How thin, piezoresistive sensor technology can improve product design efficiency and quality.

Whether or not it's a conscious choice, many designers group sensing technologies into one of two categories:

As a result, some designers may fall victim to a silo mentality when it comes to evaluating certain sensor types. It takes engineering ingenuity to break down those silos and realize that a single technology can function freely between these usage categories.

For example, thin, piezoeresistive sensors for force and pressure – the sensing technology we manufacture here at Tekscan – offers endless opportunities for design engineers across all industries. In fact, for some companies, using the technology in the instrumentation of their design has laid the framework for a plan to integrate the sensor into their final design.

Download the free eBook "Mapping the Path to a Successful Device Design" to read about real-world applications showcasing how Tekscan technology has helped design engineers map the path to innovation.

Faulhaber linear motors play a major role in the automation of the pharmaceutical industry, laboratories, and analysis.

Since the beginning of the coronavirus crisis at the latest, the pharmaceutical industry and laboratories have been under pressure to realize the highest possible levels of automation – from new analysis and testing devices to production lines, and filling/packaging systems. This efficiency is dependent on the level of automation and miniaturized linear motor axes and modules for single- or multi-axis applications open new possibilities. Designed as a modular system, they are suitable for a wide range of tasks in laboratory automation and the pharmaceutical industry. They are powered by FAULHABER linear motors.

The engineers from Jung Antriebstechnik u. Automation GmbH JA² responded to calls from the pharmaceutical industry, the analysis sector, and the medical technology industry for small but functional automation solutions with the development of a new modular mechatronic system called QuickLab. With the small QM02 linear motor modules for up to 160mm of stroke and the QA02 linear motor axes for strokes up to 220mm, short-stroke applications can be realized with high dynamics and accuracy. Through the mechanical construction and precision guides in combination with two ball carriages, the modules and axes are very stiff and offer high repeatability during positioning of ±50µm despite their lightweight construction and low moving mass. Depending on the load, travel speeds up to 3m/s and accelerations up to 50m/s² are possible. The axes and modules can be individually combined with one another, so pick-and-place applications can be realized as can automatic solutions for separating, grouping, testing, or plating samples or other sensitive products. With a width of 22mm, QuickLab perfectly covers the need for miniaturized single- and multi-axis handling systems. Moreover, the appropriate accessories such as weight force compensation, magnetic holding brakes, external position sensors and adapter plates are offered.

High dynamics and precision "The linear motors are the heart of our modular automation system and the requirements placed on them are very high," explains Wilhelm Jung, managing director at JA². "The motors must operate highly dynamically, be precisely controllable, and have suitable dimensions. The linear motors from FAULHABER convinced here with their innovative functional principle, which differs from classic solutions.”

Linear motors can be constructed in several different ways because all principles of rotating electric motors can generally be implemented in linear motors by mapping the round air gap onto a straight line. To do this, the originally circularly arranged electric excitation windings are mapped on a flat path. The magnetic field then pulls the rotor over the travel path. There are, however, still other possibilities: The LM2070 DC linear drives aren’t constructed as such surface rotors with carriage and guide. Instead, the forcer rod is guided within a 3-phase self-supporting coil.

"This design produces an exceptionally good relationship between linear force and current and high dynamics. In addition, there are no cogging torques, thereby making the linear motors ideal for use in our modular QuickLab system,” Jung says.

Maximum performance in the smallest dimensions The LM2070 linear motors are available with stroke lengths from 40mm to 220mm. Despite the compact stator dimensions of 20mm x 20mm x 70mm (W x H x L), the small linear DC servomotor has impressive mechanical performance indicators. The continuous force is 9.2N, and up to 28N of peak force is available. The robust plain bearing of the forcer rod easily handles the high speeds of up to 3 m/s. At the same time, the small powerhouse can be very precisely controlled. Already with the integrated Hall sensors, the absolute positioning accuracy is ±0.1mm and the repeatability is ±50µm. With an optional external sensor, these figures can be improved to ±0.01mm and a repeatability of ±1µm. On top of this comes practically maintenance-free operation as the motor has no moving wear parts. Moreover, the linear drive operates nearly noise-free. "This is important above all if personnel and handling systems work in the same room, as is often the case in laboratories," Jung adds.

Trailing-chain cable connection An important point for handling systems is the connection technology. The linear motors are normally delivered with a max. 30cm long cable connection. In automation systems, however, the switch cabinet is usually some distance from the actual drive.

"Between the motor and the controller in the separate switch cabinet, there can then be 10, 20 or more meters," Jung says.

With the QuickLab modular system, there is therefore a special, multi-shielded cable that transfers the motor power and the position sensor signal between motor and controller interference-free over up to 30m. It is fastened with a cover directly to the motor with strain relief, can be plugged in and is also designed for use with cable chains, i.e., for mobile use. The single-cable technology simplifies installation thanks to the prefabrication of both ends.

The mechatronic kit tailor made for laboratory automation has already proven itself in practical use.

"Many manufacturers and suppliers of analysis accessories today rely on our systems. Demand is currently enormous – including from other areas such as optics and testing technology," Jung says.

Always present as the driving force: the small, powerful LM2070 linear drives.

The first artificial intelligence- (AI) powered video management and analytics platform for the operating room.

Medtronic plc has entered into a contract with Vizient to add Touch Surgery Enterprise to Vizient's offerings, which serve more than half the nation's healthcare providers.

The first AI-powered surgical video management and analytics platform for the operating room (OR), Touch Surgery Enterprise significantly simplifies the process of recording, analyzing, and sharing surgical video – providing surgeons with a powerful new tool to improve performance and train others.1,†

A fully integrated hardware and software system connected to the cloud, Touch Surgery Enterprise works easily with many laparoscopic and robotic scopes, enabling hospitals to take the first step to digitizing their OR while leveraging existing equipment.

"Touch Surgery Enterprise allows surgeons to use data to refine the way surgery is taught and executed, and we believe that will raise the standard of healthcare for all," said George Murgatroyd, vice president and general manager, Digital Surgery within the Surgical Robotics business, which is part of the Medical Surgical Portfolio of Medtronic. "This agreement with Vizient allows us to build on the strong interest we're seeing globally, to support hospitals in the U.S. who are looking to harness the power of surgical video data and analysis."

Touch Surgery Enterprise is part of Medtronic's growing portfolio of artificial intelligence (AI) and surgical robotic solutions. It is compatible with the Hugo robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) system.‡

Vizient contract provides access to a nationwide network of hospitalsVizient serves more than half the nation's acute care providers, including academic medical centers, community hospitals, pediatric facilities, and non-acute care providers.

"Vizient's mission is to help our member providers deliver high value care to the patients they serve. Our ability to evolve relationships with our suppliers is a critical piece to the equation as we look to deliver on a more comprehensive value proposition in the market," says Bryan Grossman, senior vice president, Strategic Supplier Performance & Category Management, Vizient. "Touch Surgery Enterprise aligns with our mission, offering our members the ability to analyze surgical processes that can help advance patient care."

AI-powered surgical video and data available anytime, anywhere Touch Surgery Enterprise is comprised of the DS1 computer and controller – surgical video recording hardware designed specifically for the OR. Applications of built-in AI include:

"By simplifying the process to capture and analyze surgical video, Touch Surgery Enterprise gives surgical teams a powerful new tool to advance patient care," says Megan Rosengarten, president of the Surgical Robotics business at Medtronic. "We're excited about the impact it can make for customers today, as a solution for laparoscopic and robotic-assisted cases within their existing infrastructure, and for the possibility this technology creates in the future."

†Touch Surgery Enterprise is not intended to analyze medical images or signals to guide surgery, or aid in diagnosis or treatment of a disease or condition. It is available in most markets around the world, including in the U.S.

‡The Hugo RAS system is commercially available in certain geographies. Regulatory requirements of individual countries and regions will determine approval, clearance, or market availability. In the EU, the Hugo RAS system is CE marked. In Canada, the Hugo RAS system has a medical device license. The Hugo RAS system is approved in Australia. In the U.S., the Hugo RAS system is an investigational device not for sale.

Provider of collaborative and industrial robot arm solutions will add local sales, service, and support for American customers through its new partner DB Cobots.

Collaborative Robot manufacturer Dobot announced the launch of a new U.S. distribution partnership with Philadelphia-based DB Cobots LLC. DB Cobots will be working directly with systems integrators, OEMs, manufacturers across various industries and through its expansive re-seller network. DB Cobots will also provide service and support for users and re-sellers of the robot line.

Dobot’s products are extremely cost effective, starting at $2,699 for the MG400 4 axis tabletop robot and $5,998 for the 400mm M1Pro collaborative SCARA and complement those with a complete line of 6-axis cobots starting under $20,000. Dobot’s robots are used worldwide in a wide variety of markets including 3C (computers, communications, and consumer electronics), lab automation, automotive, medical device, packaging, dispensing, screwdriving, and assembly.

“The combination of Dobot’s expertise in designing and manufacturing high-quality, low-cost collaborative robots and DB Cobots’ sales and service capability will provide American customers with an extremely competitive alternative to the current Collaborative Robots in the market today,” says Doug Dalgliesh, president of DB Cobots. “We are honored and excited about our relationship with Dobot and look forward to introducing these great robots at a great price to the American market. All models are stocked at and supported from our Philadelphia area office.”

Ariste Medical’s hernia mesh combines synthetic material and proven antibiotics to address unmet need for one of America’s most common surgeries.

Ariste Medical, a pre-commercial drug+device company, has received 510(k) clearance (#K211132) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market its drug-embedded, synthetic hernia mesh in the United States. The new mesh aims to reduce the risk of microbial colonization during surgical implantation.

The FDA 510(k) clearance represents 15 years of dedicated research, during which Ariste has been awarded 18 patents and proprietary formulations positioning it as a flexible technology capable of delivering novel drug+device combinations to address clinical complications where infection, inflammation or clotting are ongoing challenges associated with implantable surgical devices.

With more than 400,000 procedures performed annually, ventral hernia repair is among the most common surgeries in the United States, but often results in high rates of infection which can lead to excess morbidity and healthcare expenses. Mesh-related infection following surgical repair of ventral hernia can range from 8% to 40%, depending on patient risk factors and the complexity of the surgical case. Ariste’s patented formulation enables a polypropylene mesh to carry the proven antibiotics minocycline and rifampin to prevent mesh contamination by bacterial pathogens associated with surgical site infections, such as MRSA and E. coli. The formulation can be applied to a variety of medical devices and can incorporate any drug so that drug+device combinations can address infection, restenosis, thrombosis, and inflammation.

20220330_Ariste_Teaser_V03 from POPi/o Video Banking on Vimeo.

“Regulatory clearance of the Ariste antibiotic embedded mesh is an important milestone toward reducing incidence of implant bacterial colonization in open ventral hernia repair,” says Dr. Lisa Jennings, co-founder of Ariste. “This achievement comes at a time when there is a greater focus and concern on implant integrity due to healthcare-associated infections. Our patented, novel technology serves as a platform for mitigating failure of other implants due to bacteria burden, as well as for targeting complications due to restenosis or acute thrombosis.”

“Infection following open hernia repair continues to be a challenge that leads to a vicious cycle of reoperations, negatively impacting patients’ quality of life, and increasing the economic burden of health care and driving up costs for health systems,” says Dr. Michael Rosen, director of Cleveland Clinic Center for Abdominal Core Health, a board member at Ariste, and medical director of the nationwide Abdominal Core Health Quality Collaborative. “Yet, infections are preventable. The Ariste mesh provides surgeons with a cutting-edge tool for reducing bacterial colonization in and around the mesh implant; and preventing infections will lead to better long-term patient outcomes and reduced costs of care.”