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by Joe Jancsurak
Oilman-turned-wind-crusader, T. Boone Pickens, has an escape plan
for our nation's energy mess. It involves natural gas, wind turbines and
lots of them, and a commitment to invest in clean-tech innovations. If
you caught "60 Minutes" on Oct. 26, you must admit that it made for good
TV and good blogging, even conversation.
Where am I headed with this? Well, first, I may be new to the
medical-device market, having joined the Medical Design staff in
September (after 16 years of reporting on the appliance
design-engineering field), but even as I inch my way up the learning
curve, I know enough to be excited about being part of an industry that
thrives on innovating potentially life-saving devices and treatments.
Full Article
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Coating a titanium implant with a biologic material enhances tissue
healing, improves bone growth around the implant, and strengthens the
attachment. "We designed a coating that, in effect, tells cells to grow
bone around the implant," says Andrés Garcia, professor at Georgia
Tech’s Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering and the Petit
Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience.
Conventional clinical practice has been to roughen the surface of a
titanium implant or coat it with a flaky, hard-to-apply ceramic that
bonds directly to bone. Total knee and hip replacements typically last
about 15 years when the components may wear down or loosen. For younger
patients, this means expecting a second surgery to replace the first
artificial joint. About 40% of the 712,000 total hip and knee
replacements in the United States in 2004 are performed on patients 45
to 64 years old.
Full Article
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According to a recent technical market research
report from BCC Research, Wellesley, Mass., (bccresearch.com) the U.S.
market for organ and tissue transplants generated $18.9 billion in 2007.
This is expected to increase to $20.9 billion in 2008 and $28.2 billion
in 2013, for a compound annual growth rate of 8.3%.
Full Article
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Why Engineers Are Switching to Digital
Microscopes
 Digital microscope
technology is changing the way microscopic images are created,
processed, and displayed. The downloadable report: Reasons Why
Engineers Choose the VHX-600, describes technological
innovations that make the KEYENCE VHX-600 the choice of engineers and
other microscope users. It solves application problems that cannot be
resolved using conventional microscopes. The VHX-600 Digital Microscope
is an "all-in-one" design that provides an incomparable depth-of-field,
3D Image Composition, calibrated topographic displays, on-screen
measurements, and much more.
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The University of Minnesota Medical School may soon join a growing
number of supporters of bans on gifts to doctors from medical-device and
drug companies. If enacted, the University of Minnesota
conflict-of-interest policy would include the following:
•All personal gifts from industry would be banned.
•Free drug samples would be limited.
•Industry support for doctors’ continuing education would be phased
out.
•Doctors’ consulting relationships would be disclosed to patients
and the public.
•Financial ties between doctors and industry would be monitored more
closely.
Full Article
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NSD-1102 dedicated piezoelectric motor driver can drive one or two
SQL Series Squiggle micro motors from a single 2.8 to 5.5 Vdc supply.
System designers can control two micro motors independently using the
ASIC’s standard I²C (inter-integrated circuit) interface. The driver
is housed in a 4 x 4 mm, 16-pin QFN (quad flatpack, no leads) package.
It matches the scale of the motor, which is 1.8 x 1.8 x 6 mm,
facilitating integration into miniature medical devices, optical
systems, and micro-robotic instruments.
Full Article
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Optimize Product Designs Faster
 By relying on
engineering simulation, medical device manufacturers can achieve rapid
design
verification using virtual models. Computational analysis models are
used upfront to build,
test, and validate hundreds of new design concepts faster. Simulating
more design concepts
before creating physical models ensures engineers select the best
options to move into
production thereby reducing material cost and accelerating the
development process.
MSC provides the broadest range of simulation solutions and services
that help improve
medical device R&D in cardiovascular, orthopedics, ophthalmic, dental,
and physical medicine.
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Model FP50 mid-range tabletop liquid filling system is a
semiautomatic mid-range package that fills the void between high-speed
automation and manual, operator-dependent filling systems. The FP50 is
half the price of an automatic system.
Full Article
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The TenX Le low-energy solenoid valve is powered by pulse width
modulation (PWM) circuit technology that consumes less power and
generates less heat, important features for portable medical and
analytical devices. The 10-mm design provides up to 22 lpm through a
0.060-in. orifice. The valve operates at up to 30 psi with a response
time of 5 msec full cycle. Reliability is rated for 20 million cycles
without performance degradation.
Full Article
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Boker's 2008 Washer Catalog
Boker's, Inc.'s FREE 2008 Washer Catalog has over 22,000 non-standard
sizes
available with no tooling charges. A wide range of ODs, IDs and
thicknesses,
plus 2,000 material variations provide millions of possibilities.
www.bokers.com
Medical Test Connectors
FasTest has the smallest connector available for medical
device leak test applications. The new ME001 style connector quickly
connects to ultra thin hypodermic or catheter tubing.
Capable of sealing down to 0.015" OD, the ME001 connector is designed
for leak testing infusion set and drug delivery devices. The compact
0.84" OD easily mounts in limited space locations. The pneumatic
actuation is ideal for soft touch control of delicate components or
automation for ergonomics or high production testing.
www.fastestinc.com
New Dimension 3D Elite Printer builds durable, detailed
working models right at your desk to save time and money during critical
design stages.
Visit: www.dimensionprinting.com
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