From the Editor: The 2023 Products of the Year

This year, our two winners both focus on materials designed to address the special needs of the healthcare industry. Read on to learn the winners of the 2023 Medical Design Briefs’ Readers’ Choice Products of the Year.

Product Focus: Sensors

See what the product focus is on this month. Hint: It's sensors.

New Products and Services

See the new products and services, including Instron's precision specimen loader, Lumedel's fiberoptic collimating lenses, Fume hoods from HEMCO, a lithium coin cell holder for maximizing PC board capacity from Keystone Electronics, and more.

AI Helps Advance Assistive Robotics

Developing assistive robots is a challenging research area, especially when integrating these systems into human environments such as homes and hospitals. To tackle these challenges, the Human-Machine Interaction & Innovation (HMI2) Lab at Santa Clara University is creating a versatile intelligent robot.

Infection-Resistant, 3D Printed Metals Developed for Implants

The work could lead to better infection control in many common surgeries, such as hip and knee replacements, that are performed daily around the world. Bacterial colonization of the implants is one of the leading causes of their failure and bad outcomes after surgery.

Soft Robotic, Wearable Device Improves Walking for Individual with Parkinson’s

Researchers have used a soft, wearable robot to help a person living with Parkinson’s walk without freezing. The robotic garment, worn around the hips and thighs, gives a gentle push to the hips as the leg swings, helping the patient achieve a longer stride.

Squishy, Metal-Free Magnets to Power Robots and Guide Medical Implants

Creating robots from flexible materials allows them to contort in unique ways, handle delicate objects, and explore places that other robots cannot. More rigid robots would be crushed by the deep ocean’s pressure or could damage sensitive tissues in the human body, for example.

Part 1: Designing Piezo Handpieces for Ultrasonic Surgery

Part 1 of this article looks at the general structure, design variants, and system design of ultrasonic medical handpieces. In a future issue, Part 2 will examine driver design, special applications, drive electronics, and failure mechanisms.

Producing a Magic Wand for Pain-Free Dental Treatments

Some people do not go the dentist out of fear, thereby risking a worsening of untreated tooth damage. However, some dental practices offer patients a gentle alternative: The Wand – STA System from Milestone Scientific.

Metamaterial: Stretchable Wearable Thermoelectric Energy Harvester

A team has developed a technology that can increase the flexibility and efficiency of a thermoelectric generator to the world’s highest level by using mechanical metamaterials that do not exist in nature.

Robotic Rehab Helps Stroke Patients Regain Hand Dexterity

An assistive planar robot includes a cutting-edge closed-loop feedback system to monitor the muscle and brain activity of the user in order to trigger the execution of reach and grab in an adaptive way.

Artificial Muscle Device Produces Force 34 Times Its Weight

Researchers have developed a fluid switch using ionic polymer artificial muscles that operates at ultra-low power and produces a force 34 times greater than its weight. Fluid switches control fluid flow, causing the fluid to flow in a specific direction to invoke various movements.

COVID-19 Test Produces Results in One Minute

Researchers have developed a potential COVID-19 test inspired by bioluminescence. Using a molecule found in crustaceans, they have created a rapid approach that detects SARS-CoV-2 protein comparably to one used in vaccine research.

‘Smart Glove’ Boosts Hand Mobility

A new washable wireless smart textile technology has potential uses in virtual reality and American Sign Language. The glove incorporates a sophisticated network of highly sensitive sensor yarns and pressure sensors.

Using Static Electricity to Enhance Biomedical Implants

Researchers have created electrostatic materials that function even with extremely weak ultrasound, heralding the era of permanent implantable electronic devices in biomedicine.

Automated Extrusion: Changing a Tubing Profile During Production

Technology in the medical field is constantly evolving and often requires an extensive array of medical-grade tubing in a variety of materials and thicknesses. Custom extrusion tooling can enable manufacturers to produce an unparalleled range of the highest quality medical tubing in the industry and address considerations such as improving the manufacturing process, product performance, or meeting specific customer requirements.

Precision and Personalized Medicine: The Role of Phenotypes

Phenotyping allows for a deeper understanding of an individual’s unique characteristics, contributing to more effective and targeted medical interventions.

What Is Pulsed Field Ablation and Why Is It Taking Over Electrophysiology?

This article discusses the electrophysiology clinical applications for PFA, the rationale for pursuing PFA over other technologies, other clinical areas that are likely to be impacted by this technology in the future, and the challenges with designing PFA systems.

Surgery

It’s Heart Health Month! What procedure, first used in humans in a mere 22 years ago, has become a widely used treatment option for patients with aortic valve stenosis?

A Breakthrough in Wearable Neuromodulation

An at home, non-invasive for urge urinary incontinence and urinary urgency without the need for surgery, implants, or drugs demonstrated to potential of wearable neuromodulation.

Navigating Clinical Trials with Wearables

Medical-grade wearables can increase patient engagement and gather robust data for clinical trials.

RISING STAR AWARDS 2025 WINNERS ANNOUNCED

Home How to Enter Terms & Conditions Meet the Judges Hall of Stars Sponsors   Platinum Sponsors See all sponsors The wait is over. We’re thrilled to announce the...

Powering Wearables: Balancing Battery Life with Power Efficiency

Wearable medical devices must balance the need for continuous monitoring with power efficiency.

Partnership Announcement: Confluent Becomes ATI’s Fulfillment Partner for Medical Nitinol

Confluent Medical Technologies announced at MD&M West that it has partnered with ATI to invest more than $50 million over the next several years...

Acquisition Announcement: Trelleborg Acquires LSR Company Baron Group

Trelleborg Group is strengthening its position in healthcare & medical by taking yet another major step forward. Trelleborg has, through its business area Trelleborg...

Sustainability Lounge: Exploring Eco-Friendly Initiatives and Innovations

Immerse yourself in the world of eco-conscious innovation at the Sustainability Lounge, a dynamic learning hub hosted in partnership with Guacamole Airplane (GA)....

News & Brews: Podcasters and Influencers Deliver On-Site News

IME West is hosting a never-before-seen dive into advanced manufacturing with its featured News and Brews Studio. Designed as a unique in-person news broadcast encompassing the...

Case Study: Materials that Transform Wound Healing

Chronic wounds afflict millions of people. If not treated adequately, they can lead to severe complications, including amputation of limbs. Denver-based has Vaporox developed a medical...

The Impact of Digitalization and Market Intelligence on Supply Chain Stability

Over the past several years, manufacturers have grappled with fluctuating availability of electronic components paired with limited foundry capacity. As...