Features

Wearable Device Combines Multiple Sensors

A new device aims to detect acute exacerbations of chronic conditions. The wearable monitoring device contains multiple types of sensors, enabling faster and more accurate detection of exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and chronic conditions like asthma, heart disease and other inflammatory disorders. Read on to learn more about it.

Wearable Ultrasound Tech for Muscle Monitoring

Engineers have developed a wearable ultrasound device that can provide long-term, wireless monitoring of muscle activity with potential applications in healthcare and human-machine interfaces. Designed to stick to the skin with a layer of adhesive and powered by a battery, the device enables high-resolution tracking of muscle function without invasive procedures. Read on to learn more.

E-Tattoo Reads Brainwaves

A conductive ink can be printed directly on the surface of a patient’s head and measure their brainwaves. These e-tattoos serve as the sensors for electroencephalography (EEG), a medical test that measures the brain’s electrical activity. EEG can help diagnose and monitor brain tumors, sleep disorders and other brain issues. Read on to learn more.

Optical Biosensor Detects Monkeypox Virus

Researchers have developed an optical biosensor that can rapidly detect monkeypox, the virus that causes mpox. The technology could allow clinicians to diagnose the disease at the point of care rather than wait for lab results. Read on to learn more.

Sensitive Ceramics for Robotics, Prosthetics

Researchers are developing soft sensor materials based on ceramics. Such sensors can feel temperature, strain, pressure, or humidity, for instance, which makes them interesting for use in medicine, but also in the field of soft robotics. Read on to learn more.

From the Editor - The 2024 Product of the Year

In December, we asked Medical Design Briefs readers to cast their ballot to choose from our eight Products of the Month the technology they felt was the most significant new introduction to the design engineering community in 2024. Here is the winner of the 2024 Medical Design Briefs’ Readers’ Choice Product of the Year. Read on to learn more.

Biomimetic Speaking Valve Increases Safety of Tracheostomized Patients

A research team from the University of Freiburg and the Medical Center – University of Freiburg has developed a novel biomimetic speaking valve technology that could significantly increase the safety of tracheostomized patients. Read on to learn more.

Silicones A Skin-Friendly Gamma-Sterilizable Pressure-Sensitive Adhesive

Traditionally, silicone PSAs, which are the most skin-friendly adhesives for attaching medical devices to the skin, could only be sterilized with EtO. However, a new silicone PSA is capable of enduring sterilizing doses of gamma radiation. This recent advancement enables numerous new applications for silicone PSAs in medical devices that were previously unattainable. Read on to learn more.

Landmark FDA Clearance May Accelerate Compelling Digital Therapeutics

Read on to learn more about a significant step forward in the rapidly evolving field of digital therapeutics (DTx).

2025 Trends in Healthcare: Bridging Technology, Personalization, and Accessibility

The healthcare landscape in 2025 will be reshaped by advancements in data analytics, AI, IoT, and wearable technologies, which together promise predictive, personalized, and accessible care. Read on to learn more about Editor and Director of Medical Content Sherrie Trigg's, as well as other industry professionals', thoughts on the matter.

Medical Podcasts

Listen to MDB's medical podcasts, including one on the rise of advanced sensor technologies; one on the advancements that allow for continuous, real-time data collection from within the human body; one on the exploration of devices from fitness trackers to smartwatches; and one on the transformative role of microfabrication and MEMS technology in advancing sensor integration for medical devices. Listen now!

Product of the Month

See the product of the month, LEMO's expanded current range of high-voltage connectors that offer 5 kV on 26 or 34 contacts within a compact Ø 18 mm design.

New Products and Services

See the new products and services, including an auto-zero valve from Superior Sensor Technology; binder's angled panel-mount connectors; AMADA WELD TECH's integration of blue laser technology into its suite of micro welding technologies; maxon's high-efficiency joint drive; and more.

Product Focus: Power Supplies

See where the product focus is this month: power supplies, including XP Power's family of single-output, PCB-mounting AC-DC power modules; a 3W medical DC-DC converter in a compact DIP case available from Micropower Direct; Advanced Energy Industries' 4 KJ capacitor charging unit with an integrated configurable 800 W AC-DC power supply designed to power medical laser applications; and more.

Efficient Wearable Energy Harvester

Researchers have developed a three-dimensional stretchable piezoelectric energy harvester that can harvest electrical energy using body movements. The device is to be used as a wearable energy harvester as it can be attached to the skin or clothes. Read on to learn more.

Sensors Charge Biological Cells

A team has developed new biosensors with which the ratio of NADPH to NADP+ can be measured in living cells in real time for the first time. The team’s observations provide new insights into the evolution of the most important protective function of cells, cellular detoxification. Read on to learn more.

Gel-Based Nanogenerators for Wearables

Researchers have developed a gel polymer-based triboelectric nanogenerator that generates electrical signals from body movement to power electronics like LEDs and functions as a self-powered touch panel for user identification. The device can stretch up to 375 percent of its original size and withstand rigorous mechanical deformations, making it suitable for wearable applications. Read on to learn more.

3D Printing Shape-Changing Materials

Researchers have helped create a new 3D printing approach for shape-changing materials that are likened to muscles, opening the door for improved applications in robotics as well as biomedical and energy devices. Read on to learn more.

From the Editor - AI Tops ECRI’s 2025 Health Tech Hazards List

ECRI’s top 10 health technology hazards for 2025, in rank order, are... Read on to find out who made the list.

Adhesive Bonding of Plastics in Medical Devices, Part 2: Material Properties of Plastics

Part 1 of this article, which appeared in the December 2024 issue, focused on the factors and requirements for selecting adhesives for use in medical devices. Part 2 delves more into the material properties of plastics for medical device assembly.

Biosensors and Wearables for Health Insights

In a recent Medical Design Briefs podcast, Rob Batchelor, head of biosensors at Australia-based Nutromics, joined us to talk about continuous monitoring and biosensors for health insights. This article presents excerpts from that podcast.

MD&M West Show Preview

Previously known as Informa Markets Engineering (IME) West, hosting five co-located shows — MD&M West, ATX West, D&M West, Plastec West, and WestPack — these related industry sectors are now merging into a single unified show: MD&M West. The focus of the conference and trade show is not changing. Read on to learn more.

Inside the OEM: Johnson & Johnson MedTech Maintaining Its Edge

Johnson & Johnson continues to advance its leadership in medtech and innovative medicine by focusing on high-growth, high-innovation markets. Recent strategic acquisitions have strengthened its cardiovascular portfolio, contributing to significant sales growth. Read on to learn more about the company, which is well positioned for sustained growth in 2025 and beyond.

Product of the Month

See the product of the month: Biointeractions' surface-active therapeutic coating for medical devices, AstutePlus®. It's an advanced antithrombogenic designed specifically to stop fibrin sheath formation as well as thrombus formation in blood-contacting devices. Read on to learn more.

New Products and Services

See the new products and services, including an IEC connector from Schurter; Raltron's series of electromagnetic buzzers; Midwest Interventional Systems' extrusion ordering system; SGS' expanded spray drug-delivery testing capabilities; Prima Power's latest addition to its 2D laser technology portfolio; ANCA's peel grinding platform designed to reduce cycle time; and more.

Product Focus: Motors and Motion Control

See where the product focus is: motors and motion control, including a high-performance linear DC motordriven stage by Moticont; Novotechnik's 44-turn magnetic encoder with IO-Link output interface; a series of motorized elevator stages released by Optimal Engineering Systems; and PI Americas' several new families of motorized linear and rotary stages.

Nanofiber Patch for Psoriasis

Researchers have developed a patch for easier and more effective treatment of psoriasis. The method may also be used in treatment of other inflammatory skin diseases. The dry patch contains active ingredients for treatment of psoriasis reduces the frequency of use to once a day. Read on to learn more.

Bedside Blood Test

A new handheld, sound-based diagnostic system can deliver precise results in an hour with a mere finger prick of blood. The researchers used tiny particles they call functional negative acoustic contrast particles (fNACPs) and a custom-built, handheld instrument or acoustic pipette that delivers sound waves to the blood samples inside. Read on to learn more.

DNA Origami Sensor

A team has developed a general, modular strategy for designing sensors that can be easily adapted to various target molecules and concentration ranges. The new modular sensor has the potential to significantly accelerate the development of new diagnostic tools for research. Read on to learn more.