All articles by Ramesh Yada
Ramesh Yada
Along the straight and narrow
Linear actuators are mechanical devices that convert energy to create straight-line motion to either lift, tilt or move mechanical legs in and out. They offer a wide range of exciting applications. Eleanor Wilson explores the latest developments.
A fresh coat
There has been an enormous growth in the application of coatings on to medical devices in the past few years. Recently, novel coating techniques such as laser treatments, low-temperature atmospheric plasmas and microblasting techniques have also been developed for the deposition of bioactive coatings. Jim Banks looks at recent developments in the field.
Go all in on the chips
Microfluidic or ‘lab-on-a-chip’ devices are commonly used to analyse blood and other fluid samples, which are pumped through narrow channels in a transparent chip the size of a postage stamp. A new chip takes that technology one step further by adding a 3D cavity along the channel, which creates a mini vortex where particles spin around, making them easier to observe. Andrew Tunnicliffe speaks to Sara Baratchi, researcher and biologist at RMIT University, about the potential applications.
A fine point
Point-of-care testing is a rapidly expanding area of healthcare, driven by increasingly advanced medical technologies that allow for easier and faster clinical decisions to be made. One of the most important advances in recent years has been the ability to transfer complex analytical or diagnostic processes into a single microfluidics platform. Stephanie Webster speaks to Maria Shepherd from Medi-Vantage about key considerations when developing these devices.
Baby monitor
When babies are born, in some unfortunate circumstances their first experience of the world can be the sights and sounds of a neonatal unit. Getting them home as soon as possible is the goal, and can even aid the health and well-being of the baby. Andrew Tunnicliffe talks with Ulkuhan Guler, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering, and director of Worcester Polytechnic Institute’s Integrated Circuits and Systems Lab, about the work she is doing to develop a new monitor that could dramatically benefit babies and adults.
In with the new
Most companies in the logistics market are currently engaged in adopting new technologies, strategies, products, expansions and long-term contracts to maintain their dominance in the market. With advancements continuing at a rapid rate, players are striving hard to incorporate the latest innovations to gain a competitive edge above the rest. Emma Green speaks to Bruce J Stanley, president-principal at the Stanley East Consulting Group, about recent innovations to optimise logistics.
The imitation game
Medical device fraud is a relatively well-kept secret in the healthcare industry. While the pharmaceutical industry has accepted the dangers counterfeiting poses, there are suggestions that device manufacturers are grossly underestimating the problem. Stephanie Webster assesses the scale of the problem.
Make the most of things
US inventor John Wesley Hyatt, together with his brother Isaiah, patented the first injection-moulding machine in 1872. Over the next few years, the technology progressed slowly, producing products such as collar stays, buttons and hair combs. Today, injection moulding is used for creating products across multiple fields, including electronic, automotive and home appliance, as well as the medical device industry. Kerry Taylor-Smith speaks to Michael Gilchrist, senior professor of mechanical engineering and head of the University College Dublin School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, about the applications of the technology today, particularly the value of micro injection moulding.
From the outside in
There is ongoing debate about the relative advantages and disadvantages of outsourcing in device manufacturing. Deciding whether to ramp up internal production or engage external suppliers is fundamental in a fast-paced industry. Lyn Erb outlines considerations for outsourcing and how to navigate the various available options.
Watch this space
Astronauts face a number of health issues while in space for extended periods, creating the need for medical devices to treat these problems. 3D printing offers huge potential for manufacturing products for this unique environment. Emma Green speaks to Jorge M Zuniga, assistant professor and research project lead at the University of Nebraska Omaha, about what makes this approach effective.