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Thursday, September 13, 2007
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Exacting Solutions for Medical
Precision Technology
Precision technology presents a whole different set of challenges from those of traditional medical device manufacturing. With that in mind, we at MD&DI have included a Guide to Medical Precision Technology with our September issue.
To set the stage, our senior associate editor, Maria Fontanazza, has written an overview of how precision technology is driving the evolution of orthopedic devices. The demands from orthopedics manufacturers are tremendous. Anyone who works with them must make extremely accurate components within a very quick turnaround time. Luckily, precision manufacturing machine technology has become much more affordable, so there are more players with the appropriate capabilities now. Still, device companies whose products require precision manufacturing must ensure that potential suppliers can deliver on what they promise. This article points out some things to look for.
One requirement of many orthopedic devices is to have implantable fabrics designed to minimize invasiveness and improve patient recovery time. Jeffrey Koslosky, director of R&D at Secant Medical (Perkasie, PA), shows engineers how they can adapt these fabrics into their designs. When should they be used, what materials should be used for them, and how can they be integrated into a cohesive design strategy? Here is where to find out.
The surface finish is an extremely important aspect of an orthopedic implant. If a surface is irregular, the device could be victimized by adhesive and abrasive wear. Ed Reitz, senior corporate application engineer for Saint-Gobain Abrasives (Nashville, TN), breaks down how this wear can happen, shows how to detect it, and offers possible remedies. There are a number of methods that can be used with grinding and polishing orthopedic implants, and this article highlights them all.
However, some precision parts are so sophisticated that they can’t be made easily with conventional machining. In some cases, electrical discharge machining (EDM) can be a solution. Patrick Lorenz and Norm Turoff of Veridam Advanced EDM (Poway, CA) explain how EDM works and why it can be an advantage for some applications.
We hope this guide meets your precision technology manufacturing needs. If you have any suggestions for future coverage of this sector, please let us know.
Tubing
What to Consider for Tube Manufacturing
By William Leventon
Manufacturers discuss the critical questions OEMs need to ask themselves when looking for tubing.
Manufacturing Strategies
Manufacturing Strategies: Environmental Monitoring
By Scott Mackin
ISO 14644 and ISO 14698 are key to environmental monitoring and testing.
Automation
Integrating Robots into the Manufacturing Process
By Bruce Fiala
Device OEMs may benefit from integrating a carefully selected robot.
Materials
Material Selection for Medical Devices
By Glenda Eilo
Device sustainability can be ensured through proper materials selection.
Guide to Medical Precision Technology
Precision Technology: The Driving Force in Orthopedics
By Maria Fontanazza
Precision technology helps orthopedics companies address a growing trend for smaller products with tighter tolerances.
Guide to Medical Precision Technology
Illuminating Implantable Fabrics
By Jeffrey Koslosky
Design engineers are discovering new uses for implantable textiles in orthopedic device applications.
More from this issue of MD&DI
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