21Nov 2017 by sam tilkins
Eye, Blood, and Joint Fluid Traveling Devices- Where Micro Molding Meets 3D Printing

Eye, Blood, and Joint Fluid Traveling Devices- Where Micro Molding Meets 3D Printing

Isometric, News
Eye, Blood, and Joint Fluid Traveling Devices- Where Micro Molding Meets 3D Printing It’s long been known that micro vs. macro physics have thwarted some efforts to create micro components and assemblies.  The study of Newtonian (fixed viscosity) and Non-Newtonian fluids (variable viscosity) fluids have an unique impact on developing and scaling drug delivery devices and body-fluid flow.  Non-Newtonian fluids can be found in the blood, the eye, and in joint fluid and micro implants, swallowable devices, and tiny motion devices can be helped along with a change in viscosity. This research also brings 3d printing and micro molding technologies together, which will happen more and more as the 3d printing and materials very quickly are developed.  Isometric is excited to be positioned well in this market space.  Kudos to Max…
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07Nov 2017 by sam tilkins
The Four Legs That Drive MICRO Success

The Four Legs That Drive MICRO Success

Articles, Isometric
The Four Legs That Drive MICRO Success The “four legs” that support Isometric Micro Molding are micro molds, micro injection molding, micro automation, and CT scanning. When a moldmaker serving injection molders of medical parts decided to get into micromolding itself, the first priority was to obtain the right equipment. For Isometric Micro Molding, Inc., New Richmond, WI, that meant buying the right injection machine, using its existing microautomation expertise for post-mold handling and assembly, and obtaining something still quite rare among custom molders—a CT scanner for process validation and in-process inspection. The firm started out in 1990 as Isometric Tool & Design Inc., building molds for producers of medical and drug-delivery components. Its medical OEM customers needed assistance with micro-sized parts, so the firm purchased a building across the street…
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12Oct 2017 by sam tilkins

What is Micro Molding?

General, Isometric, News
What is Micro Molding? What is the difference between micro injection molding and standard molding? More than just extremely small and precise components, micro molding is a complete process that includes precision micro mold building and micro automated assembly.  Learn more about Isometric Micro Molding's in-house micro solutions and impressive portfolio of micro components. Ready to start your own micro project? Contact us HERE. https://youtu.be/h465Px9-KpI
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27Sep 2017 by sam tilkins
What is a Brain Perfusion Phantom?

What is a Brain Perfusion Phantom?

General, Isometric, News
A brain perfusion phantom is a 3D printed plastic brain that allows surgeons to practice mechanical thrombectomies. A mechanical thrombectomy is a procedure where surgeons thread a wire from the chest, through the neck, and into the head to pull clots out of the brain of a stroke victim. As you can imagine, there are a lot of risks associated with this procedure, like the wire loosening another clot from the wall of the artery and it lodges in the heart, lung, or brain. Computer simulations of this procedure exist but are extremely expensive to purchase for med students to use. And as you can imagine, neurosurgeons need extensive training on this procedure before working on a human being. That is why a UConn Health radiologist and a medical physicist…
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20Sep 2017 by sam tilkins
Tiny Medical Devices – Designing for Success (part 2)

Tiny Medical Devices – Designing for Success (part 2)

General, Isometric, News
Tiny Medical Devices – Designing for Success (part 2) VALIDATION Picture this – your medical device is designed and you’re ready to validate the tiniest component – the technology piece that enables your intellectual property. You dive in headfirst, knowing your part has +/- 5 micron tolerances on a plastic part. You start like any engineer would start – with a solid stack-up tolerance plan and <20% gage R&R – you should be fine, right? Consider this general micro molding rule of thumb – BEFORE you even design the injection mold. If you work backward with the numbers, you’ll have ~0.0004” total tolerance Total   10 microns = (0.000397”) Tooling = 20% of 10 microns = 0.00008” (wow, really? This is difficult to do but SO critical to hitting the final…
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28Jul 2017 by sam tilkins
The Merging of Medical Device Manufacturers and the Pharmaceutical Industry

The Merging of Medical Device Manufacturers and the Pharmaceutical Industry

General, Isometric, News
The Merging of Medical Device Manufacturers and the Pharmaceutical Industry As product technology advances and the general demand for healthcare expands, the industry line between medical device manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies is being blurred as innovative products continue to emerge. Manufacturers are exploring new technologies that adhere to better patient compliance, improve product safety and utilize unique drug delivery methods. These new technologies include:- Small adhesive patches that are encapsulated and swallowed. Once in the body they dissolve and stick to the wall of the intestine to deliver time-released medication- Implantable devices that automatically run tests and dose medications- Transdermal patches that are embedded with micro-sized needles that deliver medication over a period of time As technology advances and healthcare treatments become more complex, the pharmaceutical and medical device industries…
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13Jul 2017 by sam tilkins
Micro Scale Manufacturing

Micro Scale Manufacturing

Isometric, News
The Big Trend For Small Devices is Drug Delivery One day in the late 1980s, Donna Bibber looked over the shoulder of a “mad scientist” colleague at Corning Life Sciences – he was working on lab-on-a-chip technology, and Bibber realized that it could be a game-changer. She is now Vice President of Isometric Micro Molding, which addresses the growing market need for expertise in device miniaturization. Isometric specializes in making and assembling tiny components, primarily for medical device companies. Some of the work is quite experimental – only around one approach in ten gets taken to the next level – and, as Bibber puts it, they have to “kiss a lot of frogs.” Bibber divulges the current trends and challenges in the world of the production of micro-scale drug delivery…
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07Jun 2017 by sam tilkins
Medtronic Executive Joins Isometric Micro Molding

Medtronic Executive Joins Isometric Micro Molding

General, Isometric
Isometric Micro Molding, Inc. announced today the hiring of Scott Robinson as Engineering Manager-Development. Mr. Robinson most recently served as a Program Manager and Engineering Manager for Polymer & Feedthrough Development at Medtronic Energy & Component Center (MECC) in Minneapolis, leading large development projects. Scott’s career spans over 20 years in medical device development where he has obtained 17 patents related to medical device components. “Scott brings an incredible depth and breadth of high precision medical device experience to Isometric, and will play a key role in helping us scale the company to unprecedented levels.” Donna Bibber, CEO As Engineering Manager-Development, Mr. Robinson will have accountability for the full development cycle of medical and drug delivery devices. He will also drive projects through tooling and molding development to validation, providing…
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26May 2017 by sam tilkins
Tiny Medical Devices – Designing for Success

Tiny Medical Devices – Designing for Success

General, Isometric, News
It’s highly likely that you, as a designer, will run across a part that makes your existing molding supplier sigh, cringe or even groan. It’s times like these that you need to listen to those body sounds and seek out experienced micro manufacturers that work on tiny dust specks every day. Tiny medical devices, micro parts with challenging geometry, wall thickness, L:D or L:T ratios, or multiple materials are welcomed by those experienced and versed in the proven process of success. This “Proven Process” is broken down into a series of proven steps that will fit most tiny medical component and assembly designs. We will break down this Proven Process in five key areas, easily remembered by the letters “V.I.T.A.L”: V: ValidationI: InspectionT: ToolingA: AutomationL: Learning These vital steps will…
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27Apr 2017 by sam tilkins
Miniaturized Medicine on the Rise

Miniaturized Medicine on the Rise

General, Isometric, News
It doesn’t take a brain surgeon (wait, yes it does) to understand the need for tiny devices that can maneuver in delicate tissue, tiny arteries, rigid ligaments, or membrane-like scaffolds. The trend continues and the corresponding need for micro components and assemblies that enable devices across all medical and drug delivery market segments. Some of these devices are as follows: Neurology:• Aneurysm Prevention• Robotic Surgery Devices• Cranial screws• Neuro stimulation• Drug Development Transfection Nozzles    Endocrinology:• Glucose Monitoring Needle Assemblies• Insulin Delivery Sheaths    Oncology:• Drug-infused membrane patches• Needle Arrays• Transdermal patches    Ophthalmology:• Macular Degeneration Laser Nozzles• Aspirators• Capillary Nozzles• Glaucoma Drains• Intraocular Implants• Punctum Plugs• Intraocular Slow Release Drug Delivery Implants Cardiology:• Catheter tips• Biopsy jaws• Robotic Surgery Devices• Ligation Clips Orthopedics:• Bio-resorbable implants• Biomimicry devices• Suture anchors•…
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