Swiss researchers have developed a new method for producing malleable microstructures – enabling vascular stents that are 40x smaller than previously possible. Such stents could be used to help widen life-threatening constrictions of the urinary tract of gestating fetuses.

Approximately 1 in every 1,000 children develop a urethral stricture, sometimes when they are still in the womb. To prevent life-threatening levels of urine from accumulating in the bladder, pediatric surgeons have to surgically remove the affected section of the urethra and sew the open ends of the tube back together. A stent inserted to widen the constriction would be less damaging to the kidneys while the fetus is still in utero.

Stents successfully treat blocked coronary vessels, but a fetus’ urinary tract is much narrower in comparison. Conventional methods couldn’t produce stents with small enough dimensions, which is why Kantonsspital Aarau pediatric surgeon Gaston De Bernardis approached the Multi-Scale Robotics Lab at ETH Zurich. The lab’s researchers have developed a method that produces highly detailed structures measuring less than 100µm in diameter.

Indirect 4D printing

“We’ve printed the world’s smallest stent with features 40x smaller than any produced to date,” says Carmela De Marco, lead author of the study and Marie Sklodowska-Curie fellow in Bradley Nelson’s research group.

The researchers use heat from a laser beam to cut a three-dimensional template – 3D negative – into a micro-mold layer that can be dissolved with a solvent. They then fill the negative with a shape-memory polymer and set the structure using ultraviolet (UV) light. Finally, they dissolve the template in a solvent bath and the three-dimensional stent is finished.

It’s the stent’s shape-memory properties that give it its fourth dimension. Even if the material is deformed, it remembers its original shape and returns to this shape when warm. The extra dimension generated the process’ name – indirect 4D printing.

“The shape-memory polymer is suitable for treating urethral strictures. When compressed, the stent can be pushed through the affected area. Once in place, it returns to its original shape and widens the constricted area of the urinary tract,” De Bernardis explains.

These stents are still a long way from finding real-world application. Before human studies can be conducted, the stents must first be tested in animal models.

Initial findings are promising, “We firmly believe that our results can open the door to the development of new tools for minimally invasive surgery,” De Marco concludes.

ETH Zurich
https://ethz.ch

DGST pneumatic mini slides offer a small footprint, high feed force, precision operation, and ease of installation for precision handling, press fitting, pick and place, and electronic and light assembly applications.

A backlash-free piston rod/yoke connection extends the slide’s service life. Maintenance-free twin-piston drives and high force capacity recirculating ball bearing guides provide the DGST with 2x the power of other slides – from 7.6 lbf to 132.6 lbf (34N to 590N) at 6 bar.

Cushioning and proximity sensors do not extend beyond the slide’s footprint. Three cushioning options are available. Two slides can be piggybacked in minutes by bolting the units together – adaptor plates are not needed. Locating port connections, end-position sensing, and precision end-position adjustment on one side contributes to ease of installation.

Festo
https://www.festo.com/us/en/

Micromo reorganized as Faulhaber Micromo

MicroMo Electronics Inc. has become a fully-integrated part of the Faulhaber Drive Systems division, providing high precision miniature motion systems to the North American market.

“This reorganization will ensure that Faulhaber Micromo can flourish and grow as a Faulhaber family-owned company for generations to come with one name and one vision which will enhance the benefit to our high-tech customers,” says Micromo President Ping Faulhaber.

The division remains under family ownership, including Ping Faulhaber, as a 100% subsidiary of Faulhaber Drive Systems, headquartered in Schönaich near Stuttgart, Germany.

Faulhaber Group
https://www.faulhaber-group.com

PHOTO COURTESY OF FAULHABER GROUP

Touch panels

Touch Panel 600 operator interface devices include high-tech screens and high-quality visualizations. A Cortex A9 multicore processor provides fast operating speeds. On-board security includes a built-in firewall and virtual private network (VPN) to help users address cyber-attacks. All panels have future-ready Linux operating systems and support HTML5 technology.

Each touch panel features an energy-saving standby function, integrated sensors for automatic brightness adjustment, and an easy-to-mount design.

Wago Corp.
https://www.wago.com/us/

PHOTO COURTESY OF WAGO

Mikron’s VX high-precision rotary transfer machine is a flexible production system for cost-efficient manufacturing of various batch sizes. The machine can pre-machine directly on wire or bar stock before cut-off and subsequently clamp on pre-machined surfaces. Subsequent operations can then be performed unattended, producing ready-to- assemble components. Maximum workpiece dimensions are 40mm x 40mm x 80mm (40mm x 40mm x 160mm, optional).

Mikron Corp. Monroe
https://www.mikron.com
SOUTHTEC 2019 Booth #1738

A smart knee prosthetic containing embedded sensors and connectivity allows doctors to analyze data in real-time, potentially speeding patient recovery. Additive manufacturing (AM) company EOS and Blockbox Solutions combined their respective expertise in 3D printing and sensor technology to create the customizable orthosis.

EOS officials say the full potential of Internet of Things (IoT) comes from leveraging AM, a technology that makes it easier to integrate intelligent and connected components. The combination of sensor technology, connectivity, and AM could expand digitization to new applications and business cases.

A recurring challenge

Torn ligaments, typically caused by wrong movements and excessive physical pressure on the knee, are one of the most common knee injuries and usually require a long recovery period with a risk of long-term disabilities. Recovery periods vary heavily based on the patient’s movement behavior. Putting too heavy a load on the knee too early can prolong recovery, as can not moving often enough. However, most patients don’t know what’s too much and what’s not enough. Feedback from a smart device could prevent overexertion or needless restrictions.

EOS Additive Minds specialists developed a knee orthosis to provide that feedback, working with sensor technology experts from Blackbox.

“We created a 3D-printed orthosis which can be customized and has integrated sensors and actuator,” explains EOS Additive Minds Manager Fabian Alefeld. “The orthosis, connected to a smartphone app, can now give live feedback via vibration actuator.”

A buzz warns patients when they are overexerting themselves, and the app stores the data, allowing patients to share recovery information with their doctors to guide treatment. Patients gain instant feedback when engaging in activities that could harm rehabilitation progress.

AM smart orthosis

Combining mechanical design elements with embedded electronics – microcontrollers, sensors, radio frequency (RF) connectivity – forms smart parts that could enable customized products. AM smart parts could enable:

• Precision designs
• Full customization
• Integrated sensors for rapid production
• Optimized end-user functionality
• Rapid time-to-market
• Fast ramp-up of small serial production
• Agile production

The proof-of-concept, 3D-printed knee orthosis with integrated sensors, data processing capabilities, and RF connectivity demonstrates how stakeholders in a product’s ecosystem can gain real-time insight and benefits from sensor data.

“We measured the angular position of the orthosis joint,” Alefeld explains. “This can also easily be transferred into the total number of movements a day and therefore activity. In future developments, a load sensor or even an accelerometer would add additional significant data points.”

Initial system requirements came from interviews with direct and indirect orthosis users – patients, doctors, and end-equipment manufacturers. Users told developers what data and/or information would be helpful to improve patient experience and doctors’ ability to provide real-time care.

PHOTO: EOS & Blackbox Solutions GmbH

Feedback, security, recovery

The prototype led to an embedded solution that can retrofit legacy orthosis by printing customized housing replacements with designed-in sensors. Sensors that measure angle and force combine high precision with a contactless approach, simplifying integration. WiFi and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication empowers real-time monitoring and can be controlled by connecting the device to computer networks. A personal mobile device acts as a user interface and controller.

Data analysis on remote, secure servers accessed with a mobile app or directly on the device leverages the integrated embedded computer. Sensitive data can be securely processed locally to protect user privacy and data security. Information collected can be accessed, analyzed, and secured via interfaces tailored for different users.

With Blackbox Solutions’ embedded electronics and user-interface prototype, the EOS team is investigating customized design requirements to retrofit sensor housings to add functionality to legacy orthoses.

Battery powered sensor technology and connected software will let patients and doctors monitor progress in real-time and guide rehabilitation to individual patients. Ongoing data collection will provide equipment manufacturers with user insights and product performance data, allowing refinement and advancement of future designs.

Conclusion

This illustrates AM’s benefits to design, functional sensor integration, and rapid production of customized parts while optimizing functionality for users.

Blackbox Solutions GmbH
https://www.bx-s.de

EOS
https://www.eos.info