| All Flex at COMPAMED Booth C23 in Hall 8a Flexible Circuits for All Fields of Medical Device Technology After its first applications in implantable pacemakers and defibrillators in the 70s, today flexible circuits are used in a wide range of medical applications. Beside implantable medical devices flexible circuitry is also deployed in hearing aids, monitoring devices for heart rate, blood pressure or blood sugar rate. The circuits can be found in diagnostic equipment for ultrasound scanning, CT scanning or X-Rays and in many other modern surgery tools like electronic saws, ultrasonic scalpels or biopsy forceps. Reliable, Small and Efficient The benefits of flexible circuits in medical electronics applications are obvious: Flexible circuitry has inherent advantages because it eliminates connection points, thereby simplifying assembly and eliminating chances of human error or interconnect defects such as poor solder joints. The demand in the medical industry to make devices smaller and lighter makes flexible circuits ideal in applications when weight and space are a premium. Flexible circuitry is thin (total circuit thickness can be <.005") and can be easily bent to conform to tight spaces while interconnecting multiple planes. Flexible circuits can be built with narrow lines and spaces and are constructed with multiple layers. Since flexible circuits reduce the number of connections required, they can simplify and reduce assembly costs and are manufactured efficiently in high volume. Flexible circuitry has outstanding ability for dynamic bending or movement. This includes applications such as providing interconnection through a hinged device or maintaining connection through devices that expand, contract or telescope during use. The materials used in flexible circuits have proven to be bio-compatible in a wide range of applications. While implantable devices are fully sealed to eliminate contamination, non-implantable devices are used in applications requiring contact with human skin. About All Flex All Flex is a manufacturer of flexible circuit boards and specialized on quick turn manufacturing for prototypes and low to medium volume. Production is located at the headquarters in Northfield, Minnesota, USA. All Flex is ISO 9001: 2000 Certified and the flexible circuits can be manufactured for RoHS Compliance and UL Certification. All Flex also has the ability to manufacture flexible printed circuit boards to the Mil-P-50884D Specification. The company is also ITAR registered. Flexible circuits come into operation in applications of the medical, instrumentation, military, aerospace, industrial, and telecommunications industries. More information is available at www.allflexinc.com. Media Contact hueggenberg gbr Mandy Ahlendorf T +49 8151 55 50 09 11 E info(at)hueggenberg.com |
