-
- News
- Books
Featured Books
- design007 Magazine
Latest Issues
Current IssueSimplification
On the subject of simplification, our expert contributors explain how to design PCBs without making them complex and over-constrained—whatever the level of technology. In addition, we discuss the effect your decisions and tradeoffs have on design complexity.
The Standards of Design
Our expert contributors discuss how PCB designers can utilize standards to save time and money, not to mention frustration. We also spotlight the newly updated version of the IPC Checklist, a handy guide that illustrates which standards cover which topics, from front-end design through assembly.
Rigid-flex: Designing in 3D
In this month’s issue, our expert contributors share their best tips, tricks and techniques for designing rigid-flex circuits. If you’re a rigid board designer considering moving into the 3D world of rigid-flex, this issue is just what the doctor ordered!
- Articles
- Columns
Search Console
- Links
- Events
||| MENU - design007 Magazine
Innovative Circuits Sees Healthy Medical Market
February 10, 2016 | Andy Shaughnessy, PCB Design007Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
Medical electronics is one of the fastest growing segments of our industry. Almost weekly, we hear about another cool lifesaving device or piece of medical monitoring equipment. Alpharetta, Georgia-based Innovative Circuits is at the forefront of fabricating medical PCBs, both flex and rigid. I asked Innovative Business Development Manager Amir Davoud to give us a solid diagnosis of the world of medical PCBs.
Andy Shaughnessy: Amir, why don’t you start off by giving us a quick background on Innovative Circuits?
Amir Davoud: Innovative Circuits is a fabricator of multilayer rigid PCBs, rigid-flex and flex circuits. Since our inception in 1998, we have remained dedicated to pairing comprehensive engineering support with quickturn and small- to mid-level production solutions. Our clients rely on ICI’s extensive knowledge base and highly skilled technicians to assist with their most challenging projects.
Shaughnessy: Innovative Circuits serves a number of medical customers. What sort of devices do these customers create?
Davoud: Our medical clients range from the neurosciences to cardiac care. Most of the projects we work on involve external devices that are either standalone for monitoring or communicate with implants. Our customer’s products include the first FDA-approved heart failure monitoring system, modeling tools for complex brain activity, CPAP machines and flexible endoscopes. A specific area of focus for us is in robotics, specifically prosthetics. We have been involved in a number of projects that developed fully functionally partial and complete prosthesis for amputees.
Shaughnessy: How is fabricating a medical PCB different than building any other high-reliability board?
Davoud: At Innovative, high reliability is a requisite for the majority of our customers. In addition to the medical industry we service others with challenging high end needs. These include defense and aerospace, and needless to say no one wants a failure at 35,000 feet, let alone on the operating table. In order to meet the demands of our clients, we are required to make a full commitment that ensures repeatability and reliability by maintaining operational excellence. This begins with laying a solid foundation where every project receives a detailed review that includes recommendations for manufacturability, design integrity and material requirements. From there, we use highly trained technicians that guide each design through a fully traceable fabrication process. Multiple inspection points are also used during this procedure to ensure design adherence at all stages. Once completed, each board undergoes a thorough final inspection and testing process before being shipped.
Shaughnessy: I know you all do quite a bit of flex. Are the boards for medical devices primarily flex, rigid, or rigid-flex?
Davoud: We see an equal amount of each type, though there has been growth in the flex and rigid-flex segments over the past few years. This can be attributed to the increase in robotics and devices that have repetitive movement requirements. In 2016, I anticipate that we will see flexible circuitry requirements surpass rigid needs for medical devices.
To read this entire article, which appeared in the January 2016 issue of The PCB Design Magazine, click here.
Suggested Items
TT Electronics Opens New State-of-the-Art Power and Control R&D Facility in Manchester UK
11/29/2023 | TT ElectronicsTT Electronics, a global provider of custom power solutions and engineered technologies, has announced that its Power and Control business has officially opened its new state-of-the-art research, development and manufacturing facility.
HyRel Technologies Attains ITAR Registration, Reinforcing Leadership in Robotic Solder Component Tinning
11/27/2023 | HyRelHyRel Technologies, a global provider of quick turn semiconductor modification solutions, announces the achievement of International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) registration.
Future Leaders in Aerospace Prepares the Next Generation for Research Careers
11/20/2023 | MITMIT’s Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AeroAstro) recently hosted the 2023 Future Leaders in Aerospace Symposium, inviting women and underrepresented minorities in aerospace fields to campus for a two-day program.
James Doyle Named CEO of Aerospace & Defense Division at NEOTech
11/14/2023 | NEO TechNEOTech, a leading provider of electronic manufacturing services (EMS), design engineering, and supply chain solutions in the high-tech industrial, medical device, and aerospace/defense markets, is thrilled to welcome James Doyle to the team as Chief Executive Officer of NEOTech’s Aerospace & Defense division, effective immediately.
Vuzix Completes Delivery to Tier-1 Aerospace and Defense Firm
11/06/2023 | PRNewswireVuzix Corporation, a leading supplier of smart glasses and Augmented Reality (AR) technology and products, announced it has completed delivery against a follow-on order from a Tier-1 aerospace and defense contractors with which it has been working with.