For Every Application: Medical and Military Cables

Cable and extrusion devices for applications serve a vital role in critical fields like health and national security. In fields ranging from heart surgery to military communications, wire devices supply equipment with electrical power and transmit data. Many kinds of materials are used to transmit electrical energy, but those most frequently specified in medical wires and military wires are copper, copper-covered steel, high strength copper alloys, and aluminum. For more unusual applications, conductors are fabricated from pure nickel, pure silver, copper-covered aluminum, and a host of metals, metal alloys, and metal combinations as dictated by the application.

Here are details on the most widely-used types of materials found in silicone cables and wires for various applications.

Copper – Copper is by far the most widely used conductor material in the industry. Among its physical properties are high electrical and thermal conductivity, ductility, malleability and solderability, high melting point, and high resistance to corrosion, wear and fatigue. Copper is also cost-effective when compared to other conductive materials commonly used in military and medical cables.

Copper-covered steel – Copper-covered steel combines the conductivity and corrosion resistance of copper with the strength of steel. Three types are presently available, differing primarily in method of producing the composite metal. In one type, molten welding permanently bonds the two components; in another, a copper layer is electroplated over a steel rod; and in the third, the copper and steel are metallurgically bonded.

High-Strength Alloys - Though more expensive than copper-covered steel wires, copper alloy conductors are specified because they permit significant size and/or weight reductions especially important in computer and aerospace applications. They offer high breaking strength and greater flex life with only a small increase in DC resistance. Cadmium-chromium copper, cadmium copper, chromium copper, and zirconium copper are most frequently used.

Stainless Steel - Stainless steel is used for medical lead wires and cables. Stainless steel has poor conductivity compared to copper and may have to be gold plated to improve the conductivity.

The QPL (Qualified Products List) is a listing that identifies both materials and suppliers whose materials are approved for use on certain federal or government projects without the need for any additional documentation or testing. On the QPL, only specified manufacturers are approved to make selected parts for federal, military or airframe applications because they have proven they can produce the standard products to particular requirements. If a federal agency needs to purchase a product, it will seek out businesses that already have products on the suitable QPL. For additional information on military and medical wires, please contact www.calmont.com to learn more.

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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Meeting the Needs of the Medical Advances of Today and the Future

Medical wire has multiple uses in treating various conditions. It comes in various widths and made of various materials. Silicone wire is only one example. The exact specifications depend on the condition the doctor is treating and the equipment involved in the treatment. Many times treatment requires a flexible wire to snake through various veins or ducts in the body. This flexible cable allows doctors to perform procedures with minimal invasive techniques. Thin wires have many uses in the medical field. Let's look at a few of them.

One common use of medical wire is in patient monitoring. Whether it involves measuring electrical activity of the heart with an EKG or measuring the firing of neurons in the brain through an EEG, these wires help monitor patient health. Most applications require flexible wire since they often require placement in tight or odd places. Getting the right flexible cable is important when placing sensors on the skin to measure heart or brain activity. Often silicone wire leads the way since it provides a nonmetallic surface. No matter how the wire is used, finding the right wire is very important in medical procedures.

Another common use for medical wire is in electrosurgical equipment such as lasers and instruments which doctors use for microsurgery. Many wires are no wider than a human hair. Some are only a fraction of that size. Even at this small sized flexible wire is required since doctors often put it in very tight spaces. When fished through the human body, it needs to move through human organs or veins to the final destination. That is why flexible cable is one of the most important medical advances made in recent decades. It allows doctors to get down to the lowest levels of the human body without invasive procedures. Silicon wire is another important advance.

Whether you need flexible wire or silicone wire, it is important to find a good supplier. Medical wire must be cost-effective yet of high quality to meet the needs of modern medicine. With hundreds of uses, flexible cable is something that modern medicine needs for advanced treatment. There are many other uses for medical wire such as endoscopy, laparoscopy, thermometry, medical robotics, medical imaging, diabetic treatment devices, and many other medical needs. Well into the future, this form of wire will be important. For the best results, manufacturers must rigorously test this wire to make sure it will stand up to the pressures of the medical world

How to Choose Custom Wire and Cable

Buying custom cables and wires is often a difficult task as most people don’t know the difference between different types. First of all, the words “cable” and “wire” cannot be used interchangeably. Cable refers to two or more wires or conductors grouped together in a jacket. Conductors are a very important part of the cable. They are usually made of copper or tinned copper because these materials are reasonably priced. In general, cables have a “hot” line which carries the electrical current and a “neutral” line to complete the loop. In addition, a third wire acts as a grounding wire. One of the most popular insulation jackets for cables is silicone. Silicone cables are very useful, especially in the military and medical fields because it is extremely heat and cold resistance. Different cables are built to withstand different temperature thresholds. It is important to know what temperatures the cable will be exposed to when deciding what kind of insulation to buy.

In addition to insulation, flexibility is an important consideration when buying custom cables. Flexible cable comes in all shapes and sizes. It can serve a wide variety of purposes. Flexible cable is often an important part of electrical and electronic equipment in military and industrial settings. In addition, it is very important in the medical field. Flexible cable can fall into three main categories. Industrial flexible cable, flexible cable used for electronics, and specialty flexible cable. When looking for flexible cable, one must decide what gauge is needed as well as how long it needs to be. In addition, factor in the maximum and minimum temperatures under which the wire will operate as well as what conductivity will be needed. Many industries have standards which must be met in the case of cables and wires. For example, if something goes wrong in the medical field because the cable was not flexible enough can result in a lawsuit or other problems. These standards are often very rigid and must be met. To meet these standards, it is important to find a trusted company to create custom wires and cables.

There is flexible wire and there is super flexible wire. Super flexible wire is usually used in the military and medical markets. When buying super flexible wire, it is important that it has a long flex life and a high flexure index level. Basically, it should be able to be stretched far and often. It should also be moisture resistant, abrasion resistant, and deformation resistant. Companies like Calmont provide super flexible wire with all the properties needed in high strength applications such as critical life support monitoring, sensor leads and continuous flexing in computer peripheral equipment. One can contact a custom cable company to find out what kind of cable is best for the required applications.

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