Mechatronic Integration for Precision Medical Device Linear Motion

See how ground ball screws are becoming a preferred choice for precise linear motion.

New Approach to Fastener Design Prevents Loosening in Medical Devices

Even the latest medical and biomedical innovations, from imaging equipment to sensors, require fasteners that never fail.

Digital Manufacturing Helps Revolutionize Surgical Stapler

Modern science has allowed surgeons to fix the human body amazingly fast yet leave behind only small traces where repairs were performed. One of the more commonly used methods to...

Orthopedics: Springs Provide Precision, Cleanability

When engineers develop orthopedic surgical devices, they must often think beyond the design of the device, and find a way to make its installation easier, safer, and more accurate....

Bone-Repair Technology Advances Toward Clinical Trial

Orthopedic device company OrthoMend Research Inc. (Philadelphia, PA) acquired the rights from Temple University (Philadelphia, PA) to commercialize an innovative bone-repairing...

Fixating on Innovation: A Revolution in Spinal Fusion Surgery

When a person suffers from degenerative disc disease, spine trauma, or cancer of the spine, the result is decreased stability that can produce pain — often severe — during...

Biodegradable Polymer Is Stronger and Longer Lasting

Polylactic acid, or PLA, is a biodegradable polymer commonly used to make a variety of products, from disposable cups to medical implants to drug-delivery systems. A team of Brown...

Medical Device Outsourcing: Intellectual Property Considerations

Outsourcing can save costs and provide other commercial benefits. With outsourcing efforts related to medical devices, it is important to understand some aspects of U.S....

Safer Surgery Using Intelligent Tools

Pro-Dex Inc., Irvine, CA, is a developer and manufacturer of powered rotary drive surgical and dental instruments. The company’s newest design is a cutting-edge, powered screwdriver that features...

Motor Selection for Electronic Pipetting

The pipette is a basic fluid control tool for transferring tiny amounts of liquids. Electronic or motorized pipettes are an ergonomic alternative to manual pipettes and an efficient way to increase...

Materials for a Modern World: How Trends Are Driving Advances in Thermoplastic Materials Science

The medical device market is undergoing an unprecedented period of growth due to a dramatic global population boom, an expanding middle class,...

Using Molded Foam Makes Assembly a Snap

Today, medical devices are made using a variety of plastic materials and manufacturing processes. Advances in plastic processing make it possible to obtain virtually any shape, form, or function. In...

Disc Replacement Can Be a Superior Alternative to Cervical Spinal Fusion

Cervical spine fusions have been performed since the 1950s and have achieved good, reproducible clinical results. Anterior cervical fusion is a current standard of care...

Automating a Bottling Plant for Reaction Vessels

Tasked with the design and build of a fully automated in vitro diagnostics (IVD) bottling plant, an engineering firm specializing in the development of analytical medical equipment found...

Self-Locking Fastener Resists Vibration, Heat

Today, engineers are successfully attacking problems from vibrational loosening to joint fatigue with a self-locking fastener called Spiralock, whose effectiveness has been validated in published...

UC Berkeley Uses 3D Printing to Speed Development of Lifesaving Medical Device

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, but evaluating it carries risks of its own. Though often beneficial, X-ray angiography and CT...

Mechanical Components for Demanding Applications

Advanced medical device designs are evolving rapidly and demand higher standards for medical equipment reliability. Applying linear motion components to these medical applications yields the...