Medical Flex and Rigid-Flex circuit applications require that the design provides the utmost in reliability. Unique combinations of electrical requirements, mechanical bend requirements, and in some cases medical operating environments, require careful and thorough design review. In this webinar we will cover how these requirements interact and what their impact on circuitry layout, materials, and the construction of the design are. To learn more about our flex and rigid-flex solutions visit http://www.epectec.com/flex/

1.  DELIVERING QUALITY SINCE 1952.
Challenges in Designing Flex
Circuits for Medical Applications
08.26.16

2. 2
Introduction
 Same High Density and Packaging Challenges as many
other industries.
 Higher Level of reliability requirements both in
performance and manufacturing / QC (IPC Class 3).
 Flex & Rigid – Flex advantages for medical applications:
– Higher density packaging capabilities
– Design reliability improvement opportunities
– Meets environment requirements

3. 3
Agenda
 Design Reliability
 Design Flexibility
 Rigid – Flex Construction Requirements
 Bend Capabilities
 Manufacturing & QC Requirements
 Material Call Outs
 Environmental Requirements & Capabilities

4. 4
 Integration:
– Reduced # of Interconnects Eliminates Points of Failure
Design Reliability

5. 5
 Combination Signal Designs:
– Power distribution
– Controlled impedance
– Standard signals
 Distributed Functionality:
– Functionality can be more
readily distributed across
multiple rigid areas
Design Flexibility

6. 6
 Bend Capabilities:
– Thinner materials / constructions allow for tighter bends with
reduced mechanical stresses.
 Shock & Vibration Performance:
– Reduced weight equals
improved performance.
Design Reliability

7. 7
Design Flexibility
 Many Creative Routing Solutions:
– External flex jumpers
 Additional Shielding Options:
– Purpose designed shielding films
– Eliminates need for additional copper layers

8. 8
Rigid – Flex Construction
 IPC 2223C Design Guide Recommended
Constructions:
– Adhesiveless Flex Core(s)
– Selective Coverlay Construction
(Flex areas only)
– Air Gap Constructions
(higher flex layer count applications)
– Pre-Preg Bonding Layers in Rigid areas

9. 9
Rigid – Flex Construction
 6 layer Rigid with 2 Flex Layers Construction:

10. 10
Rigid – Flex Construction
 6 Layer Rigid with 4 Layers Flex Air Gap Construction:

11. 11
Bend Capabilities
 Static Bend Once to Fit Applications:
– Approx. 10 X the finished flex thickness
 Dynamic Flex Applications:
– Approx. 100 X finished flex thickness

12. 12
Manufacturing & QC Requirements /
Material Callouts
 IPC 6013 Class 3:
– Increased Annular ring requirements
– Designed in at Gerber layout
– May vary depending upon part
design, part size and
manufacturing methods
 Material Callouts:
– Define per IPC material specifications
• E.G.: IPC 4202, 4203, 4204 etc.
• Example IPC 4202/11 = Adhesiveless Flex Core

13. 13
Environmental Capabilities
 Sterilization And Cleaning Requirements:
– Suitable for Autoclaving processes
– Impervious to majority of acids, basics, solvents and gases
– Excellent resistance to UV and Radiation
– IR, if excessive, may require additional testing

14. 14
Summary
 Medical applications have unique combinations of design
and reliability requirements.
 Flex and Rigid – Flex has proven to be an enabling
technology which allows for a wide variety of applications
at ever increasing technology levels.
 There is a large number of design, material and
construction options available that can that can facilitate
applications from simple disposable designs to high tech
diagnostic equipment.
 We invite you to submit any questions you may have and
thank you for attending our webinar today.

15. 15
Our Products
Battery Packs Flex & Rigid-Flex PCB’s User Interfaces
Fans & Motors Cable Assemblies Printed Circuit Boards

16. 16
Design Centers & Technical Support
 Battery Pack & Power Management – Denver, CO
 User Interfaces – Largo, FL
 Fans & Motors – New Bedford, MA & Wales, UK
 PCB’s – New Bedford, MA & Shenzhen, China
 Flex & Rigid Flex – Toronto, Canada
 Cable Assemblies – Largo, FL
 Our Engineering and Design teams are ready to help
our customers create world class and cost effective
product solutions.

17. 17
Q&A
 Questions?
– Enter any questions you may have
in the Control Panel
– If we don’t have time to get to it, we
will reply via email

18. 18
Thank You
Check out our previous webinars at www.epectec.com.
For more information email sales@epectec.com.
Stay Connected with Epec Engineered Technologies
Follow us on our social media sites for continuous technical updates and information: