Medical Device Link.

EDITOR'S PAGE

Caution: Military-Industrial Complex Ahead

COVER STORY

Double-Redundant and Fail-Safe Design for Packaging Machinery
Ray Johnson

When properly applied, double-redundant and fail-safe design methods focus validation practices on machine enhancement and reliability, reducing dependence on operator vigilance and intervention.

COATING TECHNOLOGY

Assessing the Effects of Sterilization Methods on Parylene Coatings
Lonny Wolgemuth

Results of laboratory tests provide insight to the poststerilization characteristics of this common device-coating material.

Sidebar: Parylene Coating Technology

ELECTRONICS

Understanding the New EMC Standard for Medical Devices: What Manufacturers Need to Know Now
Don Sherratt

WASHINGTON WRAP-UP

FDA's Feigal Raps Industry on Quality
James G. Dickinson

CDRH director also discusses budget woes, user fees at AdvaMed forum.

R&D DIGEST:

• Probing Cartilage at Nanoscale Levels
• New Tools for DNA Screening
• New Tools Aid in Nerve Repair
• Trials Begin for Lung Surgery Device
• Converging Technologies Add Spark to Healthcare

BULLETIN BOARD

Polyamide-imide material performs well in nonlubricated applications. Protein-based biomaterials offer an unusually high level of human compatibility. A company offers a wide variety of nitinol fabrication operations, and more!

NEWS & ANALYSIS

• Move Toward PDA-Based Devices Gets Boost from FDA
  
• Industry Urged to Follow Nano Research
  
• Dry-Heat Sterilization Methods Focus of Draft Standard
  
• Council Promotes Yangtze Region
• Going From Temp to Perm: It's "Heart" Work