Edge computing technology is transforming healthcare by bringing real-time information and insights closer to medical teams. As such, hospitals are becoming smarter faster with low-latency computing and optimized workflows. Taiwan-based Advantech recently introduced the USM-100H, a medical-grade, slim mini-computer tailored for clinical applications in the healthcare industry. The new device measures 230.6 x 169.5 x…
Reinventing heuristics for design and risk management
By Jeff Morang | Director of Human Factors Engineering • BlackHӓgen Design Incorporating Human Factors Engineering and Usability Engineering (HFE/UE) processes during medical device development greatly increases the chances that devices will be safe and effective for intended users in the intended use environments and meet the expectations and requirements of regulatory authorities. The HFE/UE…
Advantages of high-performance rotary seals for industrial electric motors
By Darren Conway, Global Product Line Director, Trelleborg Sealing Solutions Many industrial sectors, including aerospace, semiconductor, automotive, and biopharmaceutical, require rotary seals as original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) switch from hydraulic to electric motor systems for greener solutions and improved product performance. Globally, the industrial sector is responsible for 33% of greenhouse gas emissions, and in the…
Sifting clear audio from background noise
Powerful statistical techniques can discern a desired audio signal from a jumble of inputs. Dave Betts • AudioTelligence Most of us live and work in the midst of noise. We have become used to contending with the sounds of other people talking, music playing, the TV blaring, traffic roaring… Our brains are pretty amazing at…
3D-MID –minimized sensing high-tech within the patient
What would our world look like in 1D or 2D? Well, 3D is our natural human visual reality and it is impossible to imagine life without it. In recent years, 3D has also become more and more a reality in modern high tech. How do designers and engineers in medical device technology use this new…
Leveraging Wireless Power for medical application
by Brig General (ret) Craig Baker, Acting COO & Cherif Chibane, CTO at WiGL Wearable medical devices play a vital role in healthcare for the military and civilians. Small, portable, and easy to wear, these devices assist first responders, war-fighters and patients with services ranging from physiological diseases like muscle disorders to neurocognitive disorders such…
How injection molding can help power wheelchair applications
Brothers Barry and Jered Dean didn’t set out to start a company. But nothing on the market solved their problem: Keeping Barry’s daughter, Katherine, safe in her power wheelchair. Users can get hurt if the devices, which weigh hundreds of pounds, tip over or run into objects. That happened to Katherine, who was born with…
High-pressure solenoid pump offers fluid control for rigorous needs
Spartan Scientific releases its SSDP, a miniature fixed-displacement solenoid pump. Spartan’s expert team has designed the component from the ground up to work within the rigorous environments of scientific and medical applications among others that require finite fluid control. The Spartan SSDP is highly accurate and reliable with few moving parts, making it an ideal…
Overcoming fear of failure in medical device development
All failures are a lesson learned. But cultivating relationships across disciplines, especially when projects “fail,” improves the odds of success. Bret Ludwig, Ph.D. Senior Product Development Specialist, 3M Medical Materials & Technologies A sentiment from John C. Maxwell that device development teams could hear more often is, “Fail early, fail often, but always fail forward.”…
Designing a handheld ultrasound device
The design goal was to empower healthcare workers at all levels of expertise to make life-altering decisions at the point of care — while removing the technical barriers and capital outlays contributing to the high cost of healthcare. Thus, began the process of designing a handheld ultrasound device. The developers were Dr. Amin Nikoozadeh, of…
Putting prosthetic hands into motion
A prosthesis or prosthetic implant is an artificial device that replaces a missing part of the body, which might have been lost due to accident, trauma, disease, or congenital disorder. An orthopedic prosthetic is an artificial limb designed to substitute the missing body part of a patient. It is intended to restore a degree of…
Emerson’s new ultrasonic generators
Emerson has introduced its new BransonTM GCX Series of ultrasonic generators, which combine user-friendly digital controls, advanced features, and a more compact footprint to precisely control the delivery of ultrasonic energy for precision cleaning systems used in medical, electronic, automotive and other industries. The compact design of the Branson GCX Series generator is 15% smaller…
20 medical device startups you need to know
The medtech industry isn’t immune from COVID-19 troubles, but exciting innovation continues. These 20 medical device startups have grabbed our attention. Tom Salemi, DeviceTalks Editorial Director and Sean Whooley, Assistant Editor A number of medical device startups continue to make waves across the space, with new technologies and eye-watering fundraising rounds highlighting some exciting prospects.…
Ultrasonics creates seal for critical medical device
Life sciences company MilliporeSigma recently turned to Emerson when heat sealing and ultrasonic welding failed to successfully seal a filter membrane to its plastic housing for a microfiltration device planned to assist in bioscience research. MilliporeSigma supplies microfiltration membranes for bioscience research, as well as for use in the manufacture of high-tech medical devices requiring…
Bringing point-of-care tests from lab to life
A look at best practices in the design and development of microfluidic devices for point-of-care diagnostics. Dave Franta, Global Business Manager, 3M Medical Materials and Technologies Jake Eldridge, Senior Manufacturing Technology Engineer, 3M Medical Materials and Technologies Microfluidic devices are used to enable rapid results at the diagnostic point-of-care around the world. The results give…
Festo assigns teams to COVID-19 respiratory ventilator development and protective gear manufacture
Festo North America and subsidiary Fabco-Air Inc., classified essential businesses, are continuing to supply pneumatic and electric drive technology to distributors, equipment manufacturers, and end users in North America. Supporting solutions for COVID-19 “Festo has launched focused coronavirus mitigation projects,” said Craig Correia, Director of Life Science & Process Industries, Festo North America. “Among several […]
Hack the crisis: That was fast! FDA begins approving modified bag resuscitators for use as ventilators
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has begun approving for use during the COVID-19 pandemic bag resuscitators that have been converted to respiratory ventilators. Late in March, the FDA issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) that cleared the way for such modifications by eliminating a mandate that manufacturing facilities follow current good manufacturing practices (CGMP),…
Emerson ramps up face mask production with Branson ultrasonic bonding
As the United States continues to deal with COVID-19, the disease caused by the most recent Coronavirus pandemic, one theme has run through all media outlets — the looming shortage of face masks and other non-woven protective medical gear including gowns and boots that doctors and nurses need to safely treat patients. (See how Emerson’s…
Antimicrobial operating elements available in white color
Elesa has recently extended its Antimicrobial Products “SAN” line with components now also available in white. The aim is to solve a problem of great importance with which countries around the world are facing: the danger of antibiotics resistance. This phenomenon leads microorganisms to resist against antimicrobial drug activities. SAN Antimicrobial components are manufactured from…
Impact sensors monitor for brain injury in sports and recreation helmets
Digital manufacturing leader Protolabs announced that Tozuda is its latest Cool Idea Award winner. Attached to sports helmets, the head impact sensors made by this Philadelphia-based company of the same name change color to bright red when they experience an impact potentially strong enough to cause a concussion. Protolabs’ Cool Idea Award provides in-kind manufacturing…
Innovative EEG device helps you visualize mental activity and control IoT devices with brain waves
Backed by powerful software, the nūrio EEG device gives one an in-depth look at the activity of the mind anytime, anywhere. It uses AI algorithms that let users transform thoughts into commands to control things, such as IoT devices connected to the nūrio cloud. The proprietary architecture allows Brain-Computer Interfaces to control most devices with…
TORAY announces North America availability of TOYOLAC transparent ABS resin for medical applications in liquid-contact devices
Toray, Industries Inc., a global leader in polymer chemistry, organic synthetic chemistry, and biotechnology, announces the North America availability of TOYOLAC Transparent ABS Resin for medical applications. Toray was the first and is the world’s largest manufacturer of transparent ABS Resin. With newly expanded production capabilities and customer support including distribution throughout the United States,…
Qosina President and CEO Scott Herskovitz Joins CEWIT Medical Advisory Board at Stony Brook University
Qosina is pleased to announce that Scott Herskovitz, President and CEO, has joined the Medical Advisory Board (MAB) of the Center of Excellence in Wireless and Information Technology (CEWIT) at Stony Brook University. The CEWIT Medical Advisory Board is comprised of renowned medical leaders, business executives, scientists, academic leaders and IT professionals. Their expertise and…
Dassault Systèmes and the FDA extend collaboration to inform cardiovascular device review process and accelerate access to new treatments
Dassault Systèmes announced the five-year extension of its collaboration with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The 3DEXPERIENCE platform will be used to develop a new digital tool to enable more efficient regulatory review of cardiovascular and medical devices. Researchers hope the process will increase industry innovation and pave the way for an efficient path…
Theranos — and the satisfaction of how engineering doesn’t lie
How does it work? That was the question few people asked about the mythical supertechnology supposedly at the core of Theranos — a Silicon-Valley unicorn overvalued by some $9 billion during a 2013-2014 hype height. Not that it would’ve mattered anyway, as the fictional heart of secretive Theranos changed continuously over its 12 short years.…