Medical Electronics

At Stanford University, researchers have found a way to record the activity of a single neuron without burrowing into the brain – of a rat in this case. Developed by Anqi Zhang and colleagues, the key part is a micro-probe that can be threaded through blood vessels as small as 100μm in diameter. Initially it is housed in a micro-catheter ...

Stackpole is offering 0.01% 2ppm/°C precision surface-mount resistors in sizes from 0402 to 2512 (1 x 0.5mm to 6.3 x 3.1mm). Part of its RNCF range, these highest spec parts don’t come in the wide value range of lesser RNCF resistors. For example: 0402 types are available between 49.9Ω and 4.99kΩ, then 2512 has the widest span of options,  between ...

Graphene-like foam sensors from Stirlingshire-based Integrated Graphene can detect lactate concentrations for medical and fitness applications, according to research at the University of Bath. The company describes its patented substrate as “a three-dimensional carbon-based nano-material consisting of twisted multi-layers of atoms arranged in a  honeycomb structure”. To form a lactate-detecting electrode, boronic acid was absorbed into the foam, and then ...

The growing market for home medical devices presents new design challenges to ensure that people with no medical training, or who are elderly or disabled, can use equipment properly and safely, by Ron Stull of Bel Fuse. The sophistication of medical technologies used in non-clinical settings ranges from those giving basic assistance to complex equipment for delivering advanced treatment. However ...

Michael Clifford, Roman Trogan and Matthew Hayes say synthetic biology is a reality and explain how a bio-tech startup is working with a seasoned silicon provider to make DNA synthesis universally available. What if we could combine physics with biology and rapidly develop new and affordable, individualised medications on the surface of a silicon chip for the treatment of cancer, ...

Researchers at the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology in Korea have developed injectable bio-electrodes with pre-settable lifetimes. “In recent times, conductible hydrogels have attracted great attention as bioelectrode materials owing to their flexibility, compatibility, and excellent interaction ability,” according to the Institute. “However, the absence of injectability and degradability in conventional conductive hydrogels limits their convenience of use and performance ...

Melexis is encouraging innovation and drawing on the rich pool of local technology graduates at its newly-opened Innovation Lab. Positioned in the Swiss canton of Neuchâtel, the Melexis Innovation Lab is the latest addition to the Belgian company’s site in Bevaix, near Geneva. The lab was opened in December 2022 and is a centre for pre-development of sensor technology products ...

Superior Sensor Technology has introduced pressure sensors for medical ventilators, with over-sampling to expand dynamic range. Called the VN series, they “incorporate an over-sampling technique to effectively eliminate noise outside the band of interest.”, according to the company. The over-sampling “also allows mechanical ventilators to directly use sensor outputs at full speed” and eliminates the need for post-sensor over-sampling. Over-sampling ...

Kyocera AVX has added four and five position options to its 5.6mm tall 9176-700 series of insulation displacement wire-to-PCB connectors. The connectors are soldered to the PCB in a tall state then, to terminate, insulated wires are inserted and the top of the connector is permanently pushed down to its final height. All four or five wires have to be ...

Cosel has announced a pair of 2 x 3inch format medical power supplies: UMA30F and UMA60F, delivering up to 30, or up to 60W, respectively. Both handle inputs across 85 to 264Vac. At high input voltages, efficiency can be as high as 91%. Sizing is ~51 x 76 x 22mm for UMA30F, increasing to ~24mm tall for the ..60F. These ...