Spotlight

SPOTLIGHT

Surface-mount headers

Surface-mount header assemblies are an alternative to straight-pin and turned-pin headers. The spring probes used i n the assemblies are said to provide significantly more contact resiliency than conventional headers. With six contacts per header, the components are suitable for applications such as medical device battery contacts. Contact lengths range from 2 to 9 mm at full travel. The headers are stackable to form 2 × 6 or 1 × 12 arrays, and they offer a current rating of 12 A and resistance of 10 mž. Synergetix, Kansas City, KS, USA.

Connectors

An alternative to exclusively metallic push-pull connectors, a line of plastic circular connectors with metal housings is compatible with the company’s standard plastic connectors. The connectors reportedly achieve more than 1000 mating cycles with absolute mating and mounting compatibility with the company’s existing plastic-housed connectors. Available in seven colours, the flexible connectors accommodate front, rear, and front-and-rear panel assembly. ODU Steckverbindungssysteme GmbH and Co., Mühldorf, Germany.

Fibre-optic connectors

Suitable for harsh environments, push-pull connectors offer a DIN EN 60529 protection rating of IP65/67. Reportedly the first LC fibre-optic connectors to comply with industrial-cabling requirements, the robust connectors are vibration protected and provide an easily accessible industrial connection with a small footprint. Suited for a range of applications including panel feed-through, the connectors avoid problems that can affect copper-based connectors at high data rates and large transmission distances. Harting, Espelkamp, Germany.

Zero-insertion-force connectors

Suitable for high-resolution ultrasound applications, zero-insertion-force connectors feature more than 400 circuits, as opposed to the 260 circuits of standard connectors. Capable of transmitting data with minimal crosstalk, the connectors are an alternative to conventional pin-and-socket attachments. The patented landed contacts can mate directly to the printed circuit board on ultrasound machines. The number of contacts in the connectors is selectable from 136-way to 408-way to meet design needs of specific equipment. Current is rated at 0.5 A, and contact resistance measures 30 mž. ITT Industries, White Plains, NY, USA.

PC-card enclosures and connectors

A range of standard and custom PC-card enclosures and connectors is available. The ExpressCard fits into standard host adapters with one common connector size. A smaller and faster alternative to the PCMCIA card, the product is available in two sizes and can interface with portable devices, laptops, and PCs. Both cards are 5 mm thick and can accommodate antennas and other connectors. Both frame kits and connectors conform to UL specifications and have PCMCIA-ExpressCard-SIG certification. Custom versions can be tailored to the requirements of medical devices. Duel Systems, San Jose, CA, USA.

High-flex coil cords

A company offers a complete range of durable high-flex coil cords, which are manufactured using a variety of high-performance RoHS–compliant materials. Available in standard and mixed conductor gauges, the cords are said to provide failure-free service in rugged environments, and are offered with standard and custom flex reliefs. The product line is suited to applications requiring long extension life, sag-resistant coil memory, and flexible performance. Custom and in-stock coiled cords are also available with a variety of jacket compounds and shieldings. Whitney Blake, Bellows Falls, VT, USA.

Atrial four-lead cables

A line of shielded atrial catheter cables for use with medical diagnostic equipment meets DIN 42802-2 and IEC 60601-1, sub 56.3 specifications and applicable AAMI/AMSI EC-53 performance requirements. The flexible, multiconductor, low-capacitance trunk cable is double shielded to reduce EMI/EMF triboelectric noise and is available in various lengths. The trunk cable and shielded lead-wire jackets, yoke, and strain reliefs are made of thermoplastic rubber. The shrouded 0.080-in. pin leads are available in 4 to 14 conductor configurations and 10 colours. All cables are terminated with various device connectors and can withstand repeated autoclave cycles in addition to gamma and EtO sterilization. Bioconnect, San Diego, CA, USA.

PTFE-coated wire

A dielectric PTFE coating can be applied in thicknesses ranging from 0.00127 to 0.0127 mm to wires measuring 0.025 to 0.762 mm diam. Suitable for stainless-steel alloy wires used in the medical industry, the coating process ensures complete and even coverage. The typical colour of the coating is green, although clear finishes and other colours are also offered. Sandvik Materials Technology, Düsseldorf, Germany.