A Note From The Editor

Believe It or Not: Common Sense Prevails in Borderline Medical Products Debate

Industry News

• US-Based Device Outsourcing Giant Opens European Office
• MEDTEC Ireland Devotes Daylong Session to Combination Products
• Collaboration Yields Speedy, Cost-Effective Rapid-Test Development
• PVC Compound Prevents Blood Clotting
• Global Device Conference Convenes in Tokyo
• Danish Company Ramps Up Production of PVC-Replacement Compounds
• Conductive Shielding Materials Offer Product Design and Processing Advantages
• In Brief
• e-News
• Manufacturer Etches MEMS Components from Nickel
• Workshop Examines Nuts and Bolts of ISO 13485
• Shows and Conferences

Technology News

• Motors Supplier Lends a Hand in Development of Next-Generation Prosthetic
• Piezoelectric Arrays May Allow Novel MIS Procedures
• Automatic Catheter Tipper Smooths Transition from R&D to Production
  

Product Update

Cables, Connectors, and Wires

Connectors have been developed to help medical device OEMs meet the requirements of standards such as EN 60601-1 and ensure patient safety. Fischer Connecters S.A. (Apples, Switzerland) routinely engineers compact connectors that meet international guidelines related to air clearance and creepage distances between contacts or contact groups. For example, the pictured product shows a 28-mm-diam connector with >32 mm clearance between the two high-voltage contacts and group of signal contacts...

Engineering Insight

CAM System Slashes CNC Programming Time

A fabricator of implant components reports an 80% productivity gain

Spotlight on

Tubing

Medical tubing is offered in a wide range of dimensions and tolerances and in several different materials.

Equipment News

Recent developments in moulding equipment

Moulding control technology automates and optimizes processing

Regional Focus

Southern England

Capacitors that have led to a reduction in the size of electronic implantables and simulation software that can evaluate medical packaging materials are among innovations introduced by suppliers in the region.

Special Report

2003 Medical Design Excellence Awards

Members of the MDEA judging panel reflect on current and future trends in device design

Part 1: Judgement Calls
Part 2: The Winners

Outsourcing Outlook

Outsourcing

As device manufacturers gain confidence in outsourcing activities, subcontractors are expanding services

Showstoppers

Showstoppers

A selection of innovative new products and services exhibited at Medical Design & Manufacturing (MD&M) West (Anaheim, CA, USA), Design and Manufacturing (Chicago), and MEDTEC (Stuttgart, Germany)