New Approval:REPEL-CV Bioresorbable Adhesion Barrier

Creating an implantable device is a challenging engineering problem which, with time, usually yields to the engineer’s and scientist’s efforts. Getting one of these product on the market under time constraints can lead to trade offs and is always a delicate balance between the improvement of medical care and the profit motive. Finally [...]

Technology: Nitrogen Impregnated Diamond May Be Next Big Thing In MRI

The potential magnetic field sensing system improves on current technology by working at room temperature. The inclusion of the nitrogen, which also occurs naturally, creates a transducer which when impinged by an appropriate wavelength of green light flouresces red.  Plus or minus spin can be detected by minor variations in the amplitude of [...]

New HULC Has Potential Medical Applications

Military applications of technology often accelerate the development of technologies for civilian use.  The HULC by Lockheed is a good example of technology that could be translated to help people with weak muscle response such as those with Lou Gehrig disease, etc.  This marketing copy provides a good description.
“The HULC is a completely un-tethered, hydraulic-powered [...]

Tougher FDA Requirements for Class 3 Devices

Evidence of the tougher FDA stance expected from the new administration, reported here in a linked article, continues to mount as it reviews the previously allowed 510 K’s for Class 3 Devices. Although ordered by congress to become more stringent in approving Class 3 devices in 1990 the FDA has yet to implement the [...]

What Is The Most Important Type Of Question An Engineer Can Ask A Customer? Part II

Customer visits by a product development engineer are relatively rare events and as such need to be carefully planned.  To get the most out of them the engineer needs to understand some basic in the dynamics of interviewing for information.
As discussed in Part I few engineers know how to gather actionable information from customers effectively.   [...]