Design

  • Peristaltic Pump Made of Polysulphone Withstands High Temperatures, Aggressive Chemicals
    An ultracompact peristaltic pump made from a chemical and heat-resistant polysulphone material has been developed by Welco Company, Ltd. (Fuchu, Tokyo). The rigid, high-strength polymer enables the new WPM series pumps to be exposed to isopropyl alcohol and other chemicals and to withstand elevated ...
    (August, 2010)
  • Sensing Progress
    High-voltage, optical, position and current sensor assemblies support the precision, stability and reliability requirements of medical equipment.
    (June, 2010)
  • Medical Product Design: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
    What is the need? What will add maximum value for the end user? It is in this area that the design industry has developed significantly over the past 20 years.
    (June, 2010)
  • Using Biomimetic Implants to Restore Lost Functions
    Building on advances in brain-computer interface technology and computational biology, the ReNaChip project lays the groundwork for the use of a prosthetic chip to recover function to nervous system deficiencies.
    (June, 2010)
  • Developing Medical Device Software to IEC 62304
    Medical software design standard IEC 62304 has just come into force. This article describes how it will impact the software development process for medical device manufacturers.
    (June, 2010)
  • Endovascular Device Testing
    A large range of medical devices access the vasculature in a minimally invasive manner, usually percutaneously. Rigorous testing is required for design verification, CE-marking and US FDA submissions of these products. As an example, an overview is provided of the requirements for design validatio...
    (May, 2010)
  • Nanoscience and Future Trends in Medical Technologies
    This article takes a broad overview of some of the ways nanotechnology is being applied to medical technologies and assesses the impact that this may have for industry.
    (May, 2010)
  • People on the Move - May 2010
      ODU Announces New Director of Sales Thomas Mittermeier has been named a member of the ODU general management, taking over the position of Director Sales at ODU Steckverbindungssysteme in Mühldorf, Germany. Mittermeier has gained comprehensive experience in the sales field in recent y...
    (May, 2010)
  • Manufacturing Components for a Micro Litre Drug Delivery System
    The ideal for intravenous drug delivery in the home is a small portable device that can be hidden discretely on the patient. The development and manufacture of a micro drug pump of this type are described.
    (April, 2010)
  • A Revolution in Healthcare
    The healthcare industry is on the cusp of significant change. The value-for-money evaluation of a product/treatment on a patient-by-patient basis, the increasing integration of electronics and communication and the move towards diagnostic test kits and medical devices directly linked to individual h...
    (April, 2010)
  • Integrated Microfluidic Devices in Diagnostics
    This article charts the important design steps involved in creating a single device on which are integrated all the analytical process steps necessary for diagnosis. Two examples of innovative devices of this type are given, which are taking the microfluidics sector closer to commerci...
    (April, 2010)
  • An Ultra-Low Power Inchworm Actuator for In Vivo Applications
    A novel electrostatic inchworm micro-actuator with integrated microprobe is described. Using the principle of hydrophobia, the device is made waterproof, which makes it suitable for a range of in vivo applications, including for accurate position control of micro needles in brain applications.
    (March, 2010)
  • Testing Transcatheter Heart Valve Devices
    Implementing and conducting a robust and efficient in vitro test validation protocol for transcatheter heart valve devices is complex. This article proposes a method to reduce cost and to optimise the development cycle of these products.
    (March, 2010)
  • Computational Simulation in Biomechanics: Theory and Applications
    A powerful tool is described that can provide rapid design scenarios, accuracy and realistic images that also contain considerable quantifiable data for device evaluation before manufacture. Application examples include the use of the technique for dental implants and facial reconstruction.
    (March, 2010)
  • Reducing Time from Diagnosis to Treatment
    A series of interviews from EMDT that offers personal perspectives on the diverse and dymanic medical device industry. Here we talk to Arindam Mukherjee.
    (February, 2010)
  • The Alternatives for Medical Device Insulation Testing
    This article describes the tests used to assess the integrity of insulation in electrical appliances. Each test method has its relative merits and place in periodic testing, providing the different limitations of each are understood.
    (February, 2010)
  • Monitoring Movement Using Motion Sensors
    The results of clinical trials of a gait measuring system are reported here that is designed for use in the outpatient clinic or the home. Its capabilities and range of potential applications are described.
    (February, 2010)
  • Manoeuvring In Vivo Devices with External Magnetic Fields
    When put closely together, the forces between magnetic objects can be enormous. However, using magnets to manoeuvre objects over larger distances is not easy. This article describes research developments in a European project1 that aims to manoeuvre and orient a camera capsule in the stomach and oes...
    (January, 2010)
  • Peelable Materials for Flexible Packaging
    In response to the need for higher manufacturing output, packaging consistency and increased validation scrutiny, packaging material suppliers have introduced new packaging formulations. This article examines the benefits of using peelable materials for the fabrication of flexible packaging for medi...
    (January, 2010)
  • Smooth Operators: Technology to Improve Hospital Performance
    Replacing difficult to clean surfaces with flat, touch-sensitive screens could be the way forward in the fight against nosocomial infections. In addition incorporating printed light guide technology in hospital equipment allows ease of use and reduces the risk of human error.
    (January, 2010)
  • Needles: A Comparison Study
    More than 50 million injections of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) for multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic, disabling neurological condition, are performed annually. In other therapy areas such as diabetes where the injection burden is far greater, immense strides have been made to improve patient...
    (November, 2009)
  • Isolating USB Connections in Medical Equipment
    Although offering several benefits, the universal serial bus (USB) port has not been rapidly adopted for connecting medical equipment. This is because it could affect safety procedures, with equipment not operating isolated from the mains. To overcome this, a single package isolation device has b...
    (November, 2009)
  • Closed-Loop Micropumps
    The small size, low power consumption and attractive price of micropumps make them ideal for use in medical delivery systems. This article discusses two designs of closed-loop controlled micropumps that can be employed to meet differing levels of accuracy and portability.
    (November, 2009)
  • New literature, cd-roms, videos and podcasts
    Motion control components   A general catalogue in two cross-referenced volumes presents the entire line of motion control components available from a specialist supplier. Available in English and German versions, the catalogue provides full information about linear guides, linear actuators...
    (November, 2009)
  • A Higher Power
    Small and Efficient Nuclear Battery Uses Liquid Semiconductor
    (November, 2009)