ULP) ZL70103 radio transceiver chip,which supports a very high data rate radio frequency (RF) linkfor medical implantable communication applications.

The ZL70323 implantable module implements all RF-relatedfunctions needed to deploy the implant node in a MedicalImplantable Communications Service (MICS) RF telemetry sys-tem. The integrated antenna tuning circuit allows the module tobe used with a wide range of implantable antennas.

Patient health and device performance data can be quicklytransmitted with little impact to the battery life of the implanteddevice. The device operates in the 402–405 MHz MICS band.Multiple low power wake-up options are supported includingusing an ULP 2.45 GHz industrial, scientific, and medical bandwake-up receive option.

For Free Info, Visit http://info.hotims.com/55596-168

ew ProductsN And Services

From the Publisher

s of

www.medicaldesignbriefs.com

July 2015

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