Medical Device Link.

Originally Published MEM Fall 2002

10th Anniversary

From component selection to advanced technologies, for 10 years the pages of MEM have been filled with the latest information and practical guidance on the development of medical electronics products.

Sherrie Conroy

This issue of Medical Electronics Manufacturing marks a milestone. As we focus on the past 10 years of MEM, we reflect on the ever-increasing importance of integrating advanced technologies into the highly regulated industry of medical electronics. As MEM celebrates this significant anniversary, we also commemorate the tremendous value of a publication dedicated to this vital segment of the industry. We salute its coverage of the critical issues it has touched on since its inception in 1992.

The first four annual issues of MEM were literally called Designer's Handbook, and they set the stage for a strong editorial focus to a targeted audience with unique issues and concerns. "The purpose of this handbook is twofold," said the handbook's first editor, "to provide guidance on selecting specific electrical/electronic components for medical devices, and to identify electrical/electronic suppliers who are committed to the medical device industry."

That first issue introduced a reference section with articles ranging from microelectronic sensors to medical electronics safety testing. It also included a comprehensive buyers guide with more than 725 suppliers then serving the industry. After several years of rapid growth, in 1996 the handbook split into its current two-issue format with a spring edition focused on the buyers guide and a fall edition focused on reference articles.

By 1997, more than 900 companies were listed in the spring buyers guide. Just two years later, in 1999, more than 1150 suppliers were included, and new categories were added each year as new technologies made their way into the world of medical electronics. The buyers guide currently boasts more than 1300 suppliers to the industry. Even after one of the biggest decades of mergers and acquisitions, many of the original advertisers continue to participate in the publication, and special corporate or product profiles throughout this issue commemorate their support.

MEM's mission has always been clear, and it remains the same today: a publication dedicated to the design and development of medical electronic products. Some of the topics covered in the first issue are equally as critical today. Throughout the years, MEM has provided key information on new technologies, components, and manufacturing methods. As these technologies matured in the faster-paced information technology and telecommunications industries, major advancements in areas such as embedded systems and wireless technologies made their way into medical electronics. By 1999, MEM introduced a special section devoted to Embedded Systems to keep manufacturers up to date on key advances in this area.

The Early Days

What is often more astonishing than change is what remains the same. A look back at the 1992 issue reveals topics such as surface-mount technology, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), keyboard capabilities, and safety testing—all of which have been addressed in recent issues of MEM. What has changed is the level of understanding of these topics. In 1992, author Gene Panger wrote, "Most medical device manufacturers … are less familiar with international EMC standards…" A lot has certainly changed since then. EMC has been a special section since 1998. And, in this issue, Dan Hoolihan reviews a new EMC standard that will impose more-stringent requirements on medical products.

In James Sandberg's 1992 look at the viability of surface-mount technology (SMT) for medical device manufacturers, he noted, "The escalating interest in SMT is creating genuine anxiety among small manufacturers.… The major drawback to a change to SMT is that its introduction will render many circuit board assembly designs obsolete." By 1999, the tide had shifted. A new packaging option was the topic. "Chip-scale packaging provides PCBA designers and manufacturers with the mainstream assembly infrastructure compatibility and the performance advantages of surface-mount technology," said author LeRoy Jarvis. "Consequently, the medical device industry has now begun to embrace CSP as a desirable electronics package for use in its performance-driven small-form-factor (SFF) PCBA products."

Exploding Technology

With the growth of the medical electronics industry, the magazine began its two-issue format in 1996 to better serve this crucial segment of the industry. In the first reference-only issue, one topic was introduced that would become more important in the coming years. In "The Future of Medical Microelectromechanical Systems," the author grappled with major barriers to realizing the potential of this technology. The tiny machines were predicted to be used in sensors for implantable devices, insulin drug pumps, monitoring systems, and control devices—a prediction that has come true and helped to reshape (and resize) the industry.

By 1998, it became clear that many technological advances were in store for the medical device industry. MEM reintroduced the idea of including articles in the buyers guide. A few key articles are now included in each buyers guide issue to address critical technologies and their uses in medical applications.

As the telecommunications and other high-tech, consumer-driven industries exploded in the 1990s, they proved to be a fertile testing ground for key technologies that could be transferred to the development of faster, better, smaller, more accurate medical electronics. The Embedded Systems special section was added beginning with the fall 1999 issue.

In that first special section, MEM explored the evolution of single-board computers, advances in digital signal processors, serial data-link bus protocols, and connectivity to Ethernet and the Internet. "There is a technological revolution in the way medical devices are conceived and developed that mirrors recent technological trends in the consumer market," said Fred Salloum in his 1999 article on single-board computers.

Fast Forward

The developments have been fast and furious. But MEM has stood the test of time. Each fall, the designers guide has looked at emerging manufacturing issues, and each spring, the buyers guide provides a more and more comprehensive list of the suppliers of critical electronic components and services. In addition, the buyers guide continues to run feature articles on topics such as pluggable mezzanines, chip-scale packaging, display technologies, and improving processing output.

This edition of the fall's designers guide is packed with precisely the kinds of information readers have come to expect. With the ever-increasing importance of embedded systems in the medical device world, this issue has more articles devoted to this topic than ever before: wireless options, operating systems, device networking, and controller-area networks. An article on PC/104 modules looks at the growth and changes to this technology since MEM first addressed it back in 1997. But also in this issue, articles look at the ever-critical role of safety testing, a new method for manufacturing, and the latest advances in electroluminescent lighting. All this plus a special section focusing on key developments in EMC for medical electronics.

MEM has a successful history of looking at new methods, techniques, and technologies. As we work toward the next 10 years, we need your input. To comment on coverage or to submit articles, contact Sherrie Conroy, Editor, at 310-445-4280 or sherrie.conroy@cancom.com.

Copyright © 2002 Medical Electronics Manufacturing