Originally Published EMDM
October 2004
Spotlight
Microtechnology |
Miniature screened orifice
Consistent, uniform flow is an essential requirement of medical fluid–handling systems and components. A miniature screened orifice is designed for these types of critical flow control applications. The orifice is preinstalled in a male-to-female luer adapter and features an integral safety screen that protects the device from contamination. Designed for both liquid and gas media, the units are available in 18 standard flow rates. The orifices are 100% tested with either water or nitrogen to ensure 5% flow-rate tolerances. The orifice is made from stainless steel and the luer adapter is made of medical-grade polypropylene.
Lee Products Ltd., Gerrards Cross, Bucks, UK.
High-speed translation stage
 |
A small translation stage incorporates a high-speed linear piezo motor drive. The M-663 offers a 20-mm travel range and 0.1-µm resolution with optical encoder feedback. Fast starts and stops and high-speed scanning are possible; acceleration rates attain 150 m/sec. The 35 Ą 35 Ą 15-mm package size facilitates the stage’s integration into medical, analytical, and testing applications. The linear motor drive is based on an ultracompact traveling-wave PZT unit, also manufactured by the company. The unit’s steady mode does not consume power or generate heat. An optional OEM electronics board is available. Physik Instrumente GmbH and Co., Karlsruhe, Germany.
Stent design and manufacturing
 |
A company designs, develops, and manufactures coronary and peripheral stents on a contract basis. Existing stent designs can be analyzed and enhanced. Services include prototyping, laser cutting, annealing, electropolishing, measuring, and testing. The company’s engineers and physicians specialize in clinically oriented stent solutions. Optiray Medizintechnik GmbH, München, Germany.
Precision fluid control
 |
Patented valveless piston pumping with precision stepper control is integrated into a pump’s design. The piston stroke displacement is adjusted using an easy-grip, graduated flow control ring. The low-dead-volume pump head design ensures maximum bubble clearing and provides a typical stroke-to-stroke precision of 0.5% or better. The pump will dispense up to 100 µl per stroke and up to 50
ml/min continuous metering at pressures up to 100 psig. Stepper motor controllers are available for use in both quick-start and programmable control formats.
Fluid Metering Inc., Syosset, NY, USA.
Microfluidic manifolds
 |
Diffusion bonding is used to produce complex manifold assemblies without the use of solvents or adhesives. The company produces acrylic manifolds with internal tracks down to 0.006 in. The tracks can be machined in various lengths and patterns to create precise fluid volumes with mixing chambers and reservoirs. Valves, pumps, seals, and fittings are used to enhance chips. Both single-unit prototypes and high-volume production quantities can be accommodated at the manufacturing facility. Carville Ltd., Dorking, Surrey, UK.
Microsolenoid valve and ceramic pumps
 |
A two-way microsolenoid valve is designed for the dispensing or metering of fluids in small package sizes. The Geronimo valve uses a microdiaphragm to isolate the fluid path and provide a durable seal. Specially created for high-density manifolding applications, the valve features a low internal volume and a diameter of 0.25 in. The company’s series of small ceramic pumps are self-priming and are factory-set for a fixed volume of 10 to 1000 µl per solenoid actuation. The pumps have a low internal volume; an all-ceramic plunger and seal add resilience to the products. Kloehn Europe Inc., Bonaduz, Switzerland.
|
Stent development and manufacturing
A company’s in-house stent development and manufacturing capabilities help minimize product development times. Just-in-time production is also an option for customers with limited inventory needs. Stent development based on customer-specified designs is a specialty of the company, which also offers exclusive stent designs as well as OEM stent products.
Fortimedix, Bergen Terblijt, Netherlands.
Copyright ©2004 European Medical Device Manufacturer
