2024 Product of the Year

Fischer Connectors, Saint-Prex, Switzerland, has released new low-voltage multipole connectors for medical devices. The First Mate Last Break (FMLB) connectors are designed to ensure the permanent ground presence of an electrical system through a longer pin in the plug that “mates first and breaks last” with the system’s receptacle to avoid risky electrical safety conditions. The connectors are available in two sizes (size 104 with a 15 mm diameter plug and size 1031 with a 13 mm diameter plug) and three mixed low-voltage configurations. The connectors and associated cable assemblies are IP68 sealed, resist autoclave sterilization and corrosion (1,000 hours of salt mist, 5% salt solution, 35 °C), and offer long lasting lifecycles with 10,000 mating cycles. Rugged keying and locking systems ensure safe connections at all times.

Advanced silicone molding services are offered by AMETEK EMC, Eden Prairie, MN. Services include both liquid silicone rubber (LSR) molding and silicone transfer molding (STM). These cutting-edge molding processes are utilized to manufacture an extensive range of medical device components, including catheters and tubing, connectors, handles or grips for surgical instruments, respiratory and anesthesia equipment, hearing aids, and more. LSR molding excels in fast, high-volume production, making it ideal for components that are less sensitive to pressure or impact, whereas STR is a slow and gentle process, well-suited for overmolding highly sensitive electronics such as PC boards and delicate cables.

Bosch Sensortec, Reutlingen, Germany, has released two new MEMS accelerometers. The BMA530 and BMA580 devices include built-in features making them easy to design into wearables and hearables. BMA530 tracks activities with its step counter and is especially suitable for wearables. BMA580 targets hearables with voice activity detection. The sensor’s software includes an algorithm that can distinguish between single, double and triple taps. The new accelerometers offer multiple power modes and automatically switch from low- to high-power modes to extend battery life. They offer a flexible set of connectivity options, including an I3C^® interface.

Canon Medical Components, Irvine, CA, has released a chip-on-tip video borescope camera for a diverse range of inspection applications. The SV-2000 delivers full-color, high-resolution video inspections and image capture in tight spaces. The borescope is ideally suited for a variety of inspections including catheters, tooling, machined parts, and assembly process monitoring. Two new control systems provide automatic brightness control, multi-sensor compatibility, and image capture of still images or video clips. The scopes are fully sealed and water resistant for disinfection or use in wet environments.

Linxens, Levallois-Perret, France, is collaborating with Clayens, Genus, France, to develop a unique medical tracker that is part of the material. The NFC tag is integrated directly into the polymer matrix of the medical device. The tag uses a flexible polymer substrate enriched with copper loops and an integrated chip. The encapsulation process ensures resistance to moisture, heat, and chemicals. Critical information, such as expiration date, lot number, and dosage information, is programmed onto the NFC tag immediately after molding.

MMT, Charlotte, NC, has launched a benchtop balloon forming machine for the precise production of structural heart, large platform, and thick wall high-pressure balloons. The BFM-5510 high force balloon forming machine is designed for manufacturing low and non-compliant polymer balloons used in angioplasty, stent placement, and other critical cardiac procedures. The unit utilizes beryllium copper molds to shape precision-extruded balloon tubing, delivering balloons with stringent quality and tight tolerances across an extensive range of sizes and shapes. The machine introduces significant enhancements to meet the demands of larger, thicker, and more complex medical balloon production.

Bally Ribbon Mills (BRM), Bally, PA, offers a broad product line of medical textiles and fabrics ideal for use in cardiovascular, orthopedic, and dental prosthetic applications. Woven seamless tubular materials for stent and knitted grafts are ideal for aortic repair and endoluminal devices. Medical textiles also include woven tapes and webbing in flat fabrics, or straight or bifurcated tubular structures. Monofilament materials used in blood filtration, aspirating devices, and bone marrow transplants are also available. Medical textiles are manufactured in a cleanroom certified to ISO 13485:2016.

Advanced Energy, Denver, CO, has launched a series of high-isolation, low-leakage current AC-DC power supplies that enable medical equipment designers to meet the cardiac floating (CF) requirements of the IEC 60601-1 medical safety standard using off-the-shelf products. The SL NCF150 series delivers maximum output power up to 150 W and offers voltages of 12, 15, 19, 24, and 48 V. An optional 5 V standby and 12 V fan output are also available. All units in the series have a patient leakage current below 10 μA, feature EMI Class B, 2 MOPP isolation, and 5 kV defi brillator pulse withstand capabilities. The power supplies accept a universal input of 85–264 VAC, operate with a full-load effciency greater than 90 percent, and feature protection against overvoltage, overload, overtemperature, and short-circuit conditions as standard.