In medical applications, a variety of instruments and devices can be used to monitor patients’ physical condition. Such equipment must have high-precision and stable detection capability. In addition, high-performance interconnect solutions are also required to ensure stable operation of the equipment. This paper will introduce you to Samtec interconnect solutions for medical applications.
A full range of products and services are available for medical applications
An increased focus on wellness and advances in medical research drives intertest in medical and biomedical applications. One area receiving increase interest are implantable devices. Applications include audio sensors, cardiac monitors, blood pressure sensors, optical and visual prostheses and neuromodulators.
Medical device applications continue to grow as well. These include surgical robots, 3D telemetry, MRI, endoscopy, ultrasound imagers, medical components and modules. Other unique solution are DNA sequencing, next-generation sequencing, microfluidics and flow cells, lab-on-a-chip, and diabetes monitoring. All such medical equipment use high-performance interconnect solutions to ensure accurate and stable operation of the equipment.
Samtec offers a growing portfolio of rugged, high-performance interconnect solutions targeted for medical applications. Solutions include High-Speed Board-to-Board, High-Speed Cables, Mid-Board and Panel Optics, and Precision RF components and cable assemblies. Samtec’s high-performance interconnect portfolio routes data over the entire signal channel from silicon chips to front panels and each point in between.
High-performance interconnect in medical application requires collaboration from a diverse team of technologist. Samtec Technology Centers offer the medical industry access to advanced technology development with a goal of bringing the most effective and innovative solutions to life. As bandwidth, scale and power requirements continue to challenge conventional engineering methods, Samtec helps optimize the landscape of your entire system – and develop solutions, together.
Samtec Technology Centers consist six teams of world-class designers The Singal Integrity Group offers full channel signal and power integrity analysis, testing and validation services. The Samtec Optical Group combines R&D, design, development and support of micro optical engines and assemblies. Advanced Interconnect focus on high-precision stamping, plating, molding and automated assembly Samtec Microelectronics specializes in Advanced IC packaging design, support and manufacturing capabilities. The High-Speed Cable team contains In-house R&D for manufacturing of precision extruded cable and assemblies. Finally, the Precision RF Group designs, develops and test RF solutions >70 GHz.
Additionally, Samtec’s Sudden Service® is at the forefront of every customer relationship globally. This enables Samtec’s customers to be first to market with innovative product solutions. In terms of lead time and delivery, Samtec provides free “sudden samples” in 24 hours and supports direct shipping worldwide. It takes only two days for delivery to major markets and most products can be shipped within 3 days.
In terms of silicon-to-silicon system optimization, Samtec supports advanced design assistance and engineering support for the entire high-speed serial path, including from PCB routing to thermal management to full system SI characterization and analysis. Moreover, Samtec provides 24/7 global engineering support and offers free online resources for customers to find the medical solutions they need.
Diverse product lines meet different medical application needs
Related products introduced by Samtec for medical applications are described below. The first product is the SEARAY™ high-speed/high-density system with an open-pin-arrays, which uses a pitch grid of 0.050-inch (1.27 mm) to maximize grounding and routing flexibility, supports up to 560 single-ended I/O or 140 differential pairs. With a rugged Edge Rate® contact system, the “zippered” is not easily damaged when during unmating, and with a stack height of 7 to 40mm, parallel, perpendicular, and coplanar applications can be supported. It supports IPC-A-610F and IPC J-STD-001F Class 3 solder joints for processing and can be used for high-speed cable assembly of 50Ω or 100Ω solutions, with VITA 57.1, VITA 57.4 and VITA 74 certifications.
The second product is the Edge Rate® interconnect system for rugged high-speed strips, which uses an Edge Rate® contact optimized for signal integrity performance, supporting up to 1.5mm contact wipes for reliable connections, 10 to 200 positions, extremely slim 2.5 mm body width on 0.635 mm pitch system, 0.50 mm pitch system for up to 40% PCB space savings vs 0.80 mm pitch system, and 0.80mm pitch coaxial cable and twinax cable assemblies, and having robust latching, locking and 360 degree shielding functions, with optional edge mounting and right-angle mounting, compatible with UMPT/UMPS, and having power/signal flexibility.
Another product that can be used for medical applications is a flexible micro discrete wire system, which uses the 1.00 pitch MICRO MATE™ cable system, supporting cable-to-board, cable-to-cable, and cable-to-panel applications. Crimp-style dual leaf contacts provide a reliable connection in a slim, low profile design, 3.2mm at the lowest. It supports up to 40 pins in single or double rows, provides PVC or Teflon® 28 and 30 AWG cable options and supports 3.3 A/pin (28 AWG), with optional sockets and terminal assemblies, providing robust latching for enhanced retention, supporting vertical or right-angle mated terminal strip, and components and tooling are available for mounting.
In order to meet stringent requirements of medical applications, Samtec has introduced the Severe Environment Testing (SET) report intended to test certain products that exceed typical industry standards and specifications, which are mostly common requirements in harsh environmental applications/industries. SET is not only suitable for rugged Mil/Aero industry and applications, but also for automotive, industrial, and medical applications. Severe Environment Testing includes Samtec’s standard Design Qualification Testing (DQT) and Extended Life Product™（E.L.P.™）testing, as well as additional testing of interconnect systems that will be used in more extreme/harsh applications or environments.