Designing tomorrow’s unmanned vehicles and systems is a complicated job. Choosing the right sealing, connecting, conducting, and EMI/RFI shielding components can help you simplify it. For weight reduction and more efficient part fastening/removal, there’s the Bal Spring® canted coil spring. With its ability to mechanically latch, lock or hold, manage electrical current, and shield...
A manufacturer of surgical instruments is using Bal Spring® canted coil springs to give doctors new insight into critical spinal procedures. Massachusetts-based Life Instruments Corp. has designed the springs into its Radiolucent Cervical Retractor. According to the company’s president and CEO, Larry Foley, the springs act as “markers” under x-ray, and allow for the...
When a person suffers from degenerative disc disease, spine trauma, or cancer of the spine, the result is decreased stability that can produce pain — often severe — during normal activities. Surgeons will first attempt conservative measures such as cortisone injections and physical therapy to strengthen the muscles of the lower back, but if...
Bal Seal Engineering, Inc. has published an expanded guide describing the form and function of its custom-engineered seals, springs and electrical contacts, as well as the benefits of its engineering process. The 12-page guide, titled Sealing, Connecting, Conducting and EMI/RFI Shielding Solutions, uses photorealistic application images and descriptive insets to give readers a detailed look...
In the world of medical electronics, the title for biggest breakthrough goes to closed loop functionality. This technological milestone has helped device designers achieve new levels of active implantable performance, and it has driven change in three crucial areas: power conservation (providing stimulation only as needed through neural feedback), improved patient efficacy (adjusting therapy...
Orthopedic devices that contain canted coil springs can be cleaned by methods that meet FDA requirements. Two such validated methods are discussed below. Steve Twork, Global Market Manager, Medical Device According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), inadequate reprocessing of medical devices between patients can result in the retention of blood, tissue and...
Downhole tools are getting smarter. And while this is great news for users, it’s creating a whole new set of challenges for engineers tasked with designing them and making sure they consistently send critical well information topside. For years, electronics have been incorporated into actuators, sensors and other downhole gear to help identify...
By Steve Twork Can canted coil springs meet FDA regulatory requirements or OEM cleaning validation standards? This question was posed by a client when we recommended using our spring technology in orthopedic surgical instruments. Typically, OEMs validate and verify components during feasibility testing, but feasibility failures can add cost and offset your project...
When designing orthopedic and medical devices, engineers invariably encounter the same basic challenge: they need to connect two mating surfaces in a repeatable, predictable fashion. While this may sound like a straight-forward task, there are hundreds of different ways to accomplish it. Among the traditional fastening methodologies are ball detents, snap rings, molded...
