Manufacturing & Prototyping

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OPTEK Technology (Carrollton, TX) offers the OCB350 Series fluid sensor that features automatic calibration circuitry. It is available with multiple output states for medical applications. Designers can initiate the calibration procedure at any time by grounding the J1-pin-4, which allows the device to be remotely calibrated and then mounted in the equipment. The housing includes an opening that accommodates clear tubing with outer diameters of 0.0625”, 0.125”, or 0.1875”. The infrared LED features a forward DC current of 50 mA with a peak current of 1.0 A. Reverse DC voltage is 2.0 V and power dissipation is 100 mW. The output photo-transistor features a maximum collector-emitter volage of 24V or 30V, with collector DC current of 50 mA and power dissipation to 100 mW. Operating temperature ranges from -40 °C to 85 °C.

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Portescap (West Chester, PA) has introduced the AthlonixTM high-power density brush DC motor that features a compact, lightweight package (15 to 53 grams, depending on frame size), and output power of up to 9 watts. The energy-efficient coreless design includes optimized self-supporting coil and magnetic circuit, which delivers maximized power density and sustained endurance in 12, 16, and 22 mm frame sizes. The optimized coil design leads to low motor regulation factor with energy efficiency approaching 90%, depending on motor load conditions. With a maximum continuous torque of 16.5 mNm, the motor is suitable for use in medical pumps.

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Watson-Marlow Pumps Group (Wilmington, MA) offers 313VBM/D and 520VBM/R OEM panel mount VBM peristaltic pumps with brushless DC gearmotor drives, suitable for automated flexible batch cell culture. These pumps are designed for 24-hour operation and utilize silicone or Bioprene tubing. The 313VBM/D accepts 24V input, comes in four speeds with a maximum of 480 rpm, and achieves flows up to 2 liters/min. The flip-top pump head offers easy tube loading. The 520VBM/R2 accepts 24VDC, comes in three speeds with a maximum of 360 rpm, and achieves flows up to 5.4 liters/min. Both models use a Premotec brushless DC motor with a built-in controller for control of speed, stop/start, and direction.

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MicroMo Electronics (Clearwater, FL) offers brushless flat DC micromotors suitable for laboratory and medical applications. The motors deliver nominal voltages of 6 or 12 V. The 15 m-diameter motors provide continuous output torque of 0.6 mNm, while the 26-mm-diameter motors provide 3.8 mNm. Gearmotor versions of these drives increase the output
torque to 30 or 100 mNm, and are available with reduction ratios of 6 to 324:1 (Series 15) or 8 to 1257: 1 (Series 26).

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The need to minimize healthcare costs is creating greater demand for equipment that, among other things, improves and expands patient diagnostics, both inside and outside healthcare facilities. For example, portable medical instruments such as glucose meters, blood pressure monitors, and oxygen meters can be designed with communication capabilities to provide continuous information to caregivers almost anywhere. Smaller handheld devices can also improve various diagnostic procedures in dentistry and medical offices. In addition, these smaller portable devices can improve the quality of life for patients who use them. While such devices hold the promise of improved care at lower cost, they require advanced technologies that allow greater miniaturization to further improve portability and functionality.
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This technology provides the ability to uniformly distribute and attach particulate matter onto fibrous composite sheet or web materials.

This technology provides a methodology and products that are formed from fibrous substrates or film-like surfaces by uniform impregnation with a particulate that is subsequently firmly attached. The extremely uniform distribution of the particulate is accomplished by 1) electrically charging a fibrous matrix with individual exposed surfaces to create a uniform distribution of charged sites; 2) applying particulates to this matrix so that particulates adhere at the charged sites; and 3) the particulates are attached to the individual fibers within the substrate by firm non-transient bonding.
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A two-wavelength laser and albumen stent easily repair separated vessels.

Joining severed vessels is a recurring problem in trauma and surgery. The basic technology of joining vessels using sutures has been available for centuries, but remains a slow and tedious process. A complete system for micro-anastomosis of vessels was developed that involves a laser in a clinically useful form factor, and a novel albumen stent to support the vessel during the surgery.
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