Market Place

Diaphragm dosing pump aims for simplicity
A diaphragm dosing pump developed by KNF Flodos in cooperation with Sanofi Aventis incorporates an intuitive user interface in the form of a push-in control knob and easy-to-read display. Suited for transferring corrosive liquids typically found in lab environments, the Simdos pump is available with heads in various materials including PTFE. For added safety, the head is positioned outside the device’s splash-protected IP-65 housing. The pump sets a benchmark in fast, precise calibration, according to the company. Following calibration, the pump achieves ±1% repeatability and accommodates 0 to 100 ml/min flow rates and volumes of 0 to 1000 ml. The pump can be run dry and is self priming at up to 3 m.
KNF Flodos AG
Wassermatte, Switzerland +41 41 925 0025 00
www.knflab.com
 

Integrated fan sinks enable low-profile cooling system designs
Fan sinks developed by Cool Innovations reportedly are the slimmest pin-fin fan sinks on the market. Available in copper and aluminium, the integrated devices are composed of a pin-fin heat sink and embedded fan. This unique configuration enables the low profile of the active cooling systems. The integrated fan-sink line is designed for applications with height restrictions that require substantial cooling power. Sizes range from a minimum overall height of 0.42 in. to a maximum 0.63 in. with footprints from 1.81 × 1.81 to 4.1 × 2.05 in. They can fit into single-slot PCI Express, ATCA and other height-sensitive applications.
Cool Innovations
Concord, ON, Canada +1 905 760 1992
www.coolinnovations.com
 

Hydrophilic porous PSA expands IVD device capabilities
A pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) that rapidly transmits fluids or gasses while bonding filters and membranes brings new capabilities to in vitro diagnostic (IVD) devices. The hydrophilic ARcare 92205 film features a stable pore structure of isolated channels in the z-axis. This design guides aqueous fluids evenly from one layer to the next, thus preventing fluid spread that can affect test accuracy. The pores’ uniformly distributed open cells create a low-density, permeable structure. Pore diameters range from 200 to 500 µm and have 30 to 50% porosity with a finished film thickness of 2 to 8 mil. Hydrophilic PSA technology is suitable for bonding filters and advanced separation materials, coupling multiple layers of membranes or filters in lateral- and vertical-flow devices and allowing uniform gas exchange through porous seals in microplate applications.
Adhesives Research Ireland Ltd
Limerick, Ireland +353 6 130 0300
www.adhesivesresearch.com
 

Pulse-free pump provides ultra-smooth operation
A new addition to the Mitos family of pumps from Dolomite Centre Ltd, the Mitos P-pump was introduced to European medical device manufacturers at the Compamed trade show in Düsseldorf, Germany, in November 2009. The product provides pulse-free liquid flow using a precise pressure-driven pumping mechanism, which pushes the fluid through the channels. Since the pump does not rely on fluid displacement technology, liquid flow is extremely smooth and devoid of turbulence.

Operating over a 0 to 10 bar pressure range, the pump is suitable for use with systems that have high fluidic resistance. A lockable pressure chamber offers easy access and accommodates standard and nonstandard fluid vessels.
Dolomite Centre Ltd
Royston, UK +44 1763 242 491
www.dolomite-microfluidics.com
 

System automatically monitors melt viscosity in mould cavity
Switzerland-based Priamus has developed an automated technology that cost-effectively monitors melt viscosity values in the mould cavity. Conventional methods using a rheometer are relatively expensive and complex. Moreover, they do not reflect in-process variations. The system developed by Priamus automatically detects rising pressure and temperature values during the injection cycle. The software can monitor several viscosities, shear rates and shear stresses in one injection mould. For the reference value, the melt temperature or cavity temperature can be entered manually. Viscosities can be monitored cyclically in each cavity of a multicavity mould or in different sections of a large part, enabling real viscosity deviations to be detected on the spot.
Priamus
Schaffhausen, Switzerland
+41 52 632 2605
www.priamus.com
 

Pouching machine promises labour savings
A maker of packaging equipment has developed a machine that it claims provides medical device manufacturers with a way to dramatically lower packaging costs for products packaged in Tyvek, Mylar and other barrier pouches. To reduce labour costs, packagers traditionally have had to choose between a high-cost form, fill and seal machine or a low-cost machine that requires the use of expensive preformed pouches. The new Magnum MD system from PAC Machinery Group is described as an inexpensive machine that allows packagers to use low-cost tubing materials rather than preformed pouches.
PAC Machinery Group
San Rafael, CA, USA +1 866 773 6736.
www.pacmachinery.com
 

Hard-to-clean nooks and crannies eliminated in new thermoforming machine line
A new Clean Design line of roll-stock thermoforming machines is designed to meet the rigorous requirements of the medical device and pharmaceutical industries by allowing easy cleaning while ensuring complete product traceability. Corners and hidden spots have been eliminated, all of the machine modules are accessible, and the frame can be opened along the entire line. Cables are routed along the machine frame in a fully enclosed housing. The system was recently exhibited with a printing module based on drop-on-demand (DoD) technology from Switzerland-based Hapa (www.hapa.ch). Suited for late-stage customisation, the DoD system can separate out country- and customer-specific labelling, for example, until all other processes have been completed. Because the system prints directly within the packaging line, no externally printed film is used.
Multivac
Wolfertschwenden, Germany +49 8334 601 495
www.multivac.de
 

New TPE formulations form strong bond with HDPE substrates
Teknor Apex Ltd has introduced thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) compounds that exhibit twice the adhesive strength of standard TPEs when overmoulded onto high-density polyethylene (HDPE) substrates. The company will use the technology to formulate custom TPE compounds in its Medalist range of medical-grade elastomers. “While device manufacturers are increasingly turning to multi-shot injection moulding as a way to eliminate assembly, existing off-the-shelf TPEs exhibit limited adhesion when over-moulded on HDPE substrates,” explains Nick Sandland, Senior Market Manager at the company’s Thermoplastic Elastomer division in Pawtucket, RI, USA. “New formulation technology enables Teknor Apex to custom-compound TPEs that provide stronger bonds to HDPE [while showing] less variation in bond strength, yielding a more consistent product.” Teknor Apex expects to apply the new HDPE-bonding technology across the gamut of TPE polymer types in its Medalist product range.

Teknor Apex compared HDPE samples over-moulded with an HDPE-bonding Medalist TPE versus samples with one of its standard hydrogenated styrenic block copolymer (HSBC) TPEs using a common 180º peel adhesion test. The median adhesion, or peel strength, of the Medalist TPE was twice as great as that of the HSBC—42.086 as opposed to 21.412 pounds per linear inch. Moreover, the variation in peel strength among different test samples was less than half as great with Medalist as it was with HSBC.

“The failure mode exhibited by the HSBC was adhesive, which means that failure took place at the interface between the TPE and the HDPE,” Sandland says. “By contrast, the failure mode of the Medalist TPE was cohesive—the TPE itself tears before the bond to HDPE fails.” The accompanying photo shows cohesive failure occurring during a peel test of a Medalist/HDPE sample.

While the high-strength bond to HDPE is new to medical TPEs, it is an outgrowth of a technology long used by Teknor Apex for beverage bottle cap liners. The US FDA–regulated application involves bonding TPE to the inside of a rigid screw cap, which is typically moulded from HDPE.
Teknor Apex UK Ltd
Oldbury, UK +44 121 665 2100
www.teknorapex.com
 

Servo-controlled ultrasonic welding system introduced
Dukane Corp.’s Ultrasonics Division has announced what it claims is industry’s first servo-controlled ultrasonic welding system for medical applications and other high-value components. The iQ welder is based on the company’s new Melt Match technology, which reportedly delivers greater repeatability, stronger welds, easier validation calibration and lower manufacturing costs than standard pneumatic welders.

At the heart of the system is Melt Match technology, which precisely controls the speed of the collapse profile during the weld. Collapsing too slowly may cause material degradation while a collapse rate that is too fast may result in cold forming. Melt Match precisely matches the collapse speed during the melt phase, according to Dukane, resulting in deep penetration of the ultrasound waves into the bond area. The process’s high repeatability leads to fewer rejects. Test results cited by the manufacturer show that the average standard deviation for filter housing parts welded on a servo unit was 1.8% compared with 6.6% for components welded on a pneumatic machine.
Dukane Corp., Ultrasonics Div.
St. Charles, IL, USA +1 630 797 4902
www.dukane.com