What are the most common interconnect challenges that medical device manufacturers come across during the design process, including: Connectivity: Medical devices that are not designed to securely connect to hospital networks, the Internet of Things (IoT), or mobile patient monitoring equipment now have limited product lifecycles, as they are quickly being replaced by smarter, more connected technologies. Flexibility: As devices become smaller and more portable, flexible component designs are critical to this achievement. Environmental Resistance: Portable medical devices are exploding in popularity, however they are far more susceptible to mechanical damage from ingress, shock, and vibration than stationary equipment.

1. SPEAKER: ELIZABETH SHOVLIN - GLOBAL PRODUCT LINE LEADER / ROCCO VETRO - GLOBAL SENIOR ENGINEER
DESIGN RELIABLE
MEDICAL DEVICES
BY SOLVING
C R E A T I V E
I N T E R C O N N E C T
S O L U T I O N S
COMMON INTERCONNECT CHALLENGES
WEBINAR BY XTALKS

2. MEDICAL
DEVICE
WHEN BIGGER
ISN’T BETTER
PORTABLE MEDICAL &
HEALTH CARE DEVICES MARKET
MARKET TRENDS
DEMAND FOR SMALLER, MORE PORTABLE MEDICAL
DEVICES IS DRIVING INNOVATION IN SENSOR
TECHNOLOGIES.
2015
2021
BY TOMOKO FUJIWARA
→ SOURCE
→ SOURCE → SOURCE
NEW ELECTRONICS
SIEMENS HEALTHINEERSIMARC GROUP ESTIMATE
30.4
73.1BILLIONS $
BILLIONS $
PRECISION MEDICINE THERAPY OF TOMORROW
PATIENT JOURNEY
STEWARDSHIP
TECHNOLOGY ENABLED
SERVICES
ARTIFICIAL
INTELLIGENCE
DIGITAL DATA

3. MEDICALPORTABLE EQUIPMENT
IOT (INTERNET OF THINGS)
SPACE & WEIGHT SAVING
EMI PROTECTION
MOVEMENT
DESIGN SUPPORTREQUIREMENTS

4. KEY
CHALLENGESMEDICAL DEVICE INTERCONNECTS
CONNECTIVITY
FLEXIBILITY
HARSH ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
REQUIREMENTS

5. SMART INFUSION PUMP SYSTEM
ROBOTIC SURGERY EQUIPMENT MOBILE VERSATILE BED
EVERY LIVES
MATTER
→ CONNECTIVITY
→ FLEXIBILITY
→ HARSH ENVIRONMENT
FEATURES

6. CONNECTIVITY
CHALLENGES
CROSS-TALK
INTERNAL TO THE EQUIPMENT
NEED TO TRANSMIT HIGH-SPEED DATA
INFLUX IN PROPRIETARY COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS
NEED FOR INCREASED SPEED (CF AEROSPACAE)
WEIGHT SPACE LIMITATIONS
TYPICAL SHIELDING AND RE-DESIGN SOLUTIONS BULKY, HEAVY
NEED FOR LONG-LENGTH CONNECTORS

7. READ THE EMI ARTICLE
If devices are not connected to hospital networks, IoT, or
patient monitoring equipment, the product lifecycle will
be limited and interconnected equipment will quickly
kill stand-alone equipment. Electrical systems designers
need to focus on a key issue preventing effective connecti-
vity: Electro-magnetic Interferance (EMI). Shielding inter-
connects and equipment—even multiple systems inside
one device—is critical to ensure system integrity. While
designing systems, flexible cables, harnesses, and other
circuitry should he shielded to ensure reduce of “cross-
talk” between devices. A 360 degree closed conductive
surface should be applied to flexible cables and devices
to ensure a complete barrier between inner circuitry and
outer noise signals. See the above diagram outlining
most effective methodology to shield a flat flexible cable,
often used on the interior of medical devices for improved
connectivity and portability.
CONNECTIVITY
SOLUTIONS
EMI
SHIELDINGCONDUCTIVE ENCLOSURE A
EFFECTIVE GROUNDING WIRE360 TERMINATIONS
PCB1 PCB2
CONDUCTIVE ENCLOSURE B
CABLE SHIELDING

8. CUSTOMER
APPLICATION
MIXED LAYOUT HIGH POWER,
HIGH FREQUENCY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
HIGH MATING AND UN-MATING CYCLE (200+) OF CONNECTOR
RESISTANCE TO CROSS-TALK
HIGH-TEMPERATURE, IP RATED
NICOMATIC SOLUTION
→ V-SHIELD FFC
15M+ FLEX CYCLES
HIGH SPEED DATA COMPATIBLE
→ CUSTOM LAYOUT HF
& HP CONNECTOR WITH
SECURE FIXING
REQUIREMENTS
→ SOURCE
WE DO NOT OWN THE RIGHTS TO THIS PIC-
TURE FEATURED IN THIS PRESENTATION
ALLEVI
HUMAN
TISSUE
3D PRINTER

9. FLEXIBILITY
REQUIREMENTS
REQUIREMENTS
→ PHYSICAL FLEXIBILITY
ABRASION, FRICTION
MORE VERSATILE EQUIPMENT
→ DESIGN FLEXIBILITY
FLEXIBILITY IN DESIGN OF ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
EQUIPMENT WITH VERSATILE USAGE
ROBOTICS

10. Medical device component flexibility is critical to ensure
a differentiated product. Consider implementing compo-
nents and interconnects which move with your product;
high flex ratings are critical when selecting harnesses
and interconnect solutions which will experience regular
expansion, contraction, or cyclical movement.
For example, cell counting devices and medication dis-
pensing equipment opens and closes millions of times
during the product lifecycle. At the same time, space and
weight saving are critical in a more flexible hospital envi-
ronment. Newer technology frequently incorporates robo-
tics—in the operating room, recovery, and at home. It is
key to plan for flexing in connectors in these applications.
FLEXIBILITY
SOLUTIONS
EMI
SHIELDING700K
500K
400K
300K
200K
100K
600K
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3
BEND DIAMETER (INCHES)
VSHIELD FLEX LIFE EXPON. (VSHIELD FLEX LIFE)
NUMBEROFCYCLE(FLEXLIFE)
800K
900K
1000K

11. Additionally, engineers should select interconnects in
areas of high movement and flexibility which can be cus-
tomized to each application, withstand a high number of
flex cycles, and incorporate more durable features such
as shielding or protection againstabrasion. In most cases,
flat flexible cable of insulated wire harnesses is preferred
for use in robotic or drawer/door connection points due to
longevity and resistance to chaffing.
″Users need to be able to rely on medical
technology at all times. If there is a problem
at any point, a rapid remedy is essential.″
FLEXIBILITY
SOLUTIONS
EMI
SHIELDING
→ SOURCEDRÄGERWERK

12. CUSTOMER
APPLICATION
15 MILLION + FLEX CYCLES IN CLOCKSPRING
REDUCTION OF CROSS-TALK IN DEVICE
HIGH-SPEED COMMUNICATION
SECURE CONNECTION POINT TO WITHSTAND FRICTION MOVEMENT
LOW PROFILE
NICOMATIC SOLUTIONREQUIREMENTS
DEVICE
→ SOURCE
WE DO NOT OWN THE RIGHTS TO THIS PIC-
TURE FEATURED IN THIS PRESENTATION
MEDGADGET
ROBOTIC
SURGICAL
→ V-SHIELD FFC
15M+ FLEX CYCLES
HIGH SPEED DATA COMPATIBLE
→ 1MM PITCH
SMT CONNECTION
→ MIXED DATA,
SIGNAL CONNECTION

13. HARSH
ENVIRONMENT
REQUIREMENTS
→SHOCK & VIBRATION
WITHSTAND MORE FREQUENT MOVEMENT,
DROPS ASSOCIATED WITH PORTABILITY
→EMI PROTECTION
CONNECTIVITY IN “BUSY” ENVIORNMENTS
→RESISTANCE AGAINST HUMIDITY
EXPOSURE TO ELEMENTS
AUTOCLAVE SANITIZATION
IP68 RATING
→TEMPERATURE
USE ON BATTLEFIELD, IN HIGH-TEMPERATURE CLIMATES
CLEANING PROCESSES
→CHAFFING, ABRASION
ROBOTIC CLOCKSPRINGS
FREQUENT MOVEMENT
AUTOMATION
REQUIREMENTS

14. Are far more susceptible to damage from ingress,
shock, and vibration. To protect against this, connec-
tors are critical to ensure a strong, reliable electrical
system which can withstand the more flexible environ-
ments portable devices will be used in in 2019.
Connectors utilizing fixing hardware, latching connec-
tions, and materials more resistant to harsher envi-
ronments should be selected. Additionally, many
military-grade or traditional metalized connector sys-
tems can be bulky, heavy, and disorganized. Lighter,
reliable connectors of smaller pitches utilizing pig-
tailed harnesses or more preferably flat flexible cables
in the assembly will ensure a light-weight yet durable
connection through the life of the medical device.
PORTABLE
DEVICES
HARSH
ENVIRONMENT
REQUIREMENTS
CMM - 2MM PITCH CONNECTOR MIL-55302

15. CUSTOMER
APPLICATION
HIGH OPERATING TEMPERATURE DEVICE (260C++)
CUSTOM ELECTRICAL SYSTEM DESIGN
NICOMATIC SOLUTION
→ LCP CONNECTOR WITH TIGHT PITCH (1.27)
AND HIGH SHOCK RESISTANCE
REQUIREMENTS
SURGICAL DEVICE
→ SOURCE
WE DO NOT OWN THE RIGHTS TO THIS PIC-
TURE FEATURED IN THIS PRESENTATION
MEDICAL EXPO
OPTO
ELECTRONIC

16. ″HOW TO PREVENT EMI WHEN DESIGNING AN
INTERCONNECT SOLUTION FOR MEDICAL DEVICES″
″FIVE TRENDS TO WATCH IN THE MEDICAL DEVICE
INDUSTRY IN 2018″
″DESIGNING ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS AT THE FOREFRONT
OF MEDICAL DEVICE TRENDS″
″ABOUT US″
″DEMAND FOR SMALLER, MORE PORTABLE MEDICAL
DEVICES IS DRIVING INNOVATION IN SENSOR
TECHNOLOGIES.”
″DRAEGER COMPANY BROCHURE″
WORKS
CITED
→ LINK → LINK
→ LINK
→ LINK
→ LINK
→ LINK
→ CONNECTORSUPPLIER.COM - BISHOP & ASSOCIATES INC, 30 OCT. 2018 → MERCER CAPITAL, 2018
→ CONNECTOR AND CABLE ASSEMBLY SUPPLIER, BISHOP & ASSOCIATES INC, NOV. 2018
→ SIEMENS HEALTHINEERS AG→ NEW ELECTRONICS, MA BUSINESS LTD, 26 OCT. 2016
ZACH BLANDEN
LIZ SHOVLIN
STRATEGY
SUJAN RAJBHANDARY
TOMOKO FUJIWARA
DRÄGERWERK AG & CO. KGAA

17. THANK YOU