The Critical Role of Custom Connectors in Energy-Based and Diagnostic Medical Devices
The Critical Role of Custom Connectors in Energy-Based and Diagnostic Medical Devices
Why custom solutions and value engineering should be considered.
In today’s medical device industry, connectors are more than simple components, they can directly impact a device’s performance, reliability, manufacturability, cost, and time to market.
This is especially true for Energy-Based Medical Devices and Diagnostic Medical Devices, including radiofrequency ablation (RFA) systems, electrosurgical devices, pulse field ablation systems, laser therapy devices, and other advanced technologies. These devices often require connectivity solutions designed around highly specific electrical, mechanical, environmental, and sterilization requirements.
This is where Value Engineering can make a significant difference.
By evaluating connector design, materials, manufacturing processes, and assembly requirements, medical OEMs can identify opportunities to reduce costs, simplify manufacturing, improve reliability, and accelerate production without compromising the performance of the device.
Key Design Considerations for Medical Device Connectors
Reusable vs. Single-Use
- Reusable connectors require robust materials such as metal and high temperature plastics to withstand high reliability and sterilization cycles.
- Single-use connectors focus on cost efficient materials and design while maintaining safety and performance requirements.
Value engineering can help determine the appropriate materials and connector construction based on the device's intended lifecycle, helping avoid unnecessary costs while maintaining performance.
Contact Design
- Machined contacts are widely used in reusable applications.
- Stamped contacts are a cost-effective design for single use products.
Evaluating contact design through a value engineering approach can uncover opportunities to optimize both performance and cost.
Sterilization & Compliance
- Adhering to FDA, IEC 60601, and ISO 13485 standards are essential.
- Materials must be compatible with ethylene oxide (ETO), gamma radiation, and or autoclave sterilization.
Backwards Compatibility
With existing capital equipment in the field, custom solutions can be designed to mate with existing equipment to protect your capital investment.
Value Engineering for Medical OEMs
Value engineering helps medical OEMs optimize materials, connector design, performance, cost, and regulatory requirements based on the device’s intended lifecycle and manufacturing process.
Gii’s Approach to Purpose-BuiltTM Medical Connectors
At Global Interconnect, we develop custom-engineered solutions instead of selecting catalog components. Our Purpose-BuiltTM innovative designs help medical OEM achieve enhanced reliability and performance for reusable devices and the most cost-effective solutions for disposable devices.