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8 August 2012 Interconnection

The medical industry is complex, highly regulated and prioritises patient safety. Medical devices used in surgical operations must conform to strict international standards of cleanliness, biocompatibility, stability, packaging and traceability.

Those used in electrosurgery, whereby high-frequency electric current is applied to cut or burn soft biological tissue, also have to meet stringent electrical requirements, especially for voltage and shielding. To this end, Fischer Connectors has 50-years of experience in collaborating closely with medical OEMs to develop innovative medical systems and devices.

Medical OEMs are demanding customers who want long-term partners who understand their challenges and needs. They expect compliance with medical device standards (ISO 13485:2003, for which Fischer is certified) and electrical standards (IEC 60601). They need reliable components for reusable or disposable medical devices, used anywhere from hospital emergency rooms to outpatient settings.

Powered surgical devices (PSDs) require high power, e.g. in orthopaedics to drill, cut or saw bone. Electrosurgical devices (ESDs) require high precision, e.g. in ophthalmology to cut, burn or cauterise soft eye tissue. Fischer’s connectors play an important role in meeting power/precision and safety requirements in many medical applications, including new opportunities in implantable, portable and disposable devices.

Fischer’s products have a track record for quality, performance and reliability, clearly demonstrated by customer safety tests and homologation. The company can also cater for flexible approaches, e.g. developing special insulator or pin configurations to meet specific power, data or hybrid requirements.

The Fischer Original and AluLite series are popular reusable metal connectors which are sterilisable and available in an extensive range of body styles and contact configurations. They feature mechanical coding and keying systems, push-pull and emergency release, and are usable with low/high-voltage, fibre-optic, coax/triax and hybrid/fluid/gas contact types.

Also available are the UltiMate (metal) series of sterilisable connectors with hermetic sealing to IP68/69K, 360° EMC shielding, and mechanical and visual coding; as well as the 405 and 4032 (plastic) options with keying systems, fully insulated bodies and push-pull locking systems (405 is sterilisable). Disposable connectors include LUC (plastic).

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