RS-485 Evaluation Boards
Two evaluation boards for RS-485-based applications, the RS-485EvalBoard1 and RS-485EvalBoard2, are offered by Bourns Inc. as design resources for determining the circuit protection requirements for products that use RS-485 serial device ports. The boards use the manufacturer's high-speed protectors, fast-acting gas-discharge tubes, transient-voltage-suppression diodes, and metal-oxide varistors variously combined to provide different approaches to evaluation. They are suited for evaluating such medical devices as x-ray machines, ECG machines, and defibrillator paddles quickly and easily. The components of each board deliver good surge and transient protection on RS-485 ports in such a way that the entire circuit protection solution fits into a small area of the PCB.
Bourns Inc.
RIVERSIDE, CA
www.bourns.com

Embedded Computer Board
The WADE-8011 embedded computer board is based on Intel's C206 chipset with the Xeon E3-1200-series processor and Core i7/i5/i3 processors. Integrating the Mini-ITX form factor, its design results in a very small server board that provides high performance with good power efficiency. Offered by American Portwell Technology, the board is suitable for medical device applications. Among its chief features is the Intel HD Graphics 3000 graphics engine, which produces clear graphics in high-resolution medical imaging applications. Other features include two DIMM-support dual-channel ECC/UNBs or non-ECC DDR3 SDRAMs up to 32GB; dual display via VGA/DVI/HDMI; two SATA 3.0 connectors up to 6 Gbps, four SATA 2.0 connectors up to 3 Gbps, and RAID 0, 1, 5, 10; one PCIe x16 and one PCIe x1 plus USB 2.0 via an SDVO connector; dual GbEs based on a PCIe x1 high-bandwidth I/O interface; and Intel Active Management Technology 7.0.
American Portwell Technology Inc.
FREMONT, CA
www.portwell.com

Power Strip for Mobile Medical Systems
A power strip is designed for use by medical device OEMs to supply power to mobile medical systems. The PS-410_HGOEMCC power strip is tested to UL 1363A and is designed to supply power to the plug-connected components of movable rack-, table-, or pedestal-mounted medical equipment. It features 120-V 15-A electrical capacity with dual resettable circuit breakers, four hospital-grade receptacles with integral safety covers, and a 10-ft coiled power cord with a molded hospital-grade plug. The power strip also features a switchless design. It can be used with a range of medical equipment, including mobile carts, diagnostic equipment, and IV poles.
Tripp Lite
CHICAGO
www.tripplite.com

Single-Winding Autotransformers
Provided by Foster Transformer Co., a line of 1500-VA autotransformers, or autoformers, uses a single nonisolated winding to step up or step down the available line voltage to match the requirements of the load. Because autotransformers forgo the electrical isolation provided by a multiwinding transformer and transform only a portion of the power, they are smaller, more efficient, and less costly. Providing tighter voltage regulation, they also feature an integral enclosure to facilitate hook-up and can be used to adapt medical equipment manufactured in one country to another country's line voltage. The autotransformers allow North American appliances configured to operate from a 120-V source to be used virtually anywhere in the world. UL and cUL recognized and TÜV certified to EN 60950-1, the systems offer an output rated at 115 V at 1500 VA and input voltage taps of 100, 115, 127, 200, 220, 230, and 240 V at 50/60 Hz. They can also be wired in parallel for increased capacity.
Foster Transformer Co.
CINCINNATI
www.foster-transformer.com

Single-Board Computer for Medical Imaging
Kontron has introduced the 6U VME SBC VM6050, a single-board computer (SBC) that incorporates an Intel Core i7 processor. The SBC features an Intel QM57 controller hub as well as Intel hyperthreading and Turbo Boost technology. It also offers on-board USB flash support and up to eight GByte of soldered ECC memory. Designed for demanding applications, the SBC can be used in medical imaging applications. The SBC's multiprocessing capability and ability to process single-threaded routines can be accelerated by increasing the processor cycle on demand by up to 40%. OEMs can tailor the SBC to suit the individual requirements of new and existing applications.
Kontron
POWAY, CA
www.us.kontron.com

Electronics Engineering and Manufacturing
A company that offers electronics engineering, design and development, and manufacturing services for the medical device industry has expanded its capacity through the acquisition of four new surface-mount technology (SMT) machines. Valtronic Technologies (USA) Inc. has added this equipment in order to increase its throughput and reduce lead times. One machine familiarly known as a high-speed chip shooter has 16 heads and can place as many as 37,500 discrete components per hour. Another SMT unit offers flexibility and the precision necessary for fine-pitch placement of a maximum of 14,000 components per hour. In addition, the company has acquired another reflow oven to provide greater capacity for processing RoHS-compliant parts.
Valtronic Technologies (USA) Inc.
SOLON, OH
www.valtronic.com

Magnetic Reed Switches and Transformers
Standex Electronics offers a range of magnetic reed switches and a selection of custom transformers, planar transformers, and other custom electronic components. These microcomponents allow medical designers to reduce the size of their devices while maintaining desired performance characteristics. While the company's microminiature reed switches are suitable for hearing aids, bone shavers, and other surgical and medical devices, its transformers and electronic components are used in such applications as MRI and high-definition video imaging equipment. Maintaining ISO 9001-registered facilities, the supplier offers in-house molding, rapid prototyping, and design and manufacturing services. In addition, it can wind and assemble all core transformer types.
Standex Electronics
CINCINNATI
www.standexelectronics.com