The votes are in!

Without even knowing it, the regular readers of EMDM have spent the past year selecting the 40 most useful and innovative products and services from hundreds of candidates. Each time they fill out a product information card, they are, in essence, casting a ballot for the companies that will appear in this annual section. Hence, we are proud to profile our readers' picks for the fourth annual Top 40 chosen from issues of EMDM published between May 1997 and April 1998. Congratulations to our readers' choice winners.

Instant curing adhesives

Instant curing medical-grade adhesives are formulated for rapid thin-film polymerization. They are suited for joining plastics such as polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, latex, ABS, styrene, acrylic, and thermosets. Optimized adhesion can be obtained in difficult-to-bond materials such as polypropylene, polyethylene, and other low-energy rubbers and plastics by using the company's polyolefin primer. A contract manufacturer that designed and produced an in-line silicone pump set specified the instant curing adhesive to bond polypropylene to polypropylene and polypropylene to silicone. Loctite European Group, Garching-Hochbruck, Germany.

Materials supplier

More than 60 metals and nearly 200 alloys are available in small quantities for use in research and development. The range includes high-purity and commercial metals and common alloys as well as controlled-expansion alloys, thermocouple alloys, and magnetic shielding alloys. The materials are available in a variety of forms including foil, powder, wire, rod, and tubing, and in numerous sizes, diameters, and thicknesses. Standard delivery is within 72 hours; next-day service is available. The company also offers ceramics and polymers. Goodfellow Cambridge Ltd., Cambridge, UK.

Multifunctional surface treatments

Reagents that are photochemically attached to a surface by means of stable covalent bonds can be combined to modify more than one surface characteristic at the same time. One PhotoLink coating can reduce the surface friction on a medical-grade polymer, for example, while a second reagent reduces the risk of thrombus formation. This technology can be used to enhance surfaces with characteristics such as lubricity, wettability, haemocompatibility, and antimicrobial properties. Tissue engineering, drug delivery, and biomolecular immobilization are among other applications. SurModics Inc., Eden Prairie, MN, USA.

Linear actuator

A linear actuator that attains push and pull forces of up to 250 N at a resolution of 0.002 mm per step is suited for medical equipment applications. The range of the horizontal and vertical strokes is limited only by the length of the spindle; linear travel, linear speed, and thrust load can be adjusted to suit specific applications. The actuator is available with 40-, 56-, or 86-mm-diam stepper motors and standard M4, M5, M6, or M8 metric leadscrews. The firm also supplies a bipolar constant-current driver for stepping motors. The IC IMT 901 driver enables manufacturers to easily build a microstep controller with a phase current up to 2.5 A. Nanotec Electronic GmbH, Finsing, Germany.

Temperature monitors

A line of temperature-monitoring tags alert customers when a product has been exposed to abusive temperatures during shipping or storage. The tags also indicate how long the product has been exposed. Temperature response ranges are available from ­18° to 37°C. The product is activated by the removal of a barrier strip and applied by peeling off the release liner and adhering the pressure-sensitive adhesive backing to a dry surface. Accuracy is guaranteed to within ±1°C. Blanken Controls, Loenen, Netherlands.

Silicone elastomers

A supplier of silicone elastomers offers more than 40 products for use in the manufacture of medical devices. Elastosil LR liquid silicone rubbers offer good mechanical properties, short cycles through fast cure, and low compression set. Elastosil R solid silicone rubber provides optimal mechanical performance and can be processed easily. The elastomers are suited for use in short-term implant applications (no longer than 30 days). Transparent materials are available. Wacker-Chemie GmbH, München, Germany.

Metal tubing

Stainless-steel tubing with wall thicknesses of 0.05 to 9 mm is supplied in diameters ranging from 0.25 to 60 mm. Nickel-alloy and titanium tubing is also available. The company is certified to ISO 9002. Siewal GmbH, Baden-Dättwil, Switzerland.

Miniature solenoid valves

Miniature solenoid valves are designed for minimal-space applications that require advanced pressure and flow performance while maintaining low power consumption. The normally closed and normally open Microsol valves measure 15 x 15 x 40 mm and feature 2/2-, 3/2-, and 5/2-way functions. They are designed for universal or direct acting operation. Suited for pressure ranges of 0–10 bar, the valves have a working temperature range of ­10° to 50°C and consume only 1 to 2.2 W of power. The direct acting solenoids can be used with either liquids or gasses that are compatible with the PPS body and NBR seal materials. KV Automation Systems Ltd., Milton Keynes, UK.

Ultrasound Doppler board

An add-on board for IBM-compatible PCs combines bidirectional ultrasound Doppler functionality with high-precision spectral analysis, including waveform analysis. The board provides a graphical user interface and an integrated patient database, and it enables data to be transferred directly into PC software for report generation. The company will also provide help with installation and maintenance. HeartTec Medizintechnik GmbH, Dorsten, Germany.

X-ray camera

A camera designed to meet all x-ray system requirements operates in conjunction with x-ray image intensifiers. Images can be captured at 30 frames per second at 1024 * 1024 pixels in progressive mode and at up to 60 frames per second at 1024 x 512 pixels. The camera includes antiblooming control, is virtually free of smear, and has a signal-to-noise ratio of more than 60 dB. It also features digital image correction and real-time recursive filtering, edge enhancement, and an analogue high-resolution video output. A variety of customer-designed interface boards enable the camera to be used with existing systems. Thomson Tubes Electroniques, Meudon-la-Forêt, France.

Diamondlike carbon coating

Amorphous diamondlike carbon is suited for coating a variety of substrates because it can be deposited at temperatures below 200°C. Such materials as hardened steel and lightweight alloys can be treated without incurring changes in their mechanical properties. The chemically inert coating enhances lubricity and reduces wear in those materials, as well as aluminium and titanium. Berna AG Olten, Olten, Switzerland.

Frame motors

A company has expanded its line of high-performance brushless servomotors with frame motors. The standard IB23800 NEMA 23 series frame motors (centre of picture) offer compact performance with high motor-shaft power per volume and frame-size capabilities. Units feature brushless construction with stall torques up to 55 oz-in. and peak torques up to 165 oz-in., with speeds up to 5000 rpm. Stator design and neodymium rotor structure provide quiet operation. Reduced cogging means there are no brushes to wear out, and the ball bearings are lubricated for life. Frame motors are adaptable to different control types including six-step or sine drives. MCG Inc., Eden Prairie, MN, USA.

Springs and wires

Springs and wires are designed and produced for medical manufacturers. Products can be custom produced in large volumes and include compression, tension, and torsion springs; stamped and bent leaf springs; wire formings; laser-welded parts; and units assembled from individual parts. Wires with diameters up to 1.5 mm and bands for stamped and bent leaf springs with thicknesses from 0.05 mm and widths up to 40 mm are offered. Twenty-five solid-state lasers with a capacity of up to 100 W are also available. The company uses laser welding technology and produces all necessary tooling and devices in its own tool room. Carl Haas GmbH, Schramberg, Germany.

Connectors brochure

A supplier of connectors and interconnection systems for OEMs offers a full-colour brochure describing its medical connectors and engineering services. Among the more than 20 product classes and services that the brochure describes are medical information bus connectors, medical cable assemblies, shielded connectors, and memory cards for embedded applications. The brochure also provides toll-free numbers for accessing more-detailed information. AMP GmbH, Langen, Germany.

Ultrasonic transducers

Constructed from piezocomposite ceramic-polymer layers, ultrasonic transducers maintain a strong balance between bandwidth and sensitivity. The transducers operate over frequencies that range from 200 kHz to 17 MHz. Units can be supplied as single elements or as linear, curved, annular, or matrix arrays. Typical applications include imaging, Doppler systems, detection devices, and measurement of displacement or velocity. Imasonic, Besançon, France.

Small injection moulding machines

Small injection moulding machines are suited for cleanroom moulding of medical components. Various models are manufactured to accommodate automatic injection, insert, two-colour, and liquid-silicone-rubber moulding. Model 12/90H is a fully automatic horizontal injection moulding machine that features a 9-t clamp force and a nominal 12-g shot capacity. The machine takes up little space and is designed for highly accurate components that require close process control and process monitoring. Medical applications include luer connectors, syringe components, needle holders and protectors, catheter bodies, caps and closures, vials, and biomedical products. Butler Designs Ltd., Aldridge, W Midlands, UK.

Small-diameter tubing

Specializing in the extrusion of small-diameter tubing with complex outlines, a firm can provide a turnkey service from the design phase to the finished product. During the development phase, prototypes and preproduction runs are used to highlight product features and test performance. In-house facilities produce tools for injection moulding, thermoforming, extrusion, dyeing, and finishing processes. Medi-Line S.A., Liège, Belgium.

Instant adhesives

Instant adhesives that bond plastics, rubber, metal, and other materials attain a tensile strength up to 5000 psi. CA-60 is a medium-viscosity, slow setting black adhesive that is suited to porous substances with varying coefficients of thermal expansion. The faster setting, highly elastic CA-61 can withstand temperatures up to 121°C and is suited for bonding certain electronic components. For applications where aesthetic considerations are a concern, the company has developed CA-62, a nonfrosting methoxyethyl adhesive. All three adhesives are free of catalysts and cure at room temperature. 3M, Diegem, Belgium.

Stainless-steel components

Semifinished stainless-steel products are manufactured for medical OEMs in facilities certified to ISO 9001. The company offers precision tubing and cannulae with a variety of tips, such as long bevel, medium bevel, short bevel, back bevel, pencil point, and anticoring. The components are available for surgical use in conformity with European and international standards. Artsana S.p.A., Casnate con Bernate (CO), Italy.

Moulded components

A company that specializes in moulding medical equipment also designs and manufactures tooling and performs assembly work. Surgical instruments, tubing sets, and devices for minimally invasive surgery are routinely produced at the site. The latest CAD software is used in the design phase, and products undergo a thorough visual inspection prior to delivery. The ISO 9001–certified facility includes a Class 10,000 cleanroom. Pad printing and ultrasonic sealing services are also available. Gebrüder Renggli AG, Schaffhausen, Switzerland.

Miniature dc motors

Dc motors with 2–228-W output power incorporate temperature- and corrosion-resistant neodymium magnets to obtain maximum energy in a small footprint and graphite commutation to achieve high current density. The ironless rotor withstands operating temperatures as high as 155°C. Full metal housings ensure safe heat dissipation. The motors come with preloaded shielded ball bearings and are available with magnetic and optical shaft encoders for speed and position control. The motors range in size from 13 x 36 to 38 x 63 mm. The company is certified to ISO 9001. Minimotor S.A., Croglio, Switzerland.

Microengineering services

A microengineering firm certified to ISO 9001 provides design, prototyping, assessment, and manufacturing services. Engineers and technicians who specialize in high-precision mechanics, electronics, materials, optics, and related fields can assist in the development of a wide range of products including instrumentation and diagnostic equipment. A recent development involved the production of eddy current probes for advanced NDT capabilities. The coils that are used in the probes can be produced in highly repeatable geometric and electrical configurations as well as in a variety of shapes. Statice, Besançon, France.

Plastic hose fittings

A company offers plastic hose fittings. The products fit tubing sizes from 1/6 to 1 in. ID. Thread sizes range from #10-32 UNF to 1 in. NPT, and four thread types are offered. The fittings are in stock and can be shipped immediately. A free catalogue is available. Eldon James Corp., Loveland, CO, USA.

Needles and tubes

Surgical needles are manufactured using high-grade carbon steel or stainless chrome-steel. Available with a spring or regular eye in various cross sections and forms, products include surgical needles for skin and muscle areas, intestinal and vascular needles, and ophthalmological and dental surgical needles. Injection needles made of high-grade VA chrome-nickel steel, titanium, and titanium and platinum alloys are designed for medical, technical, and dental applications. Most types of cannulae and mounts in various materials can be manufactured. Special products, including high-grade steel tubes between 0.35 and 4.00 mm OD with varying wall thicknesses and optional deburred tube sections, can also be supplied. Acufirm, Dreieich, Germany.

Metric drive components handbook

Metric drive components for prototypes and production applications are featured in an 896-page catalogue. The Handbook of Metric Drive Components, Catalog 777, includes more than 18,500 off-the-shelf standardized metric, commercial, and precision-quality components. Divided into 15 product sections, each with its own photographic and descriptive index, the catalogue lists gears, belt and chain drives, shafts, bearings, universal joints, motors and gearmotors, proximity switches, and other products. More than 3710 metric gears are profiled, with 9290 metric belt drives in five different materials. All featured products adhere to the following parameters: module-5 or finer gears, 20-mm or smaller shafts, and 15-W or less devices. A 233-page technical reference section highlights design theory, calculations, and tables for designing spur, internal, helical, screw, bevel, and worm gears. Stock Drive Products/Sterling Instrument, New Hyde Park, NY, USA.

Soldering material

A solder composed of flux-coated alloy particles produces precise, reliable joints in such hard-to-access areas as blind holes, small cylinders, and narrow channels. When used with air-powered dispensing equipment, accurate, repeatable 0.25-mg deposits
can be achieved. SolderPlus is supplied in ready-to-use 35- and 75-g syringes to prevent operators from coming into contact with the material. Suggested applications include joining electrodes in medical equipment. The nonseparating binder is available in a variety of solder/flux formulations and works with all heating methods. The product is shipped fresh within 4 days of ordering. EFD, Beds, UK.

Materials database

A CD-ROM contains data on the effect of various sterilization methods on the properties and characteristics of more than 60 families of plastics, elastomers, alloys, and other materials. The database is part of the company's Plastics and Rubbers Data Collection, which includes nine sections. These sections can be purchased individually or as part of the complete collection. Materials are identified by trade name, grade, suppliers, generic descriptions, and fillers and/or additives used, as well as other details relating to test specimens. Data on the result of exposure, including changes in strength, elongation, modulus, and so forth, are also included. Property changes are given at various postexposure times. The information can be viewed in graphic, tabular, and text formats; a glossary of terms and source documentation are included. Plastics Design Library, Norwich, NY, USA.

Medical-grade adhesive tapes

Breathable self-wound medical-grade adhesive tapes are designed for extended wear. Bioflex 647 tapes feature an easy-release adhesive suited for use on extremely sensitive skin, while Bioflex 648 offers a slightly more aggressive adhesive for more demanding applications. Both products consist of a surgical-tape base paper that is coated on one side with a medical-grade acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive. Other available products include unsupported transfer films, double-faced tapes, double-coated foam tapes, thermoformable adhesive films, self-fusing splicing tapes, and repulpable tapes. Scapa Tapes, Coating Sciences Inc., Manchester, UK.

Oxygen sensors

Sensors that measure oxygen in the 0–100% range feature a response time of only 8 seconds. They have been developed for molex, jack socket, and UK and US data socket connectors. The MOX series sensors meet ISO 7767 cross-sensitivity requirements and are temperature compensated. The firm follows demand-flow principles to minimize lead times for its OEM customers, and the sensors undergo rigorous testing and quality control at the purpose-built facility. City Technology Ltd., Portsmouth, Hants, UK.

OEM x-y positioning systems

Designed for light loads (maximum 3.5 kg) and relatively short strokes (50–400 mm), a company's x-y positioning systems can achieve maximum speeds of 800 mm/sec with a repeatability of ±0.02 mm per axis. Each compact actuator features a protective stainless-steel cover and is powered by a 20-W-ac servomotor with optical encoder. The DS-series systems are suited for use in point-to-point positioning of a wide range of lightweight end-effectors. Flexible and easily programmable, the systems are provided with brackets, cables, and cable tracks, and each axis has its own controller. IAI Industrieroboter GmbH, Schwalbach am Taunus, Germany.

Pressure-sensitive adhesives

A pressure-sensitive material is designed with a permanent adhesive on one side and a removable adhesive on the other. The product is intended for medical devices that require permanent adhesion to one surface while permitting easy removal from a second surface. Potential applications include removable labels and surgical drapes. A removable polyacrylate adhesive also was recently introduced by the company. The product adheres to smooth surfaces for long periods without leaving a residue; it is suited for single-faced applications such as microtitre plate covers and diagnostic test-strip covers. Adhesives Research Europe Ltd., Great Dunmow, Essex, UK.

OEM diaphragm pump

A compact OEM diaphragm pump is suitable for space-critical and portable air- and gas-related equipment. Model T2-03 measures 1.61 x 0.59 x 1.11 in., and has free-flow rates from 200 to 2500 cm³/min, pressures to 4 psig, and vacuums to 15 in.Hg. The pump's high-efficiency valve design and ironless core motor suit it for battery-operated uses. Because it has no exposed moving parts, the unit is quiet and easy to mount. The company's full engineering, prototyping, and assembly facilities support the development of custom OEM products. Optional motors, designs, and alternative materials for chemical resistance are offered. T-Squared Manufacturing Corp., Fairfield, NJ, USA.

Lenses

Lenses suited for use in laser and infrared optical systems are available in standard biaspherical, monoaspherical, and spherical designs, as well as in custom configurations. The lenses are moulded in an optical-grade plastic that withstands working temperatures ranging from ­10° to 75°C and that features transmission properties in excess of 90%. The company can supply data sheets along with lens evaluation packs on request. Support components such as diode lasers, emitters, and detectors are also produced; technical advice on potential applications can be provided. LasIRvis Optoelectronic Components, Bedford, UK.

Plastic injectors

Benchtop plastic injectors are well suited for R&D, prototyping, insert moulding, and production runs of intricate plastic parts without high tooling costs. The AB-100-series manual and AB-200-series semiautomatic injectors (Model AB-200-4 is shown below) have a clamp force of 4000 lb and shot capacity of ¼ oz. Maximum mould size is 2½ x 3 x 2 in. Both feature a stainless-steel injection chamber and plunger. They also offer insert moulding capability. The semiautomatic series offers one-touch clamping, injection, and ejection of the mould, with each operation adjustable from the front panel. All pneumatic devices are lubrication-free, making them suitable for medical and other cleanroom applications. The manual machines weigh 60 lb and accommodate right-handed or left-handed operation. The semiautomatic models weigh 88 lb and do not require permanent installation. A.B. Machinery, Montreal, PQ, Canada.

Regulatory data

Regulatory data for the medical device and pharmaceutical industries can be accessed on CD-ROM or via the Internet. The electronic libraries are intended to be used as an aid in design and product development. Products include the US and EU Medical Device Libraries, the US Food and Drug Library, the EU and UK Pharmaceutical Library, and the Japanese Pharma-Devices Update. IHS Health Information, Englewood, CO, USA.

Device coating

A thin, flexible coating that adheres to metal, glass, or polymer substrates is suited for the surface treatment of guidewires and related devices. Slip-Coat hydrogel coating immediately becomes slippery when it comes into contact with body fluids or water, allowing for easy and safe manipulation of invasive devices. The coating is permanent and nonthrombogenic, enabling manufacturers to produce low-cost biocompatible devices without having to use substitute materials, according to the company. Previous formulations of the coating have been used to successfully treat devices made from various polymers, titanium, and nitinol. The company also provides packaging, sterilization, and testing services. STS Biopolymers Inc., Henrietta, NY, USA.

Pressure sensors

Low-profile pressure sensors in a side-port DIP package are designed for applications where a small envelope and precision performance are required. The SDXD4 series features 10 sensors ranging from 0–1 to 0–150 psi in absolute, gauge, and differential pressure ranges. The sensors are laser trimmed to 100-mV full-scale output. The zero pressure offset is set to within ±1 mV. All SDXD4 sensors are temperature compensated to limit typical thermal shifts to ±1.0%/°C in 0°–50°C environments; they will, however, operate from ­40° to 85°C. Typical accuracy is ±0.50% of full-scale output. The devices are suited for use in medical monitoring equipment. SenSym, Milpitas, CA, USA.

Surface-treatment equipment

A machine coats devices with diamondlike carbon (DLC) by means of plasma-assisted chemical vapour deposition. DLC coatings improve a material's biocompatibility, lubricity, and resistance to wear and corrosion. A radio-frequency field generated by a 1-kW power supply ionizes the gases; as many as four gases can be introduced during different stages of the coating process. The system can be operated manually, semiautomatically, or automatically. In automatic mode, 20 time periods, ranging from 0.01 second to 99 hours, can be programmed, and up to eight control outputs are available within each period. The equipment can be supplied with chambers suited for specialized applications. Diavac ACM Ltd., London, UK.

Nitinol components

Because of its elasticity and shape-memory properties, nitinol is suited for guidewire, catheter, stent, and surgical instrument applications. The company uses the nickel-titanium compound to fabricate round and rectangular wires, strips, sheets, tubing, and formed components. Nitinol alloys with various surface finishes and transformation temperatures are processed. EUROflex G. Rau GmbH, Pforzheim, Germany.

Linear vacuum pumps

Compact, oil-free linear vacuum pumps and compressors feature a double diaphragm. Depending on the model, pump performance ranges from 11 to 200 L/m with vacuums to 770 mbar and pressures to 0.7 bar. The pumps offer minimal noise emissions and virtually maintenance-free operation. For additional noise attenuation, models can be supplied with an acoustic enclosure. Gast Manufacturing Company Ltd., High Wycombe, Bucks, UK.

Feeling Neglected?

If you manufacture a product or provide a service that you feel has Top 40 potential, send a press release and photo, if available, to the editor. If appropriate, we'll publish a review in an upcoming issue. Then, it's up to the readers.

You may send press release material in care of the editor to either the German or US office.

Canon Communications
EMDM
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Canon Communications LLC
EMDM
Top 40
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USA
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