Medical Electronics
Optimal connector solutions for home healthcare
In the rapidly evolving landscape of healthcare, there is a growing emphasis on home healthcare solutions. One crucial component of this paradigm shift is medical connectors. These devices play a pivotal role in enabling seamless communication between various medical devices, ensuring patient safety and enhancing the overall efficacy of home healthcare systems. Here, Ryan Humphreys, senior associate product manager at cable and connector specialist PEI-Genesis, explains the design requirements behind home healthcare medical connectors
H
ome healthcare has gained immense importance in recent years, driven by factors such as the aging population, rising healthcare costs and the shielding and self-testing requirements of the Coronavirus pandemic. Patients now have more options on how to manage chronic conditions, receive post- operative care and even perform diagnostics at home. However, this transition from hospital to home requires a reliable and interconnected system of medical devices. Medical connectors serve as the linchpin of this system, facilitating the flow of data and power between devices while maintaining patient safety. Insider Intelligence predicts that the global remote patient monitoring systems market will be worth $1.7 billion by 2027. Similarly, a recent McKinsey report indicates that care at home has the potential to unlock higher- quality care for consumers at a lower cost to health systems. This is made possible by advancements in medical device technology — in particular, the innovations in electrical connector designs.
Requirements for home connectors Home healthcare medical connectors are the heroes of modern healthcare systems, enabling the seamless operation of interconnected medical devices in the comfort of patients’ homes. These connectors must be sturdy to withstand daily heavy use, have IP67 sealing
protection against solid and water ingress, and be equipped with EMI shielding to optimise reliable data transmission. Although these qualities are advantageous for home healthcare connectors, patient expectations diverge. Medical connectors must also be easy to clean and disinfect to prevent the spread of infections. Smooth, non-porous materials like plastic and sealed designs are crucial for this purpose. When employing medical devices in a home environment, such as glucose testing or blood pressure monitoring, space constraints can be a concern. Patients may already face mobility limitations due to their health conditions, so devices with bulky designs and intricate wiring may not be practical.
For household medical devices, plastic push-pull connectors are frequently favoured due to their cost-effectiveness and hygienic properties compared to metal alternatives. Their compact size makes them well-suited for portable or wearable medical devices, ensuring that patients are not inconvenienced by unwieldy and complicated machinery.
Similarly, plastic connectors are non-conductive, reducing
38 October 2023 Components in Electronics
the risk of electrical shocks or interference during device usage. They are also more resistant to corrosion and can withstand exposure to various environmental conditions, making them reliable for long-term use. Home devices also need to be able to tolerate some rough handling. Patients carrying their devices around in a bag or pocket may cause wear-and-tear to the electrical components. Plastic is preferable to metal because if a connector is damaged, plastic connectors are easier to source and cheaper to replace.
Safeguarding internal components To safeguard the internal components of connectors and cables, LEMO Redel has incorporated outer-release sleeves into the design of its plastic push-pull connector latching systems. This feature ensures that the connection remains intact even if an operator tugs on the cable. In situations requiring swift decoupling from the device, operators can conveniently pull on the outer release sleeve for a rapid disconnection. Ensuring the protection of interconnects and contacts is a critical aspect of connector design for medical devices. This is particularly important because these connectors must support higher speeds
and densities to facilitate increased data acquisition and transfer. With the potential growing demand for remote patient monitoring, it becomes paramount to guarantee the safety and efficiency of the connector’s computational elements. Reliability and user-friendliness are imperative qualities for medical device connectors, whether they are utilized in a hospital or a home setting. LEMO Redel’s plastic push-pull connectors are designed for ease of operation and can be colour- coded to match the device, reducing the likelihood of accidental mismatches. Moreover, their housing material can undergo sterilization without the risk of water penetration, thus minimizing the potential for bacterial contamination. Connectors are also equipped with an audible click when connected to alert the user when they are fully sealed.
Emphasising trust
Similar to the trust patients place in their doctors, it is imperative for medical device original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to have confidence in their suppliers, ensuring they receive the appropriate connectors. As technology continues to advance, medical connector designers must remain vigilant in their pursuit of innovative solutions that not only meet core requirements but also enhance the overall quality of care provided in home healthcare settings. In doing so, they contribute significantly to the ongoing transformation of healthcare delivery, empowering patients and their caregivers to take an active role in managing health and well-being from the comfort of home. PEI-Genesis is addressing the growing demand for in-home healthcare by fostering partnerships with manufacturers, integrating flexibility, high performance and safety into straightforward ergonomic designs.
www.peigenesis.com
www.cieonline.co.uk.uk
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