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MEDICAL & PHARMACEUTICAL


plastic parts down to the size of a grain of rice. These are ideal for making miniature switches, gears, pins, housings, light tubes, lenses and buttons for miniature medical devices. These can be found in wearable sensors,


for example, that are becoming increasingly common in athletic uniforms, equipment and clothing. These sensors contain batteries, temperature and humidity sensors, and accelerometers, to measure athletic performance, perspiration, heart rate and more. Going even smaller we get to micro


electromechanical systems, or MEMS. MEMS combine integrated circuits with micro- machined actuators, so tiny they fit on the head of a pin. MEMS can be injected into the bloodstream to target specific organelles or to dispense precise doses of medicine. They are also used for radiologic tracking inside the body. So far, the most common application for MEMS technology is in the form of accelerometers and pressure-sensitive diaphragms in heart pacemakers and blood pressure monitors. This is one technology that’s poised to increase dramatically in the next few years.


CnC maChining and 3d printing Although these are not new or revolutionary technologies, medical researchers are constantly finding innovative applications for both subtractive and additive digital manufacturing. CNC machining is the more traditional


manufacturing method, being fast, versatile, and


highly accurate. Capable of cutting any material as long as it’s rigid enough to hold its shape against the cutter, CNC machines don’t require fixed tooling so they have minimal set-up costs. A multi-axis CNC mill can be quickly


programmed for emergency medical use. Examples would include non-invasive appliances like catheters, clamps, or braces. And, increasingly, small and lightweight CNC machines can be located in isolated areas to provide on-the- spot custom fabrication where it’s needed most. 3D printing is not a high-volume production


solution, but its value lies in its ability to make very complex shapes that are perfectly customised to an individual person’s anatomy. This is ideal for making prosthetics, orthotics, temporary casts, or dental implants. In fact, more than 160 hospitals in the United States now have a centralised 3D printing facility in- house, with other countries following suit. The most cutting-edge application for 3D


printing is bioprinting. This involves using a patient’s own cells, immersed in a growth medium, to cultivate replacement skin, tissue or muscle. Such an approach avoids the problem of tissue rejection, as happens with foreign donors. As 3D bioprinting technology evolves, we will soon see complete replacement organs – with living, viable nervous systems – coming out of a vat for immediate surgical implantation, or to be cryogenically frozen for possible later use. The promise of 3D bioprinting is still being explored, but it seems


ADVERTORIALS Medical Connectors – the Best of Care with ODU!


Medical electronics equipment is currently proving invaluable in the fightback against Covid-19, so it is no surprise that this continues to be a fast-expanding market. This growth is stimulating innovation, demanding connector systems to match specific needs. Obviously, consistent performance and reliability are crucially important and ODU has proven themselves many times over, meeting the strictest regulatory requirements and the most demanding specifications.


ODU MEDI-SNAP® The ODU MEDI-SNAP® combines distinctive coding options with over 2,000 mating cycles and is available both with user-friendly Push-Pull locking and easy-to-release Break- Away function, which comes as a pre-moulded plug & play solution. Its space-saving design enables top performance in the smallest available space.


Top protection IEC 60601-1 medical standard requires devices and components to provide patients and operators with maximum protection from electric shock. Increased clearance and creepage distances fulfil the highest requirements. A White Paper on IEC 60601-1 can be downloaded from the ODU website”.


ODU-MAC® White Line This is a modular connector system that can provide perfect custom-made medical connector solutions for larger equipment. Every new product must permanently deliver high performance and ensure the highest dimension of safety. With outstanding contact resistance over more than 100,000 mating cycles, we ensure the reliable transmission of signals, power, high current, high voltage, RF signals (coax), medical gases and liquids, as well as data and fibre-optic signals. • Optionally 100% nonÐmagnetic • SplashÐproof, with ergonomic and intuitive locking system • Implementation of MOPP & MOOP • Cable assembly and silicone over-moulded system solutions


Image copyright ValentinBrands


Maximum efficiency To support ever-faster medical equipment innovation, suppliers need to have not only a wide range of standard products, but must also be fast and responsive when only a customer- specific design can neatly solve the problem. ODU has a very high level of vertical integration, all our technologies are under one roof,


from design and development through to volume production, thus making it possible to offer ODU products of the highest quality at realistic prices.


ODU UK Ltd u 0330 002 0640 u sales@odu-uk.co.uk u www.odu-uk.co.uk


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INDUSTRY FOCUS


almost miraculous in its potential. While commercial manufacturers won’t be


responsible for doing the clinical printing itself, they will need to make machines that are specially designed for cleanroom conditions. They must have temperature-stable nutrient tanks that can withstand chemicals and UV sterilisation protocols; and all raw materials must be carefully tested and verified to the highest standards.


be smart and prepared Smart manufacturers who want to be a part of these exciting trends need to be good at a few core disciplines. They should be skilled at creating highly customised solutions, often with short lead times. In addition, they must also be comfortable with low-volumes, and working with a wide variety of advanced engineering materials that get combined into complex finished assemblies. Perhaps most importantly, they must be


prepared to work closely with their clients to understand their needs clearly, and then communicate these expectations throughout the organisation. That’s because medical product designs are not commodities. They’re highly specialised, with requirements that may be unique to specific products. Only responsive and agile suppliers will succeed in bringing these types of demanding designs to life.


Star Rapid www.starrapid.com


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