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.
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
Packaging equipment controls
A global manufacturer of semi-automatic and fully automated flexible packaging machines tapped EmbedTek to improve the design of two embedded systems in one of their high-volume machines. The results helped them transform an error prone manufacturing process into a single SKU, quality-controlled environment with increased production.
Technical Considerations
Sourcing difficulties
Off-the-shelf and proprietary components
Touch screen computer housed inside an enclosure
Hard-wired push buttons for emergency stop
Complicated and labor-intensive assembly
Limited in scalability, which limited production
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.
Fitness PC, Display and Control Head
A fitness equipment OEM engaged EmbedTek to design and manufacture a highly integrated display head for a treadmill, elliptical and bike. Design requirements included 15.6″ and 10.1″ display options; PCAP multi-touch screen; international TV tuner and network interface; machine control for motor control, speed and incline, regenerative for bike applications, and an interface for dynamic braking; pulse and RF heart rate; all in an aesthetic and robust plastic and metal design. The final product can accommodate mounting to multiple models and feature requirements. EmbedTek supported the customer to submit domestic and international patents.
Technical Considerations
LCD and screen interface with liquid tight front LCD seal
- Write drivers for customer specified Linux Ubuntu to geographies and standards including ISDBT, DVB-T/C, DMB-T
- USB hub to interface to external devices
- AV interface and device charger
- Keypad interface
- ESD protected headphone jack and amplifier
- WiFi/Bluetooth interface
- Power distribution
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
