MDB Newsletter 5-20-2009

Posted in Newsletter on Wednesday, May 20 2009

INSIDER Special Edition - Medical Design 05/20/09
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In this edition, sponsored by Steute Meditech, COMSOL, and Protomold:

• NASA Aerospace Resin Finds New Use in Cardiac Device
• Implantable Device Continuously Tracks Tumor Growth
• Medical Design Briefs Magazine Debuts
• Open-Access MRI System for Lung Research
• Wireless, Handheld, Electronic Medical Records Application
• Crashworthy Seats Would Afford Superior Protection

NASA Aerospace Resin Finds New Use in Cardiac Device

Medtronic's CRT devices use LaRC-SI as insulation on thin metal lead wires.
A NASA technology that was developed for an aerospace research program is now part of an implantable device for heart failure patients. NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, VA, created an advanced aerospace resin called Langley Research Center's Soluble Imide (LaRC-SI). It is highly flexible, resistant to chemicals, and withstands extreme hot and cold temperatures. The "super plastic" is biologically inert, making it suitable for medical use, including implantable devices.

In July 2004, NASA licensed the patented insulation technology to Medtronic, a Minneapolis-based company that incorporated the material into its Attain Ability left-heart lead, which was recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Cardiac resynchronization therapy, or CRT, is designed to coordinate the contraction of the heart's two lower chambers and improve the heart's efficiency to increase blood flow to the body. CRT devices, which are stopwatch-sized, are implanted into the chest and connected to the heart by leads, such as the Attain Ability left-heart lead. Electrical impulses generated by CRTs resynchronize heartbeats and improve blood flow.

LaRC-SI makes possible the compact and flexible design of Medtronic's CRT lead, one of the thinnest left-heart leads available. Placing a lead in the heart is widely recognized by physicians as the most challenging aspect of implanting CRT devices. The narrow design allows physicians to choose between different sites on the heart to deliver optimal therapy.

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Sponsor Message

Free Acoustics Simulation Kit CD

Learn more about multiphysics simulation of acoustics. This CD features several animated, narrated tutorials that guide you through the modeling process to:
- analyze a loudspeaker
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- visualize the acoustic waves in an automobile interior
- study acoustic-structure interactions

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Implantable Device Continuously Tracks Tumor Growth

MIT researchers have developed a device, right, that can be implanted into a tumor to monitor how it responds to treatment.
Surgical removal of a tissue sample is now the standard for diagnosing cancer. These biopsies are accurate, but only offer a snapshot of the tumor at a single moment in time. Michael Cima, MIT professor of materials science and engineering, has developed the first implantable device that can monitor a tumor for weeks or months after the biopsy, tracking its growth and how it responds to treatment.

The devices, which could be implanted at the time of biopsy, could also be tailored to monitor chemotherapy agents, allowing doctors to determine whether cancer drugs are reaching the tumors. They can also be designed to measure pH (acidity) or oxygen levels, which reveal tumor metabolism and how it is responding to therapy.

The cylindrical, 5-millimeter implant contains magnetic nanoparticles coated with antibodies specific to the target molecules. Target molecules enter the implant through a semipermeable membrane, bind to the particles, and cause them to clump together. That clumping can be detected by MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).

The device is made of a polymer called polyethylene, which is commonly used in orthopedic implants. The semipermeable membrane, which allows target molecules to enter but keeps the magnetic nanoparticles trapped inside, is made of polycarbonate, a compound used in many plastics.

Click here for the full story.

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Tips For Designing Better Plastic Parts
Not only is Protomold the fastest and most cost effective way to get short run injection molded parts, we also strive to be the most informative. Our monthly Design Tips have been a popular and useful resource for our customers. Each compilation features useful tips, advice, and guidelines on everything from selecting materials to designing parts efficiently and cost-effectively.

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Medical Design Briefs Debuts


Medical Design Briefs (MDB), a supplement to NASA Tech Briefs, debuted this month, covering the latest medical and biomedical innovations from NASA, its industry partners, and other major players in medical R&D worldwide. MDB includes articles and product briefs on electronics, sensors, test & measurement, imaging, software, materials, mechanical components, manufacturing/prototyping, and much more.

The premier issue includes a special feature on surgical robotics, which is revolutionizing the way minimally invasive procedures are done. A feature on "custom" implants created using advances in digital medical modeling describes how patient-specific body parts are now made with amazing new speed and efficiency.

Click here to view the May issue of Medical Design Briefs.


Advertiser Preview


Here's a sneak peek at the products, services, and offers available from first-time advertisers in the May issue of Medical Design Briefs.

ALPAO (Saint Martin d'Hères, France) offers high-speed deformable mirrors and adaptive optics systems.
Click here for more info.

Brentwood Industries (Reading, PA) offers design, engineering, prototyping, and manufactiuring capabilities to transform electronic design data to finished formed plastic parts.
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Dranetz-BMI (Edison, NJ) provides the DranEST III+ electrical safety tester for compliance with medical and lab equipment standards.
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Dynamics Research Corp. (Wilmington, MA) provides induction coils, flex and rigid microcircuits, electroformed components, and contract services.
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FastVision (Nashua, NH) introduces the FastCamera34 CCD smart camera based on the Kodak KA10340 VGA-format CCD sensor capable of 210 frames per second.
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Kavlico (Moorpark, CA) offers the P6060 pressure sensors for use in oxygen generators, respirators, and ventilators. They have a piezoresistive sense element in a low-profile, surface-mount package.
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Laserage Technology Corp. (Waukegan, IL) provides precision laser contract manufacturing and machining of most materials. They also provide laser welding, drilling, and scribing.
Click here for more info.

Leister Technologies (Itasca, IL) offers laser plastic welding for medical applications that features hermetic sealing, no particulates, and no vibrations.
Click here for more info.

mdi Consultants (Great Neck, NY) provides US FDA/EU/Canadian regulatory consultation including 510(K), ISO 13485, clinical trials, system and software validation, and FDA troubleshooting.
Click here for more info.

Oetiker (Marlette, MI) offers hose and tubing connections for medical, biomedical, and pharmaceutical industries, as well as scientific instruments and devices.
Click here for more info.

Orchid Orthopedic Solutions (Holt, MI) provides contract design and manufacturing for the orthopedic, dental, and cardiovascular markets. They offer a range of implants and instruments.
Click here for more info.

Steute Meditech (Ridgefield, CT) provides medically compliant foot-operated controls available for cabled, wireless, or hybrid operation.
Click here for more info.

ThermoElectric Cooling America Corp. (Chicago, IL) offers the CPV cold plates that deliver temperature-controlled, programmable surfaces, as well as liquid chillers, air conditioners, and accessories.
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Tech Briefs

NASA's Johnson Space Center has developed an open-access magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system for use in lung physiology and function. It operates at a magnetic flux density that is considerably smaller than that of other MRI systems.
Click here for the full story.

Delphi Medical Systems has developed PocketChart(tm), a wireless, handheld electronic medical records application that enables a PocketPC to synchronize with a desktop computer. This allows healthcare providers to update, view, exchange, and print patient information.
Click here for the full story.

NASA Johnson is developing seats to prevent or limit crash injuries to astronauts that could be adapted to seats for military and civilian aircraft, as well as racing cars. The seats provide a range of hip-support adjustments to accommodate a range of body lengths.
Click here for the full story.

Sponsor Message


STEUTE "Medical-Grade" Foot-Operated Controls

STEUTE medical-grade, foot-operated controls are designed for optimum functionality, operator comfort, and aesthetic appearance. OEMs have a choice of actuators, connectors, graphics, IP rating, contacts, analog/digital control capability and cabled and/or wireless operation. Each unit complies with all relevant Standards (IEC, CE, UL, CSA, FCC).

Click here for more information.
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