The team at Northern Connectors explores some of the key factors to consider when selecting connectors for use in medical technology systems, and the benefits that can be realised by choosing the very best products for these highly specific applications.
Electronic systems and technology play an absolutely central role in modern medical practice. From X-ray machines to cutting-edge robotics, 21st century medicine is dependent on a variety of sophisticated electronic tools and devices, which must always perform with absolute precision and reliability.
As such, selecting high-quality components for use in the design of these systems must be seen as a top priority. Robust and versatile electrical connectors are needed to ensure that this lifesaving equipment continues to function without any interruption, even under intensive use or in environmentally challenging circumstances.
How are connectors used in medical applications?
Connectors are one of the most common and central components of any electronic system, and the same is true for medical technology. No matter the size or specific application of the medical device, high-quality connector components will be needed to reliably transmit power, data, and other electrical signals within the system.
Connector components therefore need to be selected carefully to ensure that control signals, sensor data, imaging information and power supply can be properly transmitted at all times. This applies to a diverse range of medical systems, including:
- Digital X-rays
- Electronic endoscopes
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Medical and surgical robotics
- Patient monitoring systems
- Portable blood pressure monitors
By choosing the right connectors for these applications, end users will be able to unlock a wide range of benefits, including better overall performance, a lower risk of technical failure, reduced maintenance requirements and a longer shelf life for the equipment. All of these will ultimately translate into greater operational ease and efficiency for medical staff, and better health outcomes for the patients themselves.
What to look for when sourcing connectors for medical use
Because every medical device is designed differently, the technical requirements of each application will differ in terms of voltage and current specifications, or the exact style and shape of connector that needs to be used.
However, there are several key attributes that will always be important to look for when sourcing connectors that are suitable for medical use:
Ease of use and installation
Medical technology is a field in which there is little acceptable room for error, so it is important to select connectors that help to avoid this. Many of the most popular connectors used in medical applications are designed with simplicity in mind: with straightforward snap-in or push-pull coupling mechanisms that do not require any specialist knowledge to fit them securely.
Additionally, clear visual marking and colour coding can also help to ensure that connectors can be fitted correctly at a glance, further minimising the potential risk of human error.
Physical robustness and long-term reliability
Connectors for medical technology need to be robustly designed and able to deliver guaranteed performance over a long period of time, without the risk of spontaneous failure or the need for constant replacement. As such, the best connectors for this sector are designed to ensure they can be disconnected and reconnected (known as “mating cycles”) many thousands of times without any degradation in their performance or reliability.
Strong environmental protection
Medical equipment is intended for use across a wide range of different environmental conditions, some of them extremely challenging. This includes devices for indoor and outdoor use, or in extreme temperatures. Additionally, these tools will often need to be thoroughly cleaned and sterilised between uses, with intensive chemical cleaning processes.
As such, connectors used with these devices will need to be fully sealable and offer the highest levels of ingress protection, usually up to the IP67, IP68 or IP68K standards. This will ensure the system is fully insulated against water, dust, and other contaminants, even when exposed to full immersion or high-pressure jets.
Appropriate design material
Achieving the robustness required for a medical-grade connector will often depend on the right material being used in the component’s design. High-performance plastics are the most common option, as these can provide the level of heat and chemical resistance required for medical use, while also being physically sturdy and easy to wipe down between uses.
Compliance with relevant regulatory standards
The entire medical industry is subject to the very highest standards of regulatory scrutiny, and medtech technology is no exception to this. Any medical device needs to be fully compliant with all of the relevant national and international standards governing the sector, to guarantee safety for end users.
To ensure that every part of the system meets all of the necessary requirements, it is essential to research these standards in advance when sourcing connectors for medical technology applications.
Keeping your medical technology up to date
One final key consideration when selecting components for medical applications is that this should be seen as an ongoing improvement process, rather than simply a one-time investment. Although the best connectors will reliably last for many years without disruption, it is vital to keep medical systems up to date, as new advances emerge, and on-site technology requires upgrading.
In the coming years, medical technology is likely to continue to get smaller and more compact, requiring investment in miniaturised connectors that can deliver the same performance within a smaller design. There is also a growing trend towards hybrid connection technology, which helps to consolidate space by transmitting multiple signals through the same assembly.
Speaking to a reputable connector supplier to help select the right components and develop the most sophisticated system design for your needs can ensure that your medical technology remains future-proof and fit for purpose. In doing so, you will be ensuring that these systems continue to play a key role in safeguarding public health and wellbeing for many years to come.
