Cable and Wire – Medical Applications

The average person seldom thinks of the individual components that go into making medical devices. However, there are actually companies who specialize in crafting cables and wires specifically for medicinal purposes. Medical wire can be found in devices such as pacemakers, hearing aids, and other medical devices which must conduct some sort of electrical current. These wires often require special materials and coatings to protect electrical connections in devices placed within the human body. Likewise, the body must be protected from certain metal alloys lest it tried to reject the device as a foreign body and thus try to attack or destroy it.

Manufacturers who specialize in making cable and wires for medicinal purposes can produce a broad range of cable and wire sizes, as well as use a variety of materials in their construction. In terms of medicinal purposes, medical device manufacturers often require highly flexible cable to accommodate the smallest devices. These types of cables must have high tensile strength, be able to withstand friction, be chemical resistant, and possess excellent dielectric strength. Many of these cables are extremely small but can withstand more than heavy chains used to tow cars. The medical device manufacturing industry requires unsurpassed quality and strength.

Silicon cable is often used in medicinal applications. In part, silicone makes an excellent choice because it presents chemical inertness so necessary in medical applications. While being inert, and thus less likely to cause a chemically related problem in medical applications, silicone also presents versatility in terms of strength, flexibility, and melt forming capability. It is often the preferred material for devices intended for internal use. Silicone is used to coat metallic wires, and thus provide increased chemical resistance without sacrificing strength. It is also used as a surface material for many internal medical devices.

Likewise, silicone wire is often used in medical devices where a smaller gauge is required. It is used in such situations for all the same reasons as silicone coated cable. Manufacturers of medical wiring provide medical device manufacturers with customized solutions for their wiring and cable needs. So, if the device manufacturer requires an unusual size or gauge of wire, or requires a specific set of colors, the wire manufacturer is well-equipped to produce wire to meet the needs of the medical device industry. Many manufacturers of medical wiring solutions can provide density, tensile strength, friction resistance, and dielectric strength information for all the wires that they produce.

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Important Milestones In History of Wire And Cable Manufacturing

Due to technological advances, the medical wire and cable manufacturing industry has experienced tremendous change over the years both in its operations and systems as well as the needs of its customers. The modern wire and cable industry emerged in the late 19th and early 20th century during a time when American industrialization created a need for medical wire and cable products and made available a means for their production.

When the US became industrialized, wire became a fundamental product underpinning the nation's growth both industrially and commercially. For years, copper had been the preferred metal for a majority of the wire and military cable manufacturing industry's products; its high conductivity made it the metal of choice for a majority of manufacturers.

Aluminum, which would similarly gain widespread acceptance, was introduced as a cable conductor during the thirties, but did not represent an significant portion of the market until the fifties, when a reduced supply of copper forced manufacturers to search for an alternative metal for civilian, military, and medical cables.

Manufacturers selecting aluminum to augment their copper shortage came at an opportune time in the country's development: the population was rapidly rising creating a boom in the housing industry; televisions and radios were being manufactured at unprecedented levels; a community antennae television (CATV) market was burgeoning; more automobiles were being manufactured; and electric power generation in the country was about to begin two decades of exponential growth. Wire and cable manufacturers served each of these markets, experiencing enviable growth as the nation enjoyed an age of prosperity. By the beginning of the 1970s, the industry had evolved into a $3 billion entity, primarily due to the growth of the national economy over the last two decades.

By the late eighties, manufacturers bought more primary aluminum than any other nonferrous metal to produce wire and cable products. As the wire drawing and insulating industry entered the mid-nineties, manufacturing activity resumed its prerecession levels.

From 1989 to 1993, American shipments of fiber optic equipment increased 13 percent every year, with industry observers calling for still greater growth through the end of the decade. In the mid-1990s, experts estimated the world market for fiber optic equipment to be $5 billion, a market in which United States manufacturers maintained a lead over European and Japanese producers, although the gap separating the from other manufacturers was shrinking. It was expected that this market to double in value by the end of the decade, promising lucrative profit potential for manufacturers of fiber optic cable. As the conventional markets supporting cable and wire manufacturers' core business once again fueled the industry's growth, those manufacturers able to afford the costly nature of exploring "next-generation" technology began turning to the production of fiber optic cable in increasing numbers. For more information about the wire and cable industry, please contact www.calmont.com.

How Medical Technology is Changing the World

Medical technology is one of the most important aspects of technological development as it is used directly in saving lives. Medical wire and other products are used to diagnose, monitor or treat every disease or condition that affects us. Advances in medical technology can go a long way towards saving lives. Innovative technologies have led to improved health care and patient outcomes, earlier diagnosis, less invasive treatment options and reductions in hospital stays and rehabilitation times.

Technological advancements in the medical field have greatly improved the efficiency of hospitals and other medical facilities. A good example is the computerization of medical records. This makes patient information more accessible and accurate. Now, there is no point in wasting paper. Instead, offices can organize all their information in an easily searchable computer database. In addition, it is easier to maintain patient confidentiality because the office can make sure that only select authorized individuals have access to a patient’s paper files.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and a good example of how technology ha changed the treatment and prevention of a disease over time. There is a lot of machinery involved in treating a heart attack patient. This machinery has come a long way and can help to save lives. In the 1970s, cardiac care units were introduced to manage irregular heartbeat and lower blood pressure. In the last decade, better tests have become available to diagnose the reason for a heart attack. In addition, new drug strategies have been developed to for heart attack survivors. From 1980-2000, the overall mortality rate from heart attack fell by almost 50 percent! This is thanks to advances in medical technology. Better medical wires and machines have come a long way to help reduce this mortality rates.

In today’s society, health care spending is a big issue. On one hand, everyone should have access to the best health care available. On the other hand, what happens when this new medical technology becomes too expensive per patient? Many treatments are long term and very expensive, even with insurance. However many medical advancements are being made to actually reduce costs! For example custom cables and wires in the medical field are becoming cheaper to mass produce. Also, some medical machinery is able to do the work that used to take several large, complicated machines. A good example is better anesthesia technology. Better anesthetic agents and practices have reduced the burden of surgery on patients, producing faster patient recoveries, shorter hospital stays, and fewer medical errors. These changes have actually reduced the cost per patient for many hospitals.

Whether talking about medical cable or other machinery, it is important to note the immense technological advancements made in recent years. It is important to continue to fund this research, not only to increase patient survival, but also to eventually reduce costs while increasing quality!

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