Silicone ‘skin’ for prosthetic liners

Shin-Etsu Silicones’ Select-Skin RTV elastomers combine skin-like feel and tough performance properties.

January 10, 2015
Manufacturing Group

Contract Manufacturing Devices/Implants/Equipment Materials Design/Engineering

Akron, Ohio – Shin-Etsu Silicones of America has recently introduced its new Shin-Etsu Select-Skin RTV Elastomers series for applications requiring a skin-like material with tough performance properties.

Select-Skin RTV Elastomers are comprised of two series: the “super soft” SES22330 (1:1 ratio) and the “tough skin” SES22230 (10:1 ratio). Both series are two-component, heat-cured, and addition-cure type silicone rubber compounds featuring low hardness, high tear strength, low viscosity, high elongation, and low tackiness. Each series offers three Shore 00 hardness options: the “super soft” SES22330 (10, 20, and 30) and the “tough skin” SES22230 (45, 55, and 65). Although all of the products are extraordinarily soft, they have a skin-like feel that is dry and not oily.

A notable advantage for Select-Skin in prosthetics is the ability to insulate longer by distributing peak socket pressures. When used in liners, the materials are ideal for protection from shear forces to reduce compressive stresses and the suspension of the prosthetic device. The materials can also be used to accommodate unique limb shapes and volume fluctuations.

Being translucent, Select-Skin can be readily pigmented for a customized appearance. The series’ fast cure time at room temperature reduces cycle time and improves productivity. Additionally, the material has an extended pot-life of up to 160 minutes.

According to SESA’s North America Marketing Manager, Eric Bishop, “The unique skin-like feel provides numerous performance advantages and creative aesthetic possibilities across a myriad of applications. The Select-Skin RTV Elastomer series’ resiliency and toughness delivers unparalleled durability across this span.”

Source: Shin-Etsu Silicones

Conductive coating for medical devices

Biotectix introduces a new conductive coating designed for medical devices that target cardiac and nervous system applications.

January 10, 2015
Manufacturing Group

Contract Manufacturing Devices/Implants/Equipment Cleaning/Surface Finish

Ann Arbor, Michigan – Officials at Biotectix a developer of conductive coatings for medical devices that aim to optimize the communication between devices and physiologic systems introduced a highly durable electro-conductive polymer coating.

The new coating called Amplicoat incorporates Photolink a proprietary surface modification technology developed by Eden Prairie Minnesota-based SurModics Inc. Designed to enhance communication at the interface between human tissue and a medical device’s electrode Amplicoat overcomes the limitations of other conductive coatings including poor durability difficult processing requirements and limited performance. The new coating can be easily applied to a variety of metal electrodes providing an optimal solution for numerous medical-device applications including neurostimulation cardiac pacing electrophysiology recordings cochlear implants and gastrointestinal recording and stimulation.

“Amplicoat is a true breakthrough technology that provides a durable electrode coating that conducts both ionically and electronically resulting in lower impedance and an expanded range for safe charge delivery“ said Dr. Sarah Richardson-Burns who co-founded Biotectix with Jeff Hendricks PhD.

Amplicoat enables device electrode miniaturization offering higher numbers of electrodes for a given-sized lead or device and providing greater tissue-sensing resolution as well as more localized stimulation control. The coating enables higher signal fidelity lower power requirements and reduced stimulation thresholds.

“I am very proud of the Biotectix team. The dedication and knowledge needed to commercialize this technology was significant” said Omar Amirana MD Biotectix CEO and senior vice president of Allied Minds the parent company of Biotectix.

Biotectix is currently working with customers to incorporate Amplicoat into their medical devices. In addition there are non-medical applications for conductive coatings which are currently under development at Biotectix.

Source: Biotectix LLC

Smart hearing aids

At the 2015 International CES, Siemens officials introduced smart hearing aids that work with both iPhone and Android devices.

January 9, 2015
Manufacturing Group

Contract Manufacturing Devices/Implants/Equipment Industry/Regulations People/Facilities Design/Engineering

Las Vegas, Nevada – At the 2015 International CES, Siemens is unveiling smart hearing aids—their latest in wearable hearing technology. The hearing aids can be discreetly controlled via both iPhone and Android devices, with latest models clinically proven to outperform people with normal hearing in background noise. When two hearing aids are worn (the most common case), Siemens’ new smart hearing aids utilize intelligent, two-way wireless communication to zero in on desired speech with pinpoint accuracy. This enables better-than-normal hearing in crowded situations like noisy restaurants and cocktail parties where background chatter has historically been a challenge.

“These are not your average hearing aids but rather highly-intelligent wearable devices,” said Scott Davis, CEO Siemens Hearing Instruments. “They automatically detect everyday listening environments such as a noisy room, wind, or while driving a car, and instinctively know what to do.”

When paired with Siemens’ new easyTek and easyTek App, a wearer can control the direction of the hearing aids’ microphones – front, left, right, or behind – to simultaneously enhance speech and suppress background noise. The span of the microphones’ focus can also be controlled via the app, allowing wearers to select a wide range of focus or a very narrow beam.

“Some hearing aid wearers also want the flexibility that comes with having control over their listening experience,” added Davis. “We’ve all heard of and can appreciate the benefits of on-demand TV. With these hearing aids, you can turn your iPhone or Android device into a hearing aid control center. We call it on-demand hearing.”

While Siemens’ new smart hearing aids pair with virtually any iOS or Android mobile device for a custom-tailored listening experience, a smartphone is not required to make use of the new technology. The hearing aids continuously scan the acoustic environment and activate the most optimal settings for that particular listening situation. For example, if you’re at a noisy family gathering, the smart hearing aids hone in on speech coming from the front while softening speech and noise from other directions. Later, if you’re out walking the dog, they automatically adjust so you can enjoy the sounds of nature.

Because both hearing aids are in constant communication and processing sound simultaneously, this creates a high-definition surround sound listening experience, with no manual adjustments required.

Source: Siemens