MEDICAL PRODUCTS

Medical Design & Manufacturing West 2003 will take place February 19-21 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, CA (www.devicelink.com/expo/west03/). Pavilions include Contract Manufacturers; Assembly, Precision Manufacturing & CNC Equipment; Packaging, Sterilization & Cleanroom Equipment; Raw Materials & Suppliers; Plastics/Disposables; Medical Electronics; and IVD Suppliers. Specialty pavilions include AutomationTech; CAD/CAM/PDM; MEDPAK Medical Packaging; Small Motors & Motion Control; and PrecisionTec CNC, EDM & other precision equipment. The show is co-located with WestPack, Pacific Design & Manufacturing and Electronics West tradeshows. Come visit Designfax at Booth 5198. Here are some previews of other companies displaying their wares at the show:

Reversing actuator, Booth 2988
The Ball Reverser actuator provides reciprocating motion for stroke lengths from 0.44- to 148.0-in. or more. Five standard sizes accommodate most load sizes. Designed to be more wear resistant and meet high load capacity requirements, two slot balls move relative to a fixed ball as they follow the turnaround curve, providing optimum deceleration and acceleration in a reversing sequence. Norco Inc, Ridgefield, CT.   www.rsleads.com/301df-102

Custom motion control, Booth 5145
This custom motion control manufacturer specializes in gear-related products and assemblies. Products include speed reducers, gearboxes, precision gears, pinions, worm/worm wheels, etc. Electromechanical devices and systems as well as optical assemblies are available for a diverse range of medical applications. They also offer extensive metallurgical and secondary processing knowledge. Precipart Corp, Farmingdale, NY.   www.rsleads.com/301df-103

Thin foams, Booth 3889
Relying on advanced extrusion, cross-linking and foaming processes, Volara HPT thin closed-cell irradiated polyolefin foams achieve tight gauge and density control over 0.012- to 0.075-in. thicknesses. Roll lengths of 2500 ft can be produced without gauge banding. Density ranges from 8 to 20 lbs/ft3. They are a suitable alternative to higher-cost acrylic and urethane foams. Voltek, Div of Sekisui, Lawrence, MA.   www.rsleads.com/301df-104

Machine mounts, Booth 3183
Designed for hygienic environments, these stainless steel machine mounts have an FDA-approved rubber sole that contains no voids and is vulcanized to the housing of the mount for a completely hygienic seal. Composed of ANSI 304 stainless steel, the mounts feature a full range of motion from a 10-degree pivot to correct for uneven floors. The mounts are also offered in 316 stainless steel. Sunnex Inc, Natick, MA.   www.rsleads.com/301df-105

Fine steel tubing, Booth 5385
Suited for instrumentation, hypodermic and general service application, this fine-sized stainless steel tubing can be precision cut to length. Custom fabricated stainless steel components can be bent, coiled, swaged, welded or machined to suit various applications. The company has an extensive inventory of tubing, hollow bar, flanges, bar stock, pipe, fittings and custom shaped tubing. Eagle Stainless Tube Corp, Franklin, MA.   www.rsleads.com/301df-106

Diaphragm pumps, Booth 5366
The 117/2117 series oil-less diaphragm pump is available in both AC and DC versions. Many stroke and motor options are offered in American and European voltages. Open flow rates for DC units rate up to 1.40 cfm at minimum continuous pressure of 35 psig and 1.65 cfm at 30 psig for AC units. Maximum vacuums are 22.9 Hg for single head versions and higher vacuums for dual head configurations. Thomas Industries Inc, Sheboygan, WI.   www.rsleads.com/301df-107

Positioning, Booth 5314
Combining the ASR1000 rotary stage with the ALS25000 linear stage provides a high-throughput cylindrical laser cutting system for medical and other applications requiring high accuracy and speed with synchronized linear and rotary positioning and laser firing. The Automation3200 software-based motion, vision and I/O system can accommodate up to 32 axes of synchronized motion through one interface. Aerotech Inc, Pittsburgh, PA.   www.rsleads.com/301df-108

Flow sensor, Booth 5282
Using semi-circular send and receive PZT crystals within a compact circular stainless steel housing, the Doppler Fluid Flow Sensor eliminates the need for separate send and receive sensors. The simple, sensitive, low-cost design optimizes ¼-wave and shear wave mode change principles to minimize crosstalk. Preliminary tests indicate –65 dB crosstalk. Morgan Electro Ceramics, Bedford, OH.   www.rsleads.com/301df-109

Ceramics, Booth 5076
This company makes extra-hard precision components from zirconia TZP and high-purity alumina ceramics, advanced ceramics, ruby and sapphire. Materials are inert, biocompatible and very resistant to wear, heat, chemical acids, etc. Parts are custom-designed in close collaboration with customers, and ceramic parts are made in-house for guaranteed quality. Maret SA, Bole, Switzerland.   www.rsleads.com/301df-110

Plastic welding, Booth 5044
This company offers three systems that use a diode laser for welding plastics. The Novolas C system allows versatile weld pattern programming for weld line widths as small as 600 mm. Novolas S provides lines or circle patterns simultaneously, while Novolas M offers a combination of diode laser, precision mask and fully automated mask alignment system to generate micro welding seams with freely definable geometries. Leister Technologies LLC, Itasca, IL.   www.rsleads.com/301df-111

Flexible steel tubing, Booth 3885
The Actone cable tube is stainless steel and consists of multifilar wires. The smallest OD is 0.012 in. and a variety of sizes is available. Features include high torque transmission, low elongation, straightened kink resistance and tube structure. Flexibility is in between conventional stainless steel hypo tube and stainless steel coil. Applications include guidewires, endoscope control cable and PTCA catheter shafting. Asahi Intecc Co Ltd, Newport Beach, CA.   www.rsleads.com/301df-112

Stamping services, Booth 3870
This company’s EPS (efficient production strategy) approach maintains profitability. In this example, the manufacturing of surgical scissors eliminated heat-treating by substituting a work-hardened blade-forming process. Instead of being fabricated from drawn tubing, the shaft of the scissors is stamped and rolled into a tube without loss of functionality, resulting in tenfold cost reduction. Micro Stamping Corp, Somerset, NJ.   www.rsleads.com/301df-113

Precision liquid handling, Booth 4972
This company specializes in the design and manufacture of products for manual, semi-automated and robotic precision fluid measuring. Products include syringes and needles, valves and fittings, liquid handling robotics, HPLC columns, pipettes, diluters and dispensers, electrochemical sensors and various OEM components. Hamilton Co, Reno, NV.   www.rsleads.com/301df-114

Custom thermoplastics, Booth 5545
Colorcomp pre-colored resins and Thermocomp glass- and carbon-reinforced compounds are suitable for medical devices, such as trocars, tissue retractors and skin staplers to add strength, stability, performance, comfort and aesthetic value. Customizable for special material requirements, particularly biocompatibility, small material quantities can improve mechanical and thermal properties over traditional materials. LNP Engineering Plastics, Exton, PA.   www.rsleads.com/301df-115

Mechanical testing, Booth 2981
Designed to test tensile, compression and flexural properties of rubber, plastic, wire, metals and fasteners, the 3300 series single column testing systems includes a load frame with integrated control electronics, a load cell, surface mount circuitry and Series IX materials testing software. Automatic recognition and calibration of load and strain transducers meet or exceed ASTM, EN, BS, ISO and JIS testing standards. Instron, Canton, MA.   www.rsleads.com/301df-116

Heat shrink tubing, Booth 4845
Available in over 350 stock sizes, ranging from 0.008- to 1.000-in. dia., this tubing shrinks fast at low temperatures of 185° to 300°F (compared to conventional 300° to 650°F temperatures). Twenty new sizes of very small tubing (0.008- to 0.20-in.) are suitable for minimally invasive and difficult anatomical (such as cerebral) surgery. Wall thickness range from 0.0002- to 0.004-in., and various colors are available. Advanced Polymers Inc, Salem, NH.   www.rsleads.com/301df-117

Nanocomposite nylons, Booth 4945
Designed for advanced catheter applications, these cross-linked nanocomposite nylon 12 formulations have enhanced rigidity properties. Additives can further enhance properties overall or in selected areas. Reduced loadings minimize elongation and attrition of other properties; 5% addition of nano-clay in nylon 12 can increase flexural modulus over 50% while maintaining an elongation of 150%. Foster Corp, Dayville, CT.   www.rsleads.com/301df-118

Metal injection molding, Booth 5488
This company features its laproscopic instruments for medical applications created through MIM technology for increased reliability and durability. A variety of metals includes 17-4PH, 304L and 216L stainless steels. Components require virtually no additional machining and several components can be molded together in one unit. Multiple-cavity molding further reduces costs. Morgan Advanced Ceramics, New Bedford, MA.   www.rsleads.com/301df-119

Scroll air compressor, Booth 5352
The tiny P18H36 high-pressure scroll air compressor delivers 12 cfm at 130 psig from a compact package. The compressor uses a pancake-type brushless DC motor that is only 144 mm long, resulting in an overall size of 9 x 9.4 x 12.3 in. Liquid cooling eliminates the need for an aftercooler, saving space while allowing a temperature rise of just 125°F. Air Squared Inc, Hamilton, OH.   www.rsleads.com/301df-120

Peristaltic pump, Booth 4179
Designed specifically for sample preparation and high-throughput screening, the 400FD/A pump provides an alternative to syringe pumps for dispensing and collecting samples and/or reagents. Advantages of the compact pumps include continuous flow capability and simple valveless plumbing. Tight dimensional tolerances hold accuracy over thousands of hours. Watson-Marlow Bredel Inc, Wilmington, MA.   www.rsleads.com/301df-121

Disconnect couplings, Booth 4405
ChemQuik CQN06 non-spill, quick-disconnect couplings avoid costly and potentially dangerous spills. Critical fluid lines can be repeatedly disconnected with virtually no spillage or air inclusion upon reconnect, even under pressure. A variety of seal material options is offered. Optional intuitive keying and color-coding prevents accidental misconnects. Colder Products Co, St Paul, MN.   www.rsleads.com/301df-122

Copolyester, Booth 3801
Eastar copolyester PETG 6763 was used on this roller bottle to allow greater cell tissue production. Pleats in the sidewall increase surface area, whereas PETG surface treatment promotes cell attachment and proliferation. This material provides greater strength and durability (even in temperatures as low as –45°C) than polystyrene — a main consideration for critical biomedical applications. Eastman Chemical Co, Kingsport, TN.   www.rsleads.com/301df-123

Disposable device manufacturing, Booth 4201
This manufacturer of class II and III disposable medical devices takes customer products from initial design through packaging and sterilization. Standard products include custom kits and trays, as well as components such as check valves, piercing and mixing devices, adapters, connectors, stopcocks, syringes, burettes, IV sets, interventional products and solutions. Burron OEM Division, Bethlehem, PA.   www.rsleads.com/301df-124

Packaging polymer, Booth 5121
XT polymer 375TE acrylic-based multipolymer compound offers a tough, transparent, tamper-evident medical packaging material that will stress-whiten if punctured. The transparent color tint allows easy visual inspection of the seal between the lidding stock and the package. Melt strength, heat resistance and sterlizability are among this material’s features. CYRO Industries, Rockaway, NJ.   www.rsleads.com/301df-125

Diaphragm pump, Booth 3824
The compact, economical Oscillating Diaphragm Pump has no dynamic seals, eliminating leak potential. The 4000+ hr pump sports flow rates up to 350 ml/min, discharge heads to 35 psi, and self-priming capabilities to 36-in. Hg. All wetted materials are FDA-approved and the pump is UL-recognized. Applications include analytical, medical and laboratory instruments, and chillers. Gorman-Rupp Industries, Bellville, OH.   www.rsleads.com/301df-126

Medical materials, Booth 5173
Suited for biomechanical supports and skin care products, Poron medical urethanes offer flexibility, collapse resistance, shock absorption, and meet human skin irritation ratings. Polyolefin foams are soft, flexible and lightweight for medical tapes, custom-shaped orthotics, prosthetic padding and disposable medical devices. Other materials include nonwovens, BISCO silicones, and elastomers. Rogers Corp, Rogers, CT.   www.rsleads.com/301df-127

Modular connectors, Booth #4428
This company offers a full line of cost effective, high reliability circular plastic connectors for critical medical applications; from electronic catheters, to patient monitors, to wearable therapeutic devices. The D series is available in two shell sizes, with from 3 to 25 signal contacts, and in combinations of signal & power or coaxial/RF contacts. A simple push button latch eliminates field problems and equipment down-time associated with more complicated latching systems. Hypertronics Corp, Hudson, MA.   www.rsleads.com/301df-750