Supplement: Interconnection Connections that save lives David Phillips, managing director of binder UK, explores connectors in patient monitoring
“Smart Healthcare” refers to technologies that aim to enable seamless monitoring of vital signs in patients with chronic heart failure, diabetes, or cancer. Photo: Piyapan/AdobeStock
T
he Internet of Things (IoT) is influencing one of the most significant future developments in healthcare: the term “smart healthcare” encompasses
technologies that facilitate uninterrupted monitoring of vital signs in patients with chronic conditions such as heart failure, diabetes, or cancer. Precise electrical connection technology ensures the reliable transmission of health data between different devices and to medical staff. By the year 2050, the number of individuals aged 60 or above is projected to reach two billion globally, representing a twofold increase from the current figure. The number of individuals aged 80 and above is projected to reach 430 million, representing a threefold increase from the current figure. Furthermore, the prevalence of chronic illnesses in Western societies is increasing, resulting in a corresponding rise in the demand for a diverse array of medical devices and services. Against this backdrop,
26 February 2025
remote monitoring of parameters such as blood sugar levels and blood pressure will become an important measure to support doctors and healthcare services in the care of their patients. The objective of patient monitoring is to identify instances where pre-established thresholds for vital parameters have been exceeded or not met, and to alert healthcare providers if intervention is necessary. The data facilitates the identification of patterns and early indications of deterioration in health status by medical personnel. Furthermore, there is an emerging trend towards the remote monitoring of patients in their home environment, beyond the clinical context.
Components and critical requirements
The essential components of patient monitors include sensors that are capable of capturing a range of physiological parameters, including body temperature, blood pressure and oxygen saturation. It
Components in Electronics
is necessary to have interfaces that are capable of transmitting data from sensors for subsequent analysis on other devices or at a monitoring station. It is essential that medical care devices are precise and reliable in terms of functionality. In addition, ease of use and mobility are crucial factors. Medical devices should feature intuitive controls and be straightforward to set up, so that even individuals without technical knowledge or medical training can operate them. The incorporation of ergonomic handles and clear markings is crucial for the minimisation of potential delays or errors. The incorporation of locking mechanisms with tactile feedback or colour coding serves to prevent erroneous connections or inadvertent disconnection and confusion. The electrical connection technology utilised in medical devices must comply with the relevant standards, which ensure electrical and functional safety, as well as interoperability across manufacturers and devices. A summary of the key
normative requirements can be found in the information box entitled “Standards for medical technology interfaces”. In addition to robust and reliable functionality, it is of paramount importance that medical connectors are capable of maintaining signal integrity despite frequent use over numerous connection cycles. It is therefore essential that the components in question demonstrate resistance to mechanical wear in order to achieve an optimal service life. Furthermore, environmental factors such as dust and moisture, chemical influences, and the effects of frequent cleaning and high-temperature disinfection must be considered to ensure the correct and stable transmission of data.
Designed to meet medical technology criteria
Circular connectors for medical applications by binder, a specialist from Neckarsulm, Germany, were developed according to
www.cieonline.co.uk
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