Diagnostics, therapeutics and medical monitoring modalities have set the stage for connected wearable medical devices. In this article by Anthony Kalaijakis from Molex, you can take a closer look at the emerging technology advances within each of these three key connected device modalities, and then explore the top design considerations that device manufacturers need to integrate moving forward.
New medical device technologies are poised to be game-changers for supporting diagnostic, therapeutic, and medical monitoring modalities in connected health ecosystems. To support these new systems, medical device manufacturers needs to design low-profile devices that can transmit real-time patient data, remain flexible, light, comfortable, and powered with limited printed circuit board capacity while simultaneously boost signal integrity.
Within diagnostic, therapeutic, and medical monitoring applications, there are three main considerations to keep in mind when designing medical devices. These include component and space optimization, flexible circuitry integration, maximum power and high signal integrity.
1. Component and Space Optimization
On-patient wearables should be more compact compared to large, bulky medical devices. Designers must consider optimizing board space with newer microconnectors and flexible circuitry to accommodate the new demand for smaller devices.
2. Flexible Circuitry Integration
Devices are becoming more feature-rich, despite their shrinking size and footprint. Such technologies include circuitry to the patient’s body to capture deeper and better monitoring results. Flexible printed circuits (FPCs) and associated cables and connectors offer a great advantage because they’re light, flexible and smaller while meeting the stringent criteria for wearable medical devices.
3. Maximum Power and High Signal Integrity
Medical device designers should consider low-profile wire-to-board and flex-to-board options when powering medical devices. Power-to-board solutions can enable a device’s functionality by carrying currents of up to 15 amps. Board connections are now being offered with higher circuit counts of 60, 80 and 100 circuits, which is becoming more popular as data is transmitted between connection points in a small form factor.
MedTech devices have become smaller over this last decade, and the advancements in connected technology are just beginning. Healthcare providers are always looking to support their patients in a non-invasive manner with minimal downtime and maximum comfort, and medical device manufacturers are, too. They are making these goals a reality by engineering new devices that are not only small and lightweight, but also smart, safe and reliable. There’s more to come in this space, and design considerations will continue to be pushed towards continuous innovation and improvement.
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