Wire and cable assemblies for medical device design at MD&M West

Medical device engineers constantly need to design machines and components that are smaller, portable and reliable. It’s up to interconnect manufacturers such as Molex Inc., Lisle, Ill., to meet those demands. This is why it’s not surprising that several new product releases from Molex are being showcased at MD&M West, February 11 – 13, Anaheim, Calif., Booth 1746, including customized interconnects, silicone molded cables, micro-miniature solutions, optical fiber and capillary tubing and electromagnetic interference (EMI) absorption technology.

“When looking to get the best performance out of innovative, new medical devices, more and more design engineers are realizing the importance of the underlying electronic interconnects and associated technologies,” said Anthony Kalaijakis, strategic medical market manager, Molex.

Silicone molded-cables

Affinity Medical, a Molex company, has introduced MediSpec Silicone cable overmolding that is durable and flexible, and protects the cable core from harsh environments encountered during use and sterilization. Reusable and ergonomic MediSpec silicone overmolded cable and interconnect assemblies deliver high reliability and performance in medical applications, including endoscopy, ophthalmic lasers, surgical power tools and other operating room instruments.  Creating a moisture-proof chemical and mechanical bond between the cable jacket, connector and flex relief, silicone overmolding provides a stronger bond to metal connector components than thermoplastic resins. They incorporate both extruded and tubed-on silicone.

In addition, the cables are protected against moisture ingress because of the low temperature, low pressure characteristics of their custom liquid injection silicone molding.

MediSpec products are designed, tested and validated to withstand multiple sterilization cycles by autoclave, as well as by proprietary Steris and Sterrad processes.  All materials meet US FDA and global biocompatibility and cytotoxicity requirements.

Other products include custom cables for electrophysiology, ECG, dental, Holter and ambulatory monitoring, ventricular assist devices, disposable and reusable catheter cables and invasive blood pressure cables in single channel, multi-channel bifurcated (two-channel) and trifurcated (three-channel).

MediSpec will also show its Hybrid Circular MT Cable and Receptacle System, custom bulkhead receptacles and custom device-to-device interface cables. This integrated optical and electrical solution reduces the number of connectors required in medical equipment and devices.

Specialty wire
Temp-Flex, a precision manufacturer of specialty micro-miniature wire, cable, ribbon and continuous coils that use biomedical coating and medical grade base metals, will highlight its products for implantable and minimally invasive applications where extreme conditions and harsh environments are typical.  The company can extrude a 0.3 mil (0.0003 in.) wall of pin hole free biomedical coating over wires finer than a human hair and its capabilities include cut, strip, twist and tin dip and micro-coaxial cable prep.

Interconnect and assemblies
MediSpec will also highlight its Molded Interconnect Device/Laser Direct Structuring (MID/LDS) capabilities, which combine the versatility of the two-shot molding process and the speed and precision of LDS capabilities helping medical device designers integrate complex electrical and mechanical features into highly compact applications.

Molex’s low-profile, custom printed circuit assemblies offer tactile silicone membrane graphic overlays, copper flex or polyimide circuitry and micro-board components with LEDs embedded under an embossed window for a wider viewing angle, increased visual brightness, decreased light bleed, improved assembly and easier use of curved surfaces.

Finally, the company will showcase its Micro products, such as its microminiature, stacking, board-to-board connectors; its HOZOX electromagnetic interference absorption tape and sheets; and Polymicro Technologies’ specialty optical fiber and capillary tubing.

Molex Inc.
www.molex.com/medical.html