Design/​Engineering

Cardiology

What miniaturized device introduced in less than 10 years ago led to significant advancements in cardiac rhythm management technology?

Part 2: Designing Piezo Handpieces for Ultrasonic Surgery

Part 1 of this article , which ran in March 2023, looked at the general structure, design variants, and system design of ultrasonic medical handpieces. Part 2 now reviews driver design, special applications, drive electronics, and failure mechanisms.

From the Editor - Study: The Post-COVID Impact of 3D Printing and Generative Design

As the COVID pandemic began to drive rapid changes in healthcare, innovative manufacturers and makers around the world began using 3D printing and generative design to fill a dire need for masks, swabs, ventilator components, and other medical equipment. Read on to learn more thoughts from Sherrie Trigg, Editor and Director of Medical Content.

Technology

In March of 1973, the Six-Million Dollar Man TV series introduced the world to the possibility of a bionic man. What device made bionics a reality 20 years later?

Bioengineering the Body to Make its Own Medicine

Delivering genetic material tagged with a cellular “ZIP code” prompted cells to secrete proteins or drugs into the bloodstream that successfully treated psoriasis and cancer in mouse models....

DNA Particles That Mimic Viruses Hold Promise as Vaccines

Researchers have created a vaccine that can induce a strong antibody response against SARS-CoV-2. The vaccine, which has been tested in mice, consists of a DNA scaffold that carries...

Low-Cost Device Makes Cell Therapy Safer

A tiny device could be used to improve the safety and effectiveness of cell therapy treatments for patients suffering from spinal cord injuries.

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.

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.

Breaking Barriers: Women Engineers Transforming the Landscape of Medical Device Innovation

Women are making significant contributions in the field of medical device engineering, playing key roles in innovation, research, development, and leadership. The Women in Engineering: Rising Star Awards program will celebrate and recognize women engineers who are enhancing the engineering profession through contributions to the industry and society in six categories: Aerospace/Defense, Automotive/Transportation, Electronics, Manufacturing, Medical, and Sustainability.

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.

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.

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?

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...

Design Alley: An Alternative to PTFE

SABIC will feature new and existing material solutions for potential use in critical medical devices through the company’s exhibition (booth #3287) and in two presentations at MD&M West. On...

MD&M West Show Preview

MD&M West features products and insights across medical specialties such as medical devices, digital health, hospital equipment and supplies, cardiovascular solutions, pharmaceuticals, and much more. In her keynote, Jennifer Samproni will share her vision for the growing role that human machine interfaces (HMI) will play in the future of medical device innovation.

Technology

It’s Super Bowl time! What somewhat controversial technology has been embraced by the NFL to aid players in recovery from injuries?

Moving the Needle on Monitoring Skin Cancer

A research team has developed a new approach that integrates a minimally invasive, painless microneedle platform capable of absorbing the cell-surrounding, biomarker-containing fluid from deeper layers of the skin with an ultra-sensitive, single-molecule detection method (Simoa) that detects often rare, yet relevant biomarkers with higher sensitivity than conventional methods.

A New Minimally Invasive Approach to Spinal Cord Injury

Dr. Johannes Dapprich, NeuroPair’s CEO and founder, discusses their revolutionary approach to spinal cord repair that won the Grand Prize in the 2023 Create the Future Design Contest.

Medtronic's PulseSelect First PFA Technology to Receive FDA Approval

Medtronic plc (NYSE: MDT), a global leader in healthcare technology, today announced that the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the PulseSelect...

Body Temperature Softens Needle on Insertion

Researchers have developed an intravenous (IV) needle that softens upon insertion, minimizing risk of damage to blood vessels and tissues. The Phase-Convertible, Adapting and non-REusable...

Human Factors in Drug Delivery

Human factors engineering helps prevent errors and contributes to the successful use of the device.

Surgery

What neurosurgery technique was inspired by a wine bottle opener?

Designing Medical Devices That Minimize Healthcare Costs

Experienced design teams that have the expertise in the regulatory aspect of device design during the R&D process (involving UX/UI design, human factors engineering, user research, prototyping) will be coveted, especially with the growth that is occurring in the home medical equipment market.

From Ventilators to Surgical Robotics: Bearing Design Considerations for Medical Devices

Selecting suitable bearings for medical devices is crucial in ensuring their reliability and performance. Factors such as material choice, lubrication, precision and noise levels, and protection from contamination should be carefully considered to meet the demanding requirements of the healthcare industry.

MDR: Regulating Devices That Don’t Have an Intended Medical Purpose

Neither the MDR nor Annex XVI are new. Nevertheless, the entry into force of the common specifications now presents a new situation for manufacturers of devices without an intended medical purpose.

Powerful Sensors for the Eye

An implantable sensor detects direct dynamic pressure in the eye and transmits high-fidelity data.

Philips Launches New AI-Enabled Innovations at RSNA23

Royal Philips, a global leader in health technology, has launched new innovations at RSNA23 that are designed to put patients and healthcare providers center stage. Radiologists are...

Surgery

What device that was designed to assist in orthopedic procedures was the first of its kind?