Medical Electronics

Researchers at Tufts University in Massachusetts have used threads, stitching and embroidery to construct medical sensors for use on skin and inside animals. Central to the technology are functionalised threads – coated to make pH sensing electrodes, or to measure strain, for example. The aim has been to develop a tool kit of bio-compatible materials that can be mixed and matched ...

Excelsys has developed a fan-less modular 600W power supply 215 x 115 x 40mm (8.5 x 4.5inch x 1U). Efficiency of up to 94% contributes to simplified cooling needs. “Convection cooling results in higher system reliability, with typically 25% longer lifetime than competitors,” claimed the firm. Called CoolX600, it can be populated with up to four output modules (branded ‘CoolMods’), providing ...

Cambridge Medical Robotics is developing a medical robotics system which it claims can make surgery less invasive and open the way for universal keyhole techniques. The medical device firm started first clinical cadaveric trials last month and has now secured $20.3m venture funding to help commercialise its medical robotics technology. It also plans a recruitment programme. Investor, ABB, a global robotics ...

Portable medical monitors and terminals will move more healthcare to the patient’s home and this is creating special requirements for designing the power systems which allow safe and reliable operation, writes Tony Armstrong Portable and wireless medical instruments rely on low power operation, however, unlike many other low power applications, these types of medical products typically have much higher standards ...

A Danish company has created an internet connected hearing aid. The designer, Oticon says it will allow the hearing aid to communicate directly with connected devices such as door bells, smoke detectors and baby alarms. Called Opn, the hearing aid is compatible with the web-based service IFTTT (If This Then That) for communicating with other IoT devices. Søren Nielsen, president ...

Cambridge CMOS Sensors (CCMOSS), a specialist in MEMS (micro electromechanical systems) for gas sensing and infrared applications, has been bought by Austrian semiconductor manufacturer ams. The semiconductor company wants to add to its technology for industrial and medical sensors for detecting gases like CO, NOx, and VOCs. The Cambridge firm manufactures its MEMS structures on CMOS wafers allowing the creation ...

A clinical mobile device that connects hospital staff to a smartphone-like terminal to carry out admissions, specimen collection and medication administration has been developed by Honeywell. The company believes it will create the reality of the IoT “connected clinician” in our hospitals. Sameer Agrawal, director, product marketing, Honeywell Sensing and Productivity Solutions, writes: “We see increased adoption of mobile devices ...

In what looks like a breakthrough in wearable technology Fraunhofer ISC in Germany has developed a transparent sensor material which can be printed onto textiles. The material will be presented on IDTechEX Europe at booth F16 in the Estrel Berlin on 27 and 28 April 2016. The new sensor technology will be incorporated into a prototype shirt. This so-called MONI ...

Leti, the French semiconductor tech centre, is working with ARaymondlife, a device manufacturer for the IVD industry, to develop medical devices, especially in the field of microfluidic cartridge analysis. The aim is to create portable bio-med systems which can reduced the cost of sample analysis. Leti CEO Marie Semeria, writes: “This partnership combines our competencies in ways that will significantly ...

Motor control algorithm which detects the rotor position at standstill, with different pulse width modulation control allows the motor to be controlled independently of the applied mechanical load, writes Richard Wilson Miniature drills are used in medical applications but they have very particular requirements. They must not produce carbon dust or electrical sparks. But more importantly they need to be ...