Technology
Failure Isn’t an Option
In today’s world of manufacturing, companies are looking for less expensive ways to make products smaller and faster. Although this is the case for OEMs that integrate printed circuit boards (PCBs) into their products, a required standard of quality keeps medical device OEMs...
Neurostimulation System Architecture
 The implantable neurostimulation system of today consists of four general subsystems--the pulse generator, the lead and electrode system, the physician programmer, and the patient controller (see Figure 3 in "Neurostimulation in the New Decade"). Pulse generator....
Neurostimulation in the New Decade
Disruptive innovation has defined the history of the medical device industry. Novel devices and procedures have replaced established medical practices in various medical markets for decades. For example, the first artificial knees and hips were developed in the 1930s, the first...
Special Delivery from Remote-Controlled Nanocarriers
  R&D DIGEST     PDT drugs fluoresce red in UV light as a magnet (left) attracts the nanocarriers. Work has been done on developing drug-filled nanocarriers via a magnetic field, but a more concentrated approach to targeting tumors, which could...
Using Wireless Technology Pays Off
  NEWS TRENDS     Technology in hospitals often needs to provide immediate contact among doctors, nurses, and other clinicians. Communicating critical alarms can literally be a life-or-death situation. One hospital in Michigan has implemented a relatively new...
Implantable Wireless Monitor Targets Radiation Treatment
R&D DIGEST Babak Ziaie displays the wireless transponder developed at Purdue. Via a wireless transponder, doctors may be able to monitor the exact amount of radiation received by a tumor. “Right now there's no way you actually know what [dosage] the tumor is...
Methanol-Powered Muscles Move Artificial Limbs
R&D Digest: The monthly review of new technologies and medical device innovations. Fuel cells created by the team at the University of Texas at Dallas's NanoTech Institute could rival natural human muscles in energy efficiency and power. High-energy-density fuels...
A New Spin on Magnetic Sensors for Medical Devices
NANOTECHNOLOGY Quantum mechanics states that electrons have two stable spins—up and down. With the advent of nanoscale fabrication methods, device companies are harnessing this knowledge to create devices. The technology, known as spintronics, has already been used to...
Anatomy of R&D: Incorporating Load-Cell Sensors into fMRI
SENSORS For Northwestern's setup, a wooden frame surrounds the subject on the MRI table. The load-cell sensor is mounted to the wood frame. The interface is bound to the fiberglass cast on the subject's forearm, wrist, and fingers. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a...
MD&DI Launches Industry Blog
NewsTrends Want to know the real scoop on the industry? MD&DI has launched Device Talk, a blog about and for the medical device industry. This insightful forum is designed to bring the industry an analysis of breaking news and informed commentary on the hottest industry...