5 considerations when specifying connectors for medical applications
Author : Rolf Horn | Applications Engineer | Digi-Key Electronics
01 August 2022
Designers of medical devices & systems need connectors that will help them address increasing complexity & smaller form factors, while at the same time ensuring high levels of reliability & performance under various usage models, Rolf Horn, Applications Engineer at component distributor, Digi-Key Electronics tells us here...
The full version of this tutorial was originally featured in the August 2022 issue of EPDT magazine [read the digital issue] and the Digi-Key Article Library. And sign up to receive your own copy each month.
Some connectors are inaccessible within the system, making reliability critical. Other connectors are regularly used by surgeons, physicians, nurses or technicians, so ease of use, and a high number of mating cycles are also important.
Depending on the application, connectors for medical devices and systems must comply with standards such as IEC 60601, ISO 80369-1 and ISO 13485 – but may also require severe environmental testing beyond typical industry standards and specifications. Along with a usable model and specific standards, design engineers need to consider technical tradeoffs between non-return-to-zero (NRZ) – also called pulse amplitude modulation 2-level (PAM2) – and pulse amplitude modulation 4-level (PAM4) connector technologies to arrive at the optimal cost and performance for their specific use case.
Designers have a broad range of connector types to consider when identifying the best solution. To assist in the process, this tutorial begins by briefly reviewing 5 important factors to keep in mind when specifying connectors for medical devices. It then presents some examples of connector options from electronic interconnect specialist, Samtec – before closing with an overview of application considerations when integrating connectors in high-speed systems…
1. NRZ versus PAM4...
2. Mechanical considerations...
3. Ease of use...
4. Industry standards: IEC 60601, ISO 80369-1 & ISO 13485...
5. Testing beyond industry standards...
Figure 2. A small selection of the variety of available contact pitches, terminations & sizes. (Image source: Samtec)
Connectors that handle 10,000 mating cycles...
High-density, high-speed connectors...
Connectors for PAM4 or NRZ...
High speed connector application considerations...
Conclusion
Selecting connectors for medtech devices and medical systems is an important and complex activity. Connectors need to be optimised to meet the mechanical durability, reliability and ease of use requirements, in addition to meeting the electrical specifications and supporting communications protocols, such as NRZ and PAM4. Adhering to relevant industry standards is important, but testing beyond the industry norms, such as with the Samtec devices mentioned here, is often needed to ensure the high levels of performance expected from connectors in medical devices and systems.
Read the full article in EPDT's August 2022 digital issue...
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