-
- News
- Books
Featured Books
- pcb007 Magazine
Latest Issues
Current IssueThe Growing Industry
In this issue of PCB007 Magazine, we talk with leading economic experts, advocacy specialists in Washington, D.C., and PCB company leadership to get a well-rounded picture of what’s happening in the industry today. Don’t miss it.
The Sustainability Issue
Sustainability is one of the most widely used terms in business today, especially for electronics and manufacturing but what does it mean to you? We explore the environmental, business, and economic impacts.
The Fabricator’s Guide to IPC APEX EXPO
This issue previews many of the important events taking place at this year's show and highlights some changes and opportunities. So, buckle up. We are counting down to IPC APEX EXPO 2024.
- Articles
- Columns
Search Console
- Links
- Events
||| MENU - pcb007 Magazine
The Fascinating Possibilities of Medical Electronics
February 2, 2016 | Patty Goldman, I-Connect007Estimated reading time: 1 minute
If you remember our September issue on automotive electronics, you probably recall that the applications for electronics in the automotive industry seemed to be exploding with limitless possibilities. Well, after reading up on this month’s topic, I believe medical electronics is doing the same—and then some. I see the medical electronics industry today as overlapping several of the traditional market divisions—computer (from the doctor’s office to you to the hospital to caregivers), communications (think of it as “telehealth”), consumer (it’s for us, right?), industrial equipment and of course medical. And who knows when it will also encompass automotive and milaero? But let’s not forget security, since equipment and wearables are definitely part of the Internet of Things. We don’t even want to think about a surgical laser being hacked, or an implanted pacemaker suddenly being commandeered.
So many sub-segments to medical electronics exist, such as sensors, diagnostics, monitoring technology, medical devices and surgical equipment (think lasers and beyond), and components like batteries and computers. And let’s not forget wearables, implantables and in gestibles, along with the IoT connectivity that brings it all together. We are living in a fantastic age.
I am fascinated by the possibilities of an ingestible capsule that can be directed to exactly the right spot in the body to target diseases and cancers. Laser-assisted surgery just seems to make so much sense as does the ability to visit multiple specialists and get multiple diagnoses without leaving your living room. Could the increased use of sophisticated sensors and monitors in (and outside of) hospitals help alleviate the chronic shortage of nurses?
As an aside, I came across an article in Smithsonian Magazine about Lilianna Zyszkoski who designed the PillMinder, a device to help doctors check that patients are properly taking their medications. This was encouraging to read, because she was in the sixth grade when she began building a working prototype of her invention, teaching herself about components, circuit design and even how to hand-solder in the process (note to New England SMTA chapter: track her down!). Now, at age 15, she has filed a patent with Gatekeeper Innovation for a pill bottle that houses her technology in the “smartcap.”
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the January 2016 issue of The PCB Magazine.
Suggested Items
Hentec/RPS Publishes an Essential Guide to Selective Soldering Processing Tech Paper
04/17/2024 | Hentec Industries/RPS AutomationHentec Industries/RPS Automation, a leading manufacturer of selective soldering, lead tinning and solderability test equipment, announces that it has published a technical paper describing the critical process parameters that need to be optimized to ensure optimal results and guarantee the utmost in end-product quality.
Empowering Electronics Assembly: Introducing ALPHA Innolot MXE Alloy
04/16/2024 | MacDermid Alpha Electronics SolutionsIn the rapidly evolving electronics industry, where innovation drives progress, MacDermid Alpha Electronics Solutions is committed to setting a new standard. Today, we are pleased to introduce ALPHA Innolot MXE, a revolutionary alloy meticulously engineered to address the critical needs of enhanced reliability and performance in modern electronic assemblies.
New Book on Low-temperature Soldering Now Available
04/17/2024 | I-Connect007I-Connect007 is pleased to announce that The Printed Circuit Assembler’s Guide to… Low-temperature Soldering, Vol. 2, by subject matter experts at MacDermid Alpha Electronics Solutions, is now available for download.
Inkjet Solder Mask ‘Has Arrived’
04/10/2024 | Pete Starkey, I-Connect007I was delighted to be invited to attend an interactive webinar entitled “Solder Mask Coating Made Easy with Additive Manufacturing,” hosted by SUSS MicroTec Netherlands in Eindhoven. The webinar was introduced and moderated by André Bodegom, managing director at Adeon Technologies, and the speakers were Mariana Van Dam, senior product manager PCB imaging solutions at AGFA in Belgium; Ashley Steers, sales manager at Electra Polymers in the UK; and Dr. Luca Gautero, product manager at SUSS MicroTec Netherlands.
TE Connectivity Orders Hentec Industries/RPS Automation Pulsar Solderability Testing System
04/09/2024 | Hentec Industries/RPS AutomationHentec Industries/RPS Automation, a leading manufacturer of selective soldering, lead tinning and solderability test equipment, is pleased to announce that TE Connectivity has finalized the purchase of a Pulsar solderability testing system.