By Sherrie Conroy, Director of Content Parkinson’s disease, the second-most-common degenerative disease in adults, currently has no cure. Thanks to deep-brain stimulation (DBS), however, these patients have been able to enjoy a return to normal activities—for the most part. Although not a life-threatening disease, sometimes the DBS solution can cause long-term complications, says José Fernández Villaseñor, MD, medical product manager for Freescale Semiconductor. Known as Dr. José, he is also an electrical engineer. The problem, he says, rests with complications caused by DBS hardware. “Actually the [surgical] technique is not that complicated. It’s not as invasive as one would think,” says Dr. José. However, he says that reports indicate that up to 25.3% of patients experience a high rate of complications. And, up to 20% of those complications come from the hardware.
Mack Molding (Arlington, VT) was recently recognized by the Vermont Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports for promoting healthy lifestyle initiatives throughout the company. The Gold award for workplace wellness was presented to Mack’s health services manager, Kathy Hall, RN, at the council’s annual conference. The custom plastics molder, which supplies contract manufacturing services to the medical device industry, has developed several programs inspired by its overarching wellness theme, “take personal responsibility for your health.” The motto not only has served as a launching point for these award-winning initiatives, but also reflects the company’s view on healthcare. “At the end of the day, we are all healthcare consumers,” says Jeff Somple, president of Mack’s northern operations. “So it is in everyone’s best interest to make healthy lifestyle choices that will lead to more productive lives and lower healthcare costs.”
May 11: Join GlobalSpec's FREE online event and learn about the latest trends, technologies, and innovations in Medical Equipment Design. Attend key educational sessions and learn about advances in functional imaging technology and techniques for advanced medical diagnosis, medical products with consumer appeal and two shot silicone molding for medical applications. Network with peers and suppliers and gain the knowledge needed to help your remain competitive in today's marketplace — all from the convenience of your desktop.
Created to help designers take their product idea or part from a 3D CAD model to its first-run production stage, the Cool Idea! award program from Proto Labs(Minneapolis) focuses on helping innovators who are often stymied by a lack of resources. Proto Labs, a manufacturer of CNC machined and injection-molded parts, will provide a total of $100,000 worth of prototyping and short-run production services to award recipients. Moreover, the company will promote each winner’s project in press releases, case studies, and other appropriate forms of media. Featuring its FirstCut CNC machining or Protomold injection-molding services, the process of bringing the products to realization is a key aspect of the program. “Our focus is to provide product designers with the easiest, fastest, and least-expensive way to obtain low volumes of parts based on their 3D CAD designs,” says Larry Lukis, Proto Labs founder and CTO.
The Lee Company's new atomizing nozzles, available in both airless and air-assisted styles, generate a 50° cone spray pattern and offer precise, controlled atomization in a compact package.
The airless atomizing nozzles do not need an external air supply and will atomize with pressures as low as 20 psi (on water). The air-assisted nozzles utilize an external air source to control the atomization, allowing lower fluid operating pressures (as low as 5 psi).
Product design and innovation consultancy firm Stuart Karten Design (SKD; Los Angeles) has created a program to fight the childhood obesity epidemic by motivating young people to make healthy choices. While obesity, and childhood obesity in particular, is a national problem, SKD cites local data that puts the problem in perspective: one in five students in 5th, 7th, and 9th grades in Los Angeles County is obese. Acknowledging that information regarding health and diet is prevalent, SKD has observed that children lack intrinsic motivation to adopt healthy behaviors. The company’s solution is DownWithDenim.org, a program that uses fashion and visualization as catalysts for lasting behavioral changes. Currently searching for partnerships to help get the program rolling, SKD senior designer Jonathan Abarbanel and design strategist and researcher Erin Mays presented DownWithDenim.org to the public in April as part of GOOD Magazine’s LA launch weekend. The program seeks to improve the health of young people while also tackling the issues that cause obesity in youth, such as low self-esteem and a lack of understanding or motivation.
As mainstream technology changes formats, medical device manufacturers must take advantage of and adapt to these changes not just to survive in a competitive market, but also to meet the needs of a tech-savvy doctors and patients. But modifying a medical device to incorporate or be housed within a new format is more difficult than replacing VHS tapes with DVDs…or Blu-Ray discs…or iTunes downloads. The format change currently driving the market in new directions is mobile technology, and manufacturers and end-users are already seizing the opportunity and running with it. The majority of the people working in the industry are already familiar with mobile devices and smart phone technology for personal use. To explore how companies are harnessing the potential of mobile technology for the next generation of medical devices, Frost & Sullivan (Mountain View, CA) is producing a complimentary eBroadcast on May 12 titled, “Making the Most of Mobile Technology: Strategic Insights for Building Tomorrow’s Enterprise and Devices.”
Designed for ergonomic comfort and user-friendliness, a rocker-style mechanism enables foot-operated control of medical devices. The dual-function Series WF-MED control unit from Steute Meditech Inc, Ridgefield, CT, is suitable for use with x-ray equipment, ultrasonic systems, positioning tables, bone saws, and dental devices. A choice between reed contact or microswitch digital contact closures is available. Optional design features include two-stage operation, Hall-effect analog control, and auxiliary pushbutton actuators.
The Thomas 260 Series brushless DC WOB-L air compressor and vacuum pump is designed for medical and other applications requiring a small-size and lightweight pump with variable output. The 260 Series pump is only 4.25" x 4.63" x 3.02" and weighs only 2.5 lbs. In addition, the 260 Series features variable output utilizing an efficient brushless DC motor, an enclosed crankcase for reduced sound, and the proven reliability of Thomas' WOB-L piston technology. Visit gd-thomas.com for more information.
A line of fittings and components made of medical-grade polycarbonate material has been expanded to include new hose barb options. Designed for applications that require biocompatibility and heat resistance, the FitQuik line from Colder Products Co, St. Paul, MN, includes hose barb tees, straights, elbows, Ys, and luers. Available in black and white, the robust, animal-free polycarbonate fittings feature precise hose barbs and thread forms. This feature helps enable a secure and reliable fitted connection.
CUI's High Density Medical Switching Power Supplies, at Digi-Key
CUI'sVMS series is a high density open frame switching power supply certified for both medical EN60601-1 and ITE EN60950-1 safety standards. The VMS-160 outputs 160 W with 400 LFM forced air cooling and 100 W under convection-cooled conditions. This translates to a power density of 18 W/in3 in an open frame 2"x4" industry standard footprint. The VMS-365 outputs 365 W with 400 LFM forced air cooling and 200 W under convection-cooled conditions.
Suitable for use in medical and automation applications, a system host board (SHB) provides high performance and flexible PCI Express expansion. The ROBO-8110VG2AR full-size PICMG 1.3 host board from American Portwell Technology Inc, Fremont, CA, is based on the Intel Xeon processor E3-1200 product family, which offers 32 nm Hi-K process technology within energy-efficient architecture. The latest versions of these processors can integrate an enhanced graphics engine with 3-D capabilities. They also feature the PCI Express 2.0, which provides flexible x16, x8, or x4 lanes for versatility. To provide high performance and increase processing efficiency, the processors also support optimized Intel Turbo Boost 2.0 and Intel Hyper-Threading technology.
Energy Efficiency in Motor Operation and Field Oriented Control Sponsored by: Bison, Dynetic Systems, and Kollmorgen Date: May 19, 2011 Time: 2:00pm ET/11:00am PT
The seminar starts with current energy efficiency data related to industrial and residential electric motors. Discussion will be followed by investigating the source of energy loss and how to improve efficiency in design and operation on various motor types including induction motors, brushed DC, and Brushless motors. The discussion will also include motors controlled from variable speed drives or inverters, efficiency of the drives, and ways to improve overall efficiency by control and operation.
Miniature DC Motors Crucial in Nerve Recording Precise motors used in electrodes measuring nerve cells to develop treatments for Parkinson's Disease. The data acquired can improve the use of control interfaces for artificial limbs, and to treat nervous disorders. www.micromomedical.com
Boker's 2011 Washer Catalog Boker's 2011 Washer Catalog features over 25,000 non-standard flat washer sizes, available with no tooling charges, outside diameters of 0.080" to 5.140" and over 2,000 material options for endless possibilities. www.bokers.com/mee
Design Tips Compilation, volume 7 now available Protomold's monthly Design Tips are a popular and useful resource for designers and design engineers. We’ve compiled more than 80 tips for designing injection molded parts into seven handy, downloadable volumes. You'll find useful information on everything from selecting materials to designing parts cost-effectively. Download today!
Medical Molding Precision plastic components for Medical OEM projects require more than tight tolerances and consistent quality. They often require manufacturing in a clean environment and a solid understanding of the application or related standards. Learn More
Document translation: How to maximize accuracy and lower costs International Language Services meets your standards for accuracy and expertise. Download our new white paper: “How to leverage translations to save time and cost.”
Thank you for reading the Medical Edge newsletter from Medical Design. This email was sent to `email`. You've received this e-newsletter for one of two reasons: 1) You signed up for it on one of our web sites. 2) You are a reader of Medical Design magazine. Privacy Policy concerning links within this newsletter: From time to time our sponsors wish to contact our subscribers who have indicated an interest in the products, services or events publicized in a particular newsletter. If you have clicked through on a sponsored link in this newsletter, your contact information will be shared with that sponsor. If you DO NOT wish to have your contact information shared with this newsletter's sponsors, please click here or contact our customer service department at the number/email listed below.
Manage Your Subscription To quickly unsubscribe from this newsletter, click here Unsubscribe To subscribe to this newsletter, visit our subscription page. To CHANGE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS, visit our subscription page, login with your old email address, then change your address.
Contact Information Editorial questions: Joe Jancsurak 216-931-9822 Advertising/sponsorship opportunities: Virginia Goulding 216-931-9893
For questions concerning delivery of this newsletter, please contact our Customer Service Department at: Machine Design A Penton Media publication US Toll Free: 866-505-7173 International: 847-763-9504 Email:Customer Service
Medical Design 1300 E. 9th St. Cleveland, OH 44114
Copyright 2011, Penton Media. All rights reserved. This content is protected by United States copyright and other intellectual property laws and may not be reproduced, rewritten, distributed, re-disseminated, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast, directly or indirectly, in any medium without the prior written permission of Penton Media. Read the Penton Media Privacy Policy
May 11: Join GlobalSpec's FREE online event and learn about the latest trends, technologies, and innovations in Medical Equipment Design. Attend key educational sessions and learn about advances in functional imaging technology and techniques for advanced medical diagnosis, medical products with consumer appeal and two shot silicone molding for medical applications. Network with peers and suppliers and gain the knowledge needed to help your remain competitive in today's marketplace — all from the convenience of your desktop. 
The Lee Company's new atomizing nozzles, available in both airless and air-assisted styles, generate a 50° cone spray pattern and offer precise, controlled atomization in a compact package.
