Medical Design and Outsourcing Archives - Page 5 of 154

Implant prototype collects deep neural activity from the brain’s surface

When placed on the surface of the brain, this thin, flexible implant enables researchers to capture high-resolution information about neural activity deep inside the brain without damaging its delicate tissue. [Image courtesy of David Baillot/UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering]

Researchers at UCSD say they developed a neural implant that can gather information about activity deep inside the brain while sitting on its surface.

The UCSD team used a thin, transparent and flexible polymer strip packed with a dense array of graphene electrodes. They tested the technology in transgenic mice and say it brings them a step closer to building a minimally invasive brain-computer interface (BCI) that provides high-resolution deep neural activity data by using recordings from the brain surface.

“We are expanding the spatial reach of neural recordings with this technology,” said study senior author Duygu Kuzum,…

Master Bond’s two-part structural epoxy for medical devices meets ISO standards

[Image courtesy of Master Bond]

Master Bond Supreme 11AOHTMed is a two component epoxy featuring thermal conductivity and electrical insulation. This system fully passes ISO 10993-5 testing for non-cytotoxicity and is recommended for bonding and sealing in medical device applications.

Supreme 11AOHTMed has reliable electrical insulation properties with a volume resistivity exceeding 1014 ohm-cm at 75°F. It also exhibits thermal conductivity of around 4 to 5 BTU·in/ft²·hr·°F (0.58-0.72 W/m/K). The system provides high bond strength properties with a lap shear strength of 3,200-3,400 psi, a tensile strength of 7,000-8,000 psi and a compressive strength of 20,000-22,000 psi. This toughened formulation is designed to withstand thermal cycling and offers a wide service temperature range from -112°F to +400°F (-80°C to 204°C).

Supreme 11AOHTMed cures at room temperature in 24-36 hours, and faster with heat, in…

New brain imaging technique delivers superscans with less data

A new algorithm, called DeepSTI, achieves a highly detailed 3D-reconstruction that shows magnetic susceptibility of tissues in the human brain. [Image courtesy of Johns Hopkins]

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University developed a new algorithm that can scan the brain for precise brain tissue susceptibility information.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offers images of the body that allow doctors to diagnose injury or illness. MRI’s susceptibility tensor imaging (STI) technique measures the magnetic susceptibility of different brain tissues. This information can help to better understand, diagnose and monitor neurological diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS) and Alzheimer’s.

The team at Johns Hopkins have a new algorithm for this technique, called DeepSTI. It takes data from multiple individual scans and provides a “super-scan” with brain tissue susceptibility information. The met…

Balancing connectivity priorities in mobile medical equipment

Connectivity is at the core of the devices transforming healthcare, yet interconnects are often an afterthought. Selecting the right connectors in the initial design process supports better overall performance and functionality.

Source: Adobe Stock

Medtech designers face some of the toughest design challenges in the electronics industry. Portable medical devices must be compact and lightweight enough to be moved easily, while tolerating the vibration, shock, and impact of frequent transport. Because these products operate within a larger network of connected devices and systems, electromagnetic interference (EMI) and interoperability should also be considered early on in the design process.

In addition to the usual design considerations like size, torque, pin count, and locking mechanism, connectors used in medical devices must withstand moisture, dust, chemicals, and high temperatures. They must be …

Trelleborg plans its first production facility in Costa Rica

NEWS RELEASE: Trelleborg invests in new healthcare & medical facility in Costa Rica

Trelleborg has decided to invest in a new production facility in Costa Rica for medical technology solutions. The new facility will be established close to a number of international customers with operations in the region. On completion, the facility will offer a full product suite of engineered polymer solutions within healthcare & medical.

Covering an area of 10,000 square meters, the production facility will be Trelleborg’s first in Central America and is expected to be completed in 2025. The Group will invest approximately SEK 225 M in total between 2024 and 2025.

“Costa Rica has evolved into a medical technology hub in Central America and the facility therefore represents an important step in both increasing our capacity and broadening our geographical footprint in healthcare & medical. The facility is being built for customers with global sales, and the capacit…

Trelleborg has a deal to buy advanced precision silicone component manufacturer Baron Group

NEWS RELEASE: Trelleborg strengthens its position in healthcare & medical

Acquires globally leading company in liquid silicone rubber

Trelleborg Group is strengthening its position in healthcare & medical by taking yet another major step forward. Trelleborg has, through its business area Trelleborg Sealing Solutions signed an agreement to acquire Baron Group, a prominent Australian-Chinese company in the manufacturing of advanced precision silicone components. This acquisition strengthens Trelleborg’s application expertise, manufacturing capacity and positions the Group as a global partner for medical technology products, in areas such as sleep apnea, respiratory care and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Baron Group generated sales of approximately SEK 1,000 M in 2023 with a margin well in line with that of the Trelleborg Sealing Solutions business area. The privately held company has its head office and two manufacturing…

Covestro highlights three applications for Makrolon polycarbonate

NEWS RELEASE: Covestro polycarbonate utilized for a breakthrough wound healing device, an innovative airway monitoring device, and for durable mobile device protection in healthcare settings Potential to transform wound healing: Covestro medical-grade Makrolon® polycarbonate utilized for breakthrough wound healing device Vaporox’s Vaporous Hyperoxia Therapy (VHT®) technology is clinically validated for healing skin wounds A combination of Covestro resin and technical support helps bring next-generation wound care medical device to market

Vaporox’s VHT-200 (Vaporous Hyperoxia Therapy™) system features a unique combination of elements—ultrasonic vapor and concentrated oxygen—shown to accelerate the healing of chronic wounds. The vaporizer assembly of the medical device primarily utilizes Makrolon® 2458 polycarbonate from Covestro. [Photo courtesy of Covestro]

Chronic wounds afflict millions of people. If not treated a…

Johns Hopkins researchers build dataset for colonoscopy AI

Sample frame from the C3VD dataset: Real colonoscope frames are paired with registered ground truth (GT) depth, surface normals, and optical flow frames. Each video is paired with a ground truth camera trajectory, 3D surface model, and coverage map. [Image courtesy of Durr Lab]

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University created a dataset of simulated videos that could help improve the accuracy of colonoscopy screenings.

To train and assess the algorithms, the researchers need a properly labeled dataset with verified information — called “ground truth.” However, according to Johns Hopkins, such datasets prove difficult to acquire for colonoscopy images.

The team calls its potentially promising dataset “C3VD” and says it’s more representative of colonoscopy imaging. They say it could help researchers evaluate how their computer vision models will perform in real-world scenarios. …

3 questions with Kelly Wessner, GM of resin distributor Formerra

Formerra GM Kelly Wessner [Photo courtesy of Formerra]

Resin distributor Formerra (formerly Avient Distribution) rebranded in 2022 after private equity firm H.I.G. Capital bought the business from Avient Corp.

Romeoville, Illinois-based Formerra now distributes plastic and polymer products from more than 40 suppliers, helping medical device developers and manufacturers — including contract manufacturers — select the best materials for applications such as drug delivery, diabetes devices and remote patient monitoring.

This week, Formerra announced a new Nordic hub in Malmö, Sweden, to better serve customers in Europe. Medical Design & Outsourcing spoke with Formerra GM Kelly Wessner about the polymer distributor’s offerings and growth.

What’s Formerra’s pitch to medtech manufacturers?

Wessner: “A lot of people would probably say, ‘Well, why in the world do we care …

Catheter design was key for the Boston Scientific Farapulse pulsed field ablation system

Boston Scientific Chief Medical Officer Dr. Ken Stein explains how catheter design drives the Farapulse pulsed field ablation system.

This image depicts the Boston Scientific Farapulse PFA system’s Farawave ablation catheter in its flower shape. [Image courtesy of Boston Scientific]

Following FDA approval on Jan. 31, Farapulse from Boston Scientific is now the second pulsed field ablation (PFA) system approved to treat atrial fibrillation (AFib) in the U.S.

Medtronic’s PulseSelect PFA System picked up the first FDA approval in December for the treatment of paroxysmal and persistent AFib.

Boston Scientific’s Farapulse, on the other hand, is indicated for the isolation of pulmonary veins to treat drug-refractory, recurrent, symptomatic, paroxysmal AFib.

Farapulse delivers pulsed field energy using the Farawave ablation catheter, Farastar ablation generator and Faradrive steerable s…

Formerra expands with new Nordic hub in Sweden

NEWS RELEASE: Formerra Launches New Nordic Hub to Power Global Healthcare Innovation

New facility in Malmö, Sweden strengthens support for healthcare customers in Scandinavia and Europe with specialized material solutions.

ROMEOVILLE, Ill. – February 5, 2024 – Formerra, a leader in performance materials distribution, announces the opening of a new warehouse in Malmö, Sweden, marking a significant step in its global expansion strategy. The modern facility will support existing customers with an emphasis on serving the growing production demands of medical device and equipment production in Europe.

The new Nordic hub underscores Formerra’s commitment to providing tailored solutions to customers where needed in support of meeting the stringent requirements of the healthcare industry. By pairing an expansive portfolio of products from leading suppliers with its expertise in REACH certification and US-manufactured medical-grade materials, Formerra is uniquely positi…

Applied Motion Products launches M5 servo series

NEWS RELEASE: M5 Servo Series: Power, Precision, and Cost-Efficiency Converge for High-Performance Servo Motors and Drives

The Applied Motion Products M5 servo series [Photo courtesy of Applied Motion Products]

Morgan Hill, CA – Applied Motion Products introduces the M5 Servo Series – where power, precision, and cost-efficiency converge. The M5 Servo Series is engineered for high machine performance, exceptional torque output, and precise control. This series is optimized for cost-efficiency, ensuring peak capabilities without compromising performance.

M5 servo drives implement accurate motor control algorithms. When paired with our M5 motors’ high-resolution encoders, they result in smooth and precise motion control. It supports fast motion profiles, automatic error compensation, and troubleshooting aids to achieve high system throughput and minimize downtime.

“The M5 series servo motors and drives with…