MEDICAL DEVICE APPLICATION EXAMPLES
EmbedTek has helped medical device manufacturers stay ahead without compromising efficiency. Our team delivers the performance and feature enhancements products demand, while engineering for manufacturability, regulatory compliance, and supply chain resilience. Below is a small sampling of intelligent solutions and platforms featuring technology applicable to the medical device industry.
Surgical Visualization System
A medical device manufacturer first engaged with EmbedTek to evaluate the communication inside a new line of surgical visualization tools. We established a trusted relationship with the customer by developing a new computer system that incorporated powerful graphics technology and conformed to the physical and design standards of the rest of the device. In 2016, EmbedTek became the FDA Registered Contract Manufacturer for the entire device.
Technical Considerations
Real-time video streaming to guide surgeons
- Capabilities for recording and editing images
- New, specialized positioning of the visualization tools
- Flow-through chassis
- Large fan with low acoustic footprint
- High-resolution camera and software
- Slim console
SOLUTION
Pharmaceutical Inspection
EmbedTek designed a suite of products to inspect and count pharmaceuticals. The project consisted of applications for both high speed and high-resolution cameras. The EmbedTek team utilized OpenCV as well as internally developed libraries to analyze the images. Mechanical and electrical designs created the appropriate imaging environment as well as transport the pharmaceuticals through a field of view.
Technical Considerations
Creative methods of capturing images using multiple lenses and mirrors allowing the necessary field of view and magnification levels to be achieved.
- Support vector machine (SVM) and machine learning to classify pharmaceuticals by attributes such as color, shape and size.
- Color correction and lens distortion correction methods.
- Software designed to integrate with the customer’s current software suite for consistency
- PCB to control stepper motors and interface them to the PC to provide proper synchronization between cameras and pharmaceuticals as well as triggers for strobes and cameras.
Pharmacy Automation Smart Shelves
EmbedTek engaged with a pharmacy automation and software company to develop a way to manage the inventory of pill canisters used in pouch and blister pack automation machines. The solution is a smart shelf with a pick light system. The shelves light up dynamically wherever a canister is placed – no need to fit inside a specific slot, no need to separate canisters and shelves by machine or have different readers for different manufacturers. Just look for the light.
Technical Considerations
- Require no modification of packaging machine
- Machine-to-canister communication
- Machine-to-shelf communication
- Enhance reliability
- Improve manufacturability
- Ensure single board failure would not disrupt system
- Remove organizational bottleneck outside machine
SOLUTION
Surgical Simulation Workstation
EmbedTek designed this long life workstation for surgical and ultrasound simulation devices. This flexible system accommodates high performance processors as well as legacy cards and application-specific I/O devices. It is designed for medical, scientific and other imaging applications and is ideal for any device built
around real-time motion capture with image analysis.
Technical Considerations
Low power Intel processor
- Platform combines the latest technology (GPU and processor) with support for legacy cards and I/O devices.
- Custom chassis allows us to control the physical footprint and mounting hole pattern in a medical cart. Future projects will have the exact same chassis.
- Stabilized the lifecyle of the workstation and COTS GPU with proactive obsolescence management and planning.
Portable AV Recorder
EmbedTek engaged with an OEM provider of a portable AV recorder and streaming device used to record, stream and archive content from lectures and special events. The existing product was failing at unacceptable levels at customer sites, endangering the OEM’s reputation and ongoing revenue. The customer also had made a significant investment in tooling for the plastic enclosure and had a large inventory of LCDs to consume.
First Generation Design IMprovements
- Rugged enclosure
- Reduced interconnect points and redesigned power distribution system
- Eliminated unnecessary internal mechanical features
- Replaced AC supply with DC power supply
- Incorporated flexible switched MiniPCI Express 2 way riser
- Validated timing and compatibility
- Prepared submission and managed the regulatory approval process for global shipment including UL, CE, FCC, CB Scheme and many additional country specific requirements for safety and emissions
Second Generation Design IMprovements
- Removed rotating media to increase reliability and reduce mechanical complexity
- Optimized cooling and hardware locations
- Custom injection molded polyethylene
- Simplified robust design
- Calibrated and validated PCAP sensitivity for use case and regulatory requirements
- Custom PCAP switch for power/suspend switch
MAterial handling Vision System
Engaged with an OEM provider of lift truck attachments to develop a wireless industrial hardened camera system. The system gives operators a real-time, close-up pallet view that they’ve never had before. Phase 2 of this platform will provide additional functionality, such as systems integration and using light detection and ranging (LIDAR) technology to gauge distance.
Technical Considerations
Real-time video streaming
Durability through constant raising and lowering
Highly engineered enclosure
High performance camera
Protection against shock and vibration
Protection against dust and water ingress
Power and communication
SOLUTION
