Alliqua BioMedical is known for developing wound care options, including MIST Therapy, a painless ultrasound treatment that accelerates the natural wound healing process. But with a plan for expansion into new applications and markets, Alliqua knew it needed an updated platform. To do this, Alliqua chose to partner with product development company, Logic PD to help design, engineer and manufacture their next generation device and platform.
The Logic PD design team began by working with Alliqua on a study of similar products to better understand the expectations of the device. Field studies were conducted at healthcare facilities to learn about healthcare professionals and patient experiences with the existing product. From these exercises, Alliqua and the design team found a need for the redesign of a new pistol-grip-style treatment wand. The design team also noticed the need for the console display to be relocated to the treatment wand. This move would let the user focus on the patient without having to look over their shoulder at the console. The saline control function also made its way to the treatment wand—this feature gave clinicians better control during treatment.
The next phase was designing the Ultrasonic Driver Board, which interfaces with Alliqua’s Ultrasonic Transducer Assembly. The system’s electronics (software and hardware) were developed using technology for improved control and greater flexibility while allowing more efficient driving of the Transducer Assembly. In addition, a tightly coupled feedback loop helped keep the device within the specific target resonance. By creating a more efficient system, the design team reduced the cable size, making the treatment wand more ergonomic and easier to use. Engineers also developed the Ultrasonic Driver Board to be modular to support a range of power levels and frequencies so the treatment can be integrated into new applications and markets.
Like most medical device companies, monitoring reuse of equipment and disposables is becoming a big challenge. To deter the reuse of the applicator, engineers selected a short range radio frequency identification tag (RFID) to be used with each disposable applicator. The treatment wand reads the RFID tag prior to use and writes to the tag during treatment. Therefore, if a used applicator is placed on the treatment wand a second time, the system will disable itself until a new applicator is inserted.
The finished product was the UltraMIST, a Class II, next-generation MIST Therapy platform device that is easier to use, more efficient, and provides opportunities for growth and expansion.
The redesigned Alliqua UltraMIST—In this new version, the user interface and saline control function have been consolidated on the treatment wand. This wound care device also uses RFID tagged applicators to eliminate the possibility of reuse.
The UltraMIST System offers clinicians a pistol-grip treatment wand and smaller cable to make the user experience and delivery of the treatment easier and more precise. Additionally, the display was moved to the treatment wand. This relocation eliminated the need to look back at the console so full attention could be on the patient and the treatment area. The development of the new Ultrasonic Driver Board provides the capability and flexibility to allow for use in other therapies and can be used in a wider range of applications than before. After months of development and testing, Alliqua received FDA clearance for the UltraMIST Therapy system and launched the product into the wound care market in March of 2015.
Alliqua BioMedical
www.alliqua.com
Logic PD
www.logicpd.com
Filed Under: Medical-device manufacture, MORE INDUSTRIES, MOTION CONTROL