As the medical industry raises the bar with its digital data storage and record-keeping, increases its electronic medical data compilation exponentially, and improves diagnosis accuracy with AI—there are engineers enabling such manifestations of mechanical power, “brain power,” and other healthcare “wizardry,” such as wearable devices and the IoMD (Internet of Medical Devices), which were the stuff of science fiction only decades ago. This issue’s Product Focus features items related to the health and medical industry, including a data logger, a module for data communication, power supplies, and a DC/DC controller.
In medical-related news, Calgary Scientific recently announced an enterprise cloud strategy, which will support its global network of strategic partners as they adopt and implement cloud technologies. This includes some of the world’s largest companies in healthcare, plus a growing list in other industries that require secure and immediate access to complex data. “We are helping our partners to develop innovative solutions that combine data access, complex visualization, and collaboration, allowing professionals across multiple industries to unlock an ever-increasing amount of data,” said James Henry, president of Calgary Scientific. “By moving their enterprise viewers to the cloud, our partners can provide better access to users and can connect to quickly evolving services like machine learning. Calgary Scientific has deep experience in these technologies, and we are confident that we can assist our partners in their transition to the cloud.” ResolutionMD, Calgary Scientific’s healthcare enterprise viewer, is powered by the PureWeb software platform. This enables Calgary Scientific’s healthcare partners to run ResolutionMD on the cloud as well as in thousands of healthcare facilities worldwide, where it is installed now. The PureWeb platform is also driving the company into new markets beyond healthcare such as design and 3D interactive experiences. Sophisticated applications such as CAD and game engines can now be fully run on cloud servers and be accessed on web and mobile devices, creating new workflows in several industries while keeping the data remote and secure.
The MBN52832 Bluetooth low energy/NFC module enables ultralow power connectivity for data communication and is suitable for consumer products, home and building automation, appliances, proximity services, and medical/healthcare equipment, according to the vendor. The module integrates a Nordic Bluetooth low energy IC, RF front-end, and crystal into a small form factor. The built-in ARM Cortex M4 core with 64-kB RAM and 512-kB flash provides a high-performance engine and rich interfaces for a variety of IoT applications such as sensor networking and device control. This RF-certified module can help reduce the system designer’s burden and help to reduce the time-to-market. Its on-board PCB antenna supports an external antenna from a pin pad. Maximum transmit power is 4.0 dBm. Receive sensitivity is -93 dBm at 1 Mb/s (LDO mode). Murata Manufacturing Co.
Temperature and humidity data loggers
TCW210-TH data loggers, for remote temperature and humidity monitoring applications, can monitor up to eight temperature and/or temperature-humidity sensors of various brands and types (up to 24 parameters each) via either a 1-wire interface or the more robust Modbus RTU over RS-485. Four sensors can connect via Modbus, and another four can connect via 1-wire simultaneously. Utilizing an Ethernet interface for web and network connectivity, the device monitors real-time data for temperature, humidity, and dew point, and it records all monitored parameters using internal flash memory. The records can be made on set time intervals and/or on alarm conditions. The memory capacity allows at least 36 days to be logged, with data recorded once every minute. The log file can be periodically uploaded on a dedicated server by HTTP post. The logger utilizes a circular buffer in flash memory (up to 70,000 records). When it is full, the new data overwrites the oldest. The device is supported by Android and iOS applications as well as by the vendor’s remote and monitoring software TC Monitor, which provides a free license for up to 10 items. Applications include medical product storage and transport, datacenter and SOHO environment monitoring, cold chain monitoring (delivery trucks, distribution, storage centers, and retail stores), and industrial processes data logging. Teracom
The CUS150M Series AC/DC 150-W rated power supplies have the capability of operating in ambient temperatures of up to 85°C without the need for forced-air cooling. Certified to medical and ITE standards for Class I and II (no earth ground connection) operation, the product meets both curve B radiated and conducted emissions. CUS150M target applications include medical, home healthcare, dental, test and measurement, broadcast, and industrial equipment. Initially available with 12-V, 24-V, and 48-V outputs, (15-V, 18-V, 28-V and 36-V models to follow in Q1 2018), the CUS150M operates from 85 to 264 VAC and has operating efficiencies up to 91%. Off-load power consumption is less than 0.5 W, and a 10- to 12-V 0.5-A fan supply is fitted as standard. The product warranty is five years. The open-frame version is in the industry standard 50.8 x 101.6 mm (2” x 4”) footprint with a height of 31.5 mm. Convection cooled, it can deliver 120 W at 40°C, or with forced air cooling 150 W at 50°C, 140 W at 70°C, and 75 W at 85°C. With a U-channel construction, measuring 64 x 116 x 38.5 mm, the CUS150M can be conduction-cooled via a cold plate to deliver 150 W at 50°C, 100 W at 70°C, and 50 W at 80°C. Cover or top fan options are also available. Input to output isolation is 4 kVAC (2 x MoPP), input to ground isolation is 1.5 kVAC (1 x MoPP), and output to ground isolation is 1.5 kVAC (1 x MoPP), making the series suitable for B- and BF-rated medical equipment. Touch current is a maximum of 100 µA, with leakage current less than 250 µA. 5,000 m is the maximum operating, transportation, and storage altitude. TDK-Lamda, Teracom
DC/DC Controller
The Power by Linear LTC3777, a 150-V high-efficiency (up to 99%) 4-switch synchronous buck-boost DC/DC controller, operates from input voltages above, below, or equal to the regulated output voltage. Its 4.5-V to 150-V input range operates from a high input-voltage source or from an input that has high voltage surges, eliminating the need for external surge-suppression devices. It is suitable for transportation, industrial, and medical applications. To prevent high on-chip power dissipation in high-input-voltage applications, the LTC3777 integrates a low-quiescent-current high-efficiency switching bias supply for its internal power consumption. The output voltage of the LTC3777 can be set from 1.2 V to 150 V at output currents up to tens of amps, depending on the choice of external components. Output power up to 500 W can be delivered with a single device. Higher powers can be achieved when multiple circuits are configured in parallel. The LTC3777 employs a proprietary current-mode control architecture for constant frequency in buck, boost, or buck-boost modes. The operating frequency can be synchronized to an external clock from 50 kHz to 600 kHz, while an input/output constant-current loop provides support for battery charging and overload protection. The user can select either forced continuous mode or discontinuous mode to maximize light-load efficiency. Additional features include seamless transfers between operating regions, a power-good output voltage monitor, adjustable soft-start, and input overvoltage lockout, and output voltage disconnect during shutdown. Analog Devices
A new line of high-performance liquid-cold plates are constructed with an innovative fin design, featuring an optimized aspect ratio, which offers more than 30% improvement in thermal performance compared with other commercially available cold plates, according to the vendor. The cold plates are lightweight and compatible with industry-accepted coolants. They have been leak-tested to 100 psi and feature industry-standard inlet/outlet hole sizes for hassle-free connections. Customization is available to meet the specific requirements of your design, including size, hole patterns to accommodate different devices, and connections for device mounting. The internal fin structure enhances the surface area to maximize heat transfer with low pressure-drop characteristics. The fin structure also provides uniform cold-plate surface temperature to optimize the cooling of high-powered devices, such as an IGBT. The liquid-cold plates are suitable for cooling high-powered electronics, IGBT modules, lasers, wind turbines, motor devices, automotive components, medical equipment, and any application where liquid cooling is needed. Advanced Thermal Solutions
The expansion of the SML32S Series of wirewound, shielded, molded RF surface- mount inductors in the 1210 style increases the number of individual parts in the series by more than 20% and broadens the inductance range by adding values from 120 to 470 µH. The expansion was done in order to address the market need for higher inductance shielded inductors in RF applications. Shielded inductors are used specifically in applications where the close proximity of circuit-board components requires the inductor to be shielded to minimize interactions and ensure performance of the overall system. Such inductors are used for radio-frequency applications in commercial, medical, and military applications. That includes use in communication, guidance, security, radar, and test and evaluation applications. The performance range provided by the expanded SML32S series includes inductance from 0.1 µH to 470 µH, DC resistance from 0.15 Ω to 25 Ω, and DC current rating from mA 91 to 1,175 mA. There are two core types in the series: powdered iron or ferrite. The series operating temperature range is -55°C to +125°C. Gowanda Electronics