Standard and Custom Medical Wire

Every medical cable application is different so why settle for an off the shelf solution for a unique problem? I read quite a few discussion boards and find that when someone is looking for a specialized medical cable that the replies usually tell them to call Belden or Alpha. There is nothing wrong with Alpha or Belden however, keep in mind they mass produce generic wire and cable that covers a wide variety of uses and may not meet all your needs.
If you wanted to race in the Daytona 500, would you go to your neighborhood car dealer and buy a generic automobile to race? Of course not, you would build a custom car with the performance to handle the racetrack conditions, the type of race and your driving style. The same applies to medical cables, Your requirements are specific to your application which may include size, number and type of conductors, bio-compatibility, sterilization techniques or even a custom colored jacket.  Custom medical cables are designed specifically for your requirements and type of use.

Often for new designs and products, a small quantity is needed for prototypes, proof of concept or testing. Custom medical cable manufacturers understand this and normally have the capabilities to manufacture small runs of custom wire and cable. If your medical cable design is simple, ask your custom cable manufacture if they have any sample stock or over runs in stock that match your cable requirements.

Get the right cable for your medical device by contacting a medical cable manufacturer and discussing your needs and application. The more the cable manufacturer knows about your needs the better your design will be suited for you.

What to tell your custom medical cable manufacturer:

• Type of use – How the medical device will be used, the environment, will the cable be subjected to repetitive flexing, high temperatures or abrasion?
• Sterilization – Is the cable reusable or disposable? Will the cable be sterilized? If so how and how many cycles.
• Patient contact – What bio-compatibility requirements are needed? Explain the extent of patient contact with the wire or cable.
• Mechanical requirements – Voltage, temperature, flex cycles and EMI shielding. Will the cable experience repeated bending or twisting motion?
• Physical requirements – The number of conductors, size, plating, cable construction, shape and overall diameter.
• Expectations – Discuss what you want for performance and product longevity. Do you expect product lifetime to be 6 months or 6 years?

Medical Cables: What’s the difference?

Medical cables do differ from cables used in other industries. It isn't recommended to use standard/ generic wire and cable in your medical device design unless the wire or cable doesn't need to meet any medical requirements or is used internally in your device. Every industry has it's unique requirements when it comes to wire and cable. The medical industry is no exception. Medical wire and cable is readily available "off the shelf" however, many medical industry engineers turn to custom medical cables due to their application's unique requirements. What makes medical wire and cable different? Medical devices are designed to be precise whether it is for diagnostics, patient monitoring, surgical or provides imaging/video. Medical device cables may need to provide multiple functions with just one cable such as, data, power fluids or air. Medical cables can be complex or a simple design, in either case custom medical device cables offer the performance and longevity needed for this type of application.

Another unique feature of medical device cables is the insulation and jacket compounds are formulated to meet the specific requirements of medical applications such as:

• Sterilization - Sterilization techniques include autoclave, E-beam, chemicals to name a few. What insulation and jacket materials can withstand do vary and it is important to take this into consideration when designing your medical device. Sterilization properties chart is a helpful tool, but discussing your requirements with a custom medical cable manufacturer can save you research time.
• Bio-compatibility - Patient contact is another requirement for medical device cable. Contact can be from exterior to implantable. Medical wire and cable jacket compounds are available in many grades and the extent of patient contact should be discussed with your medical cable manufacturer.

Disposable or reusable?

Disposable cables are normally used for a limited usage and do not undergo repeated sterilization before being disposed. Disposable wire and cable are made of less expensive materials such as PVC. Reusable medical cables normally have to withstand anywhere from hundreds to over a thousand sterilization cycles.

Medical device wire

Medical device lead wires can also differ from generic wire. Sensors and monitoring devices are becoming smaller, wireless and their functions are more complex. Patient monitoring devices often require lightweight, small gauge, ultra flexible wire for patient comfort while being monitored. Patient monitoring devices are sometimes worn for long periods or even implanted. The need for small extremely flexible wire is becoming more evident with these types of medical applications.

A few examples of long term patient monitoring include:

• Fetal monitoring devices - Fetal monitors can be wired to a receiver or wireless for extended monitoring. The monitor is connected to a unit which sends information to a receiver allowing the patient to move freely. Small gauge very flexible wire and cable is used for this type of product.

• Sleep monitors - Patient comfort is important with this type of device. The ultra flexible wire need to be lightweight and a small gauge using flexible insulating materials such as TPE or silicone.

• Heart monitors - This type of long term device normally uses cables instead of lead wires. Heart monitor devices can be connected to an implant then to a battery/power pack or sending unit which sends information to a receiver/recorder. Cables may be required to send data, supply power, be flexible and be resistant to abrasion and cleaning solutions. Other types of heart monitors may be connected to sensors externally on the body for extended periods.

When considering your medical device wire and cable for your product be sure to speak with a custom medical cable manufacturer to find out what materials and construction will work best for your device.

High Voltage Wire- Robotics Wire Solutions

When you are in the market for robotics wire, it will be easy for you to find everything that you need if you know where to look. High voltage wire is a specialty item, but it is available online and you have many more options than you might have before. Getting your hands on the latest technology in wiring for robotics and other high-tech applications isn’t difficult as long as you take the time to look. Use the internet to your advantage to learn everything that you need to know and then some.

Robotics wire is used in many robotics and technology applications. There are a variety of different uses and industries that rely on this type of solution, allowing everyone to take advantage of technology in different ways. The most common industries include: healthcare robotics, military robotics, consumer robotics, and industrial robotics. Of course, whenever you need this type of high voltage wire, the application doesn’t matter so long as you find the right solutions and brands for your needs.

This isn’t something that you can just buy at the local hardware store. You really have to take the time to find specialty robotics wire solutions. These professionals know all about applications for this wire, how to buy it, and which styles and types are most in-demand. There are a lot of considerations that you have to think about when buying high voltage wire, including things like:

-Durability

-Flexibility

-Lifespan

-Strength

With the best wires, you will be able to trust that you are getting what you deserve. The wires should be made from specially compounds and materials that are placed over high-strength stranded alloy wires. It doesn’t matter what you have in mind because you can find twisted pairs, coaxial cables, hookup wire, silicone wire, and other solutions online.

Engineers and anyone working with welding or painting robots, rotary tables, conveyors, animatronics, or pick-and-place devices will be able to see the value of this type of wire. Robotics wire comes in all shapes, sizes, and lengths to give you everything that you deserve out of your investment, no matter what you have in mind. Make sure that you take the time to figure out exactly what you want and need because the internet makes it easy for you to get the best high voltage wire for every application, no matter what you have in mind.