Miniaturize your medical devices with 3D-Circuits
When it comes to miniaturization, the ideal partner is the leading 3D-MID supplier HARTING. The company is located in the innovative heart of the Swiss watch industry in Biel, which is also a growing centre for medical technology. This location was chosen with care, because in this region people have grown up in a world of micromechanics - generation after generation.
The field of mechatronics has become a prominent area of focus within the medical devices sector. One of the most significant advancements in this field is the emergence of Mechatronic Integrated Devices (3D-MID). This technology enables the integration of electronic components into a compact and dense configuration, offering a significant advancement in the miniaturisation of medical devices.
The potential for 3D-MID or 3D-Circuits to transform the medical industry is significant. As medical devices, such as hearing aids and dental instruments, become increasingly miniaturised, the manufacture of their most crucial components – traditionally printed circuit boards (PCB's with wires and other electrical parts) – necessitates a heightened degree of delicacy and precision.
The process of high-end miniaturization is made possible by 3D-Circuits, which represents an exemplary combination of mechanical and electronic integration.
This article provides a comprehensive overview of the 3D-MID technology, its numerous advantages, and its applications in the medical device industry.
An Introduction to 3D-MID Technology
HARTING's 3D-Circuits technology enables the integration of mechanical and electronic functions into a single component, thereby allowing for the accommodation of both within the smallest of spaces.
The electronic circuit can be integrated into the device itself, thereby increasing its compactness and functional density. The utilisation of injection-moulded circuit boards has the potential to significantly reduce the number of process steps, assembly times and parts required.
Three-dimensional mid-range technology has become a highly valuable tool in a multitude of industries, particularly in the field of medical devices, where it is instrumental in driving miniaturization.
The functioning of 3D-MID technology is as follows:
The utilisation of 3D-Circuits enables device designers to surpass the constraints of conventional manufacturing processes. The potential for innovation is limitless when electrical and mechanical functions can be unified in a single three-dimensional component.
These components are constructed using malleable plastic through the process of injection moulding. This process enables the creation of components with precise measurements, in accordance with the specifications set forth by the final customer.
Injection molding is an optimal method for the mass production of products with intricate geometries and miniature dimensions, such as the components of sophisticated medical devices. Subsequently, a process designated as laser direct structuring (LDS), developed by LPKF Laser & Electronics in 1996, can then delineate the requisite electrical trace layout to these components, which will be rendered conductive in a subsequent chemical plating process. By unifying all of these process steps under one roof, HARTING is able to offer customers a high-quality product that is manufactured in Switzerland.
The utilisation of 3D-MID technology renders the scope of design possibilities virtually limitless. This creates a vast array of potential opportunities, with the potential for significant savings for both manufacturers and consumers. The combination of mechanical and electrical hardware facilitates the design and creation of electronic devices with highly complex functions, rendering the process more straightforward and cost-effective.
The adaptability of mechatronics allows its application in an ever-expanding variety of medical applications, including bed positioning systems, robotic surgical equipment and numerous others.
The application of 3D-MID technology in the medical field
In recent years, the application of 3D printing technology has facilitated numerous advancements in the field of medicine, with millions of individuals deriving benefit from the creation of components and devices through this process. It is anticipated that 3D-MID will have a profound and transformative impact on the field of medicine.
This technology represents a significant advancement over previous iterations by employing mechatronics to create devices with an expanded range of electronic functions that are capable of being integrated into the smallest of spaces.
The application of mechatronics permits the reduction in size of medical devices to an extreme degree, thereby facilitating examination, sensing and monitoring from within the patient. The application of such technology allows for the design of medical devices that are much less invasive, thereby facilitating a significant improvement in patient care. Given its extensive experience in this field, which commenced in 2003, the HARTING team is well-versed in the specific requirements of the medical market. This is corroborated by the numerous series production projects. A significant aspect of the contribution made by 3D-Circuits is the reduction in the size of medical machinery and devices through the implementation of 3D-MID technology. It offers substantial enhancements to the manner in which medical devices are currently utilised.
One of the most significant advantages of this technology is that it enables these advancements to be achieved without compromising quality. One might assume that reducing the size of a medical device would result in a loss of power or effectiveness. However, this is not the case with 3D-MID.
Indeed, as 3D-Circuits gains further recognition and popularity, it is likely to become an increasingly valuable tool, offering new possibilities for the development of smaller and more effective medical devices, including hearing aids, implants, surgical instruments and dental equipment.
The Benefits and Uses of 3D-MID Technology
Miniaturization represents a pivotal trend in healthcare, influencing the manner in which mechatronics technology is deployed. The advancement of diminutive instruments, devices, and equipment facilitates less invasive treatment modalities, thereby enabling expedited recuperation periods and markedly enhanced patient care.
Furthermore, the development of micro actuators and miniature sensors has facilitated the advancement of compact mechatronics systems, which are being employed in a range of applications, including:
- Handheld diagnostics for use at the point of care, including ultrasound and blood testing
- Scientific instruments for flow cytometry, DNA identification, pathogen detection, and DNA sequencing
- Medical imaging using small, precise modules for lens control and laser tuning
- Implantable devices that can be dynamically adjusted in-place
- Mobile miniature robots
- Micropumps and auto-injectors for drug delivery products
(Source: Jabil)
Additionally, there has been a notable shift in focus towards the prioritisation of the convenience and aesthetic appeal of medical technology, as well as the level of comfort experienced by the patient. This is due to the fact that an increasing number of treatments are being conducted in outpatient facilities, and contemporary patients have come to anticipate a more favourable experience as patients.
The objective of redesign efforts for medical equipment is to facilitate ease of use and management for patients over the long term.
Even conventional hydraulics are being superseded by mechatronics, which are now the preferred method for controlling motion. The operation of mechatronics systems is relatively straightforward, they create less noise, weigh less and are more compact.
The utilisation of mechatronics in lieu of conventional manufacturing techniques offers a plethora of advantages to medical organisations. These include:
-The miniaturization of medical devices
-Development of low-cost disposable gadgets, which has become a pressing requirement
-Device portability
-High levels of accuracy and precision
-Improved performance in all aspects
-Design freedom
-Weight reduction
-Simplification of products
Conclusion
The most important developments in mechatronic lead to new technologies that will shape the healthcare of the future so that devices are safer, more portable, and, most importantly, painless. HARTING’s 3D-Circuits technology is changing how medical devices are made, especially complex equipment with integrated electronics that must fit into increasingly miniscule spaces.