Mike Levis, Senior Manager, Surgical Portfolio
During the last decade, the latest technology trend enabling breakthroughs in patient care
is minimally invasive surgery.
Minimally invasive surgery eliminates the need
for large, invasive incisions through multiple
layers of tissue. Instead, small incisions are used through the
outer layer of the skin to create an opening for the surgeon to
insert a probe for treatment.
Minimally invasive techniques first appeared in endoscopic
and arthroscopic treatments, and were initially used to allow
the physician to visually inspect very localized areas of tissue
and organs. Current capabilities now allow the surgeon to
insert surgical tools and catheters as well as imaging devices
and actually perform surgical procedures. Moreover, flexible
endoscopic probes are now available that allow the surgeon
to use natural body openings (e.g. the mouth) and have
eliminated the need for any incision at all in many cases.
Evolving enhancements in tube and shaft technology,
fiber-optics, sensors, and stamping and molding technology will
continue to enable the benefits of minimally invasive surgical
techniques to be applied to more surgical approaches in the future.
Mark Russell, Global Market Manager,
Medical Electronics
In the world of medical electronics, the title for biggest breakthrough goes to closed loop
functionality. This technological milestone
has helped device designers achieve new levels of active
implantable performance, and it has driven change in three
crucial areas: power conservation (providing stimulation only
as needed through neural feedback), improved patient efficacy
(adjusting therapy based on changing patient condition), and
better feedback tools (communicating real-time information
via wireless to doctors).
Closed-loop devices, such as those used to control epilepsy,
use implantable multi-electrode arrays and amplifiers to record
electrical signals. These signals can be used to predict a seizure,
and can even apply preventative electrical stimulation in advance.
This closed-loop functionality in active implantables requires
optimal power efficiency and signal isolation, and much of
this is dependent upon the performance of electrical contacts
and contact systems used to connect leads to batteries and
electronics. Highly conductive and space-efficient components
are supporting advanced connection arrays and signal isolation
requirements of closed-loop, high-connector-count arrays.
With the use of closed-loop devices becoming more
widespread, the ability to support smaller footprint
connections for active implantables in a proven and reliable
design will become increasingly critical.
TURBO® MINIATURE PIEZOELECTRIC ALARMS
Tiny (approx. 1"×1") piezoelectric
alarms provide LOUD output with a
super-sleek design. Available in variety
of voltages and output up to 103dB!
Rugged, tamper-proof, lo-profile panel
mount design is IP68 and NEMA 4X.
Optional manual volume control offers
increased attenuation. ISO 9001:2008
registered company – all products
made in the USA.
Floyd Bell Inc
(614) 294-4000 FAX (614) 291-0823
email: sales@floydbell.com www.floydbell.com
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