Heavy-duty and safety-critical applications and their interconnect systems must be designed to resist mechanical stress and environmental conditions without degrading power, signal, or data transmission. Four tests help ensure high reliability. Ruggedization methods and processes apply to the entire design, engineering, and manufacturing cycle in the creation of high-performance connectivity solutions. From choosing high-quality materialsRead More

Meet the Connector: XLR Connector XLR connectors are a type of electrical connector commonly used in professional audio and video (AV) applications, with limited application in medical video technologies and industrial AV equipment. The name “XLR” stands for “eXternal Line Return.” The XLR is sometimes referred to simply as an audio connector. This circular connectorRead More

Mitigating the impact of electromagnetic interference begins at the board level when designing electronic systems for use in complex medical, aerospace, and other environments where multiple technologies operate. Managing electromagnetic interference (EMI) is critical in busy settings where multiple and diverse types of electronic equipment are operating in tandem, such as medical, aerospace, military, andRead More

New developments in artificial intelligence are making computer-assisted surgery more precise, less invasive, and more successful than ever. Artificial Intelligence in Computer-Assisted Surgery Computer-assisted surgery, also called image-guided surgery (IGS), has been a key player in the operating room for more than two decades. IGS provides surgeons with real-time 3-D images of body structures, includingRead More

The implementation of the new CA mark for use in products sold in Great Britain will now take effect at the end of 2024. Here’s what you need to know. Great Britain is developing its own independent regulatory framework for goods sold in England, Scotland, and Wales. As part of this process, products — includingRead More

This week’s Product Roundup highlights disposable interconnects from leading suppliers. Disposable Interconnects HyperGrip from Smiths Interconnect is a circular plastic, user-configurable, color-coded connector with push/pull latching design allowing for one-hand disconnect. HyperGrip is designed to meet medical industry requirements such as finger-proofing to IEC60601, flammability rated to UL94 V0, and is compatible with most sterilization requirements. The Series includesRead More

Sensor-guided technologies help surgeons  push the barriers of surgical innovation. Thanks to sensor-guided medical technologies such as robot-assisted surgery, endoscopic diagnostics, and electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy, surgeons are able to perform precise medical procedures with minimally invasive surgery (MIS), accelerating patient recovery and improving outcomes. Robotic arms combined with 3D visualization of the site allow doctorsRead More

Connectivity solutions for medical equipment must be safe, dependable, durable, easy to operate, and meet critical regulatory requirements. Medical connectors are used to transmit data, power, and control signals to a system or piece of equipment that provides patient care in a hospital, clinic, or home health setting. There is more to specifying and choosingRead More

New regulations impact the more than 500,000 types of medical devices and in vitro diagnostic (IVD) medical devices in Europe. What do these regulations mean for device manufacturers? European Union Medical Devices Regulation (2017/745/ EU) (MDR) represents a major update to the Medical Devices Directive (93/42/EEC) (MDD) and the Active Implantable Medical Devices Directive (90/385/EEC)Read More

Whether implanted in the body or used against skin, patients depend on electronic devices to resist bacteria. A new generation of biocompatible materials makes high-tech medicine safer than ever. Cardiac pacemakers, stents, knee and hip implants, insulin pumps, cochlear implants, and other electronic medical devices have increased the quality of life for millions of people.Read More

The pandemic has altered the healthcare ecosystem and stimulated innovations in the medical sector. As a result, doctors and patients have new connected tools to promote health outside of the clinical setting. Medical Trends The COVID19 pandemic has provided us with new insights into the healthcare ecosystem and its impact on society. It has alsoRead More

Wearable consumer-grade technology provided valuable diagnostic information, which led to a successful therapeutic treatment that saved my life. In mid-February, one of my doctors detected an irregular heartbeat during a routine office visit and suggested I see a cardiologist. The cardiologist requested approval from my medical insurance provider for a routine resting electrocardiogram (ECG) andRead More