The high-density Fischer MiniMax Series combines signal and power in accordance with USB 3.0, HDMI and Ethernet protocols for high-speed data transfer.

As healthcare becomes more democratic and diversified, patients and healthcare professionals are demanding miniature, portable and wearable medical devices for use in varied settings. Versatility is key.

Fischer Connectors’ innovative interconnect solutions offer medical device designers more flexibility, enabling them to pack more functionality into mobile and patient-worn devices, without compromising regulatory compliance, safety and usability.

The ultra-miniature Fischer

MiniMax Series is an example of a high-density, low-weight solution to wearable and mobile equipment challenges. It comes in several configurations, with two sizes that provide between 4 and 24 connections, including power and signal in a choice of push-pull, quick-release and screw-locking systems. Rugged and with IP68 sealing for durability, MiniMax also features special contact blocks that meet the need for high-speed data transfer up to USB 3.0 or 10GB Ethernet.

An eagerly awaited product line extension to the Fischer MiniMax Series now provides rugged Ethernet. Following the success of the recent dedicated USB 3.0 contact block in the 08 size connector, the new configuration of eight American wire gauge (AWG) 24 contacts in the 08 size enables even faster data transmission via USB 3.0/Ethernet/HDMI protocols. Thanks to its redesign and production process improvements that enhance ruggedisation for extreme environments, the new standard IP68 sealing level enables all MiniMax connectors and cable assembly solutions to go even deeper, for example, 20m for 24 hours.

A second product extension improves data storage. The popular Fischer Rugged Flash Drive is an extremely tough memory stick that’s specially designed for the safe storage and transportating of sensitive data in harsh environments. It has been further adapted to the new MiniMax USB 3.0 connector interface, with nine poles being in optimised positions.

Cost-effective glass components

IMT produces customised high-precision, low-cost glass components.

Glass remains the material of choice for many biophotonic and microfluidic applications. It is inert to most chemicals, has unsurpassed well-defined optical properties, and has good temperature and pressure stability. However, glass components also have a reputation for being prohibitively expensive to manufacture, which means that using them as a consumable or semi-consumable in high-quantity applications is not cost-effective. In several cases, it appears to be the cost of the consumable glass components that prevents a new analytic method or technology from entering the mainstream.

Realising the market potential of high-precision but low-cost glass components, IMT of Switzerland is applying the foundry concept to the production of glass components for life sciences, such as microchannels, through-holes, electrodes and waveguides.

By bundling the development and production of glass components for many companies at one site and applying manufacturing technologies from the semiconductor industry, and thereby reaching attractive economies of scale, IMT can offer customised glass components at competitive prices.

IMT has more than 50 years’ experience as a supplier of custom-made glass components for a wide range of optical and sensor applications including delineated optics, reticles, gratings, mirrors and filters. The company’s core expertise is the coating and structuring of thin films using microlithography.

Its production environment, which includes 1,300m² of cleanrooms and a fully automated process line for 200mm glass wafers, is well suited to the mass production of lab-on-a-chip glass components, flow cells containing microchannels, and metallic and dielectric microstructures, in combination with waveguides and gratings.

French leader in sterilisation services

IONISOS is a leading service provider for treatment using ionising radiations and ethylene oxide (EO). It has nine plants in IONISOS has the facilities for ionising radiations and EO.

There are three gamma plants in France, based in Sablé, Dagneux and Pouzauges. The company also owns a fourth gamma plant in Tallinn, Estonia. IONISOS has three ebeam plants in Europe, one in Chaumesnil, France; one in Taracon, Spain; and a third crosslinking plant in Bautzen, Germany. It has two EO plants in France in Gien and Civrieux.

In addition, IONISOS is a service provider for sterilisation, decontamination of medical devices, implants, packaging for drugs, raw materials, drugs, active pharmaceutical ingredients (API), cosmetics and crosslinking polymer applications.

Don’t miss a drop

Introtek’s drip detect sensor is accurate, dependable and eliminates visual monitoring.

Introtek’s drip detect sensor can be customised and designed to fit any drip chamber. This sleek, non-invasive sensor outputs a pulse, accurately and dependably for each drop of liquid. This eliminates the need for time-consuming, visual drip-count monitoring at the patient site for flow rate. Introtek’s optical technology provides highly reliable, non-invasive drip detection sensing for use with a variety of clear drip chambers, where it is desirable to monitor patient intravenous (IV) infusion flow rate remotely.

Introtek produces a diverse range of drip chamber sensors that have continually and successfully met the requirements of medical device manufacturers worldwide. It has several innovative features, including:

  • The sleek, non-invasive design package provides a compact and cost-effective solution
  • It can be customised for use with almost any clear drip chamber
  • Finger grips provide an easy, self-clamping attachment and removal from the drip chamber
  • Integrated electronics
  • It accurately outputs an optical pulse for each drop during IV infusion
  • It has high noise immunity to electromagnetic interference (EMI) / radio-frequency interference (RFI)
  • Lower power consumption

The drip detect sensor is designed to be used as a technique for monitoring media flow rate during patient IV infusion. The sensor can be used to enhance and improve processes in applications such as an IV infusion administration system, liquid dispensing, pharmaceutical manufacturing and clinical laboratory.

Motion control and counterbalancing through precision spring products

John Evans’ Sons was founded in 1850. The company manufactures precision springs, wire forms, mechanical assemblies and stampings. It is a leading manufacturer for the medical-equipment industry and has provided spring assemblies

John Evans’ Sons serves many of the world’s largest medical companies and largest medical corporations.

John Evans’ Sons quality-assurance procedures have been surveyed and approved by more than 300 of the world’s largest corporations. By employing ISO 13485:2003 and ISO 9001:2008 in conjunction with cutting-edge inspection and calibration systems, it can ensure that customers’ most exacting requirements are met.

The engineering group consists of skilled professionals with broad experience in the design/ development of all types of springs. The group is backed by an unusually high level of expertise, due to having more than 160 years in business, and the latest in spring-manufacturing equipment.

The company provides three different types of spring:

  • Constant-force springs provide a smooth range of motion and a constant load in the extending or retracting direction. This spring design has no inertia to overcome when considering the initial-position starting forces. Constant-force springs are compact and mount easily to existing hardware.
  • Spiral torsion springs allow rotation in two directions and a ‘return to centre’ capability. Spiral torsion springs are normally used in applications requiring less than 360° rotation. They are generally used to obtain a large amount of torque with a small amount of rotation.
  • Helical spring/wire forms and custom spring assemblies can be designed to meet challenging space and mounting configurations. Evans’ is experienced with many stainless and alloy materials used in critical medical applications.

John Evans’ Sons is eager to discuss the design requirements and spring challenges in clients’ various design and prototype phases. Many choices of springs / reels are stock items that can be shipped quickly to aid in product evaluations.

Medical-standard welding

The Leister Basic S is essential for effectively welding plastic components.

The new Basic S from Leister is the perfect integrable plastic laser-welding system for the medical industry. Incorporating a unique, state-of-the-art cooling system that was developed in-house, the Basic S is set to redefine the market. The permanent cooling of the laser ensures the precise and repeatable welding of plastic components.

To ensure products can be welded in accordance with stringent medical industry requirements, the Basic S is coupled with powerful software that can record and output all welding-process data and parameters in a single file. Newly developed management profiles divide users into operator, expert and service categories. This critical feature secures parameters from alteration and accidental loss. All parameter changes are recorded and saved in a log. This feature makes it possible to track who accessed information, and where and when data for process modifications were initiated.

A newly developed web-based human-machine interface (HMI) makes integrating the Basic S quick and intuitive. Digital, as well as analogue signals, are clearly displayed graphically and in real time. This new functionality makes it possible to detect which signals are on and off in the Basic S system at all times. Process parameters can be set using the web HMI or directly with the LCD display on the front of the system.

The Basic S can be operated with the innovative, modular Leister laser optics. In contrast to the BT line, premium AT optics offer fibre connection monitoring, laser power measurement and pyrometer functionality.

In April, the new Leister Basic S was presented for the first time at MedTec Europe 2018 in Germany.

Pinch valves that prove their worth

LISK pinch valves provide liquid flow control for medical devices. LISK has more than 50 years’ experience as a global provider of customised solenoids, solenoid valves and linear variable differential transformer (LVDT) sensors for medical applications.