Feature Articles

• No Dirty Devices Allowed
  

  A reproducible cleaning and coating process affects a device's ultimate approval, success, and profitability.



• Endovascular Device Testing
  

  A large range of medical devices access the vasculature in a minimally invasive manner, usually percutaneously. Rigorous testing is required for design verification, CE-marking and US FDA submissions of these products. As an example, an overview is provided of the requirements for design validation of an intravascular stent and its delivery system.



• Piezo Motors and Actuators: Streamlining Medical Device Performance
  

  Recently introduced piezoceramic motors and actuators offer a number of advantages over conventional electromagnetic (EM) motors for the execution of precise movements for medical device applications and are thus becoming increasingly popular with medical device manufacturers. Compared with EM motors, they are more compact, require lower voltage, deliver higher torque and generate less heat. In addition, they have shorter response time and have fewer mechanical component parts to wear out and service. They also are vacuum compatible and offer the ability to provide more accurate positioning than EM motors.