19Dec 2017 by sam tilkins

Super Hydrophobic and Super Hydrophilic Microfluidic Surfaces

General, Isometric
Super Hydrophobic and Super Hydrophilic Microfluidic Surfaces Polymer micro molding is a scalable and economic method of manufacturing devices with microscopic surfaces, in particular super-hydrophobic and super-hydrophilic microscopic surfaces. These surfaces are created using microscopic and repeated geometric patterns (tiny cylindrical posts and channels).  These features can be fabricated to work collaboratively on the same surface to promote fluid flowing in some areas or prevent fluid flowing in other areas of a device.   Applications requiring these types of microscopic surfaces include: bacteria prevention, cellular adhesion, tissue adhesion, tissue or cartilage growth promotion, frictional drag reduction, wear reduction, and seal and barrier strength applications.  These surfaces also no longer require secondary coating applications which prevent handling and possible surface contamination, simplify sterilization methods, and save device costs. Talk to our plastics…
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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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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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10Mar 2017 by sam tilkins
Secrets of Success in Micro Molding – part 2

Secrets of Success in Micro Molding – part 2

General, Isometric, News
Micro Molding: High Aspect Ratio, Thin-Wall Micro Molded Devices Secrets of Success in Micro Molding - Part 2 The smallest components in a medical device or drug delivery device are often the enabling components of the device. Examples of these devices are Polymeric needles, catheter sheaths, microfluidic channels, endoscopic links, and PCR wells. As the components of these devices get smaller, the tolerances and wall thicknesses follow suit. Tolerances of +/- 5 microns (~+/- 0.0002”) and wall thicknesses of 25-250 microns (0.001”-0.010”) are common. Although challenges exist in creating these tolerances in both the steel mold and the micro molded components, the determining factor for wall thicknesses this thin is dependent on the aspect ratio, where the wall thickness is with respect to gate location and end of fill. The…
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23Feb 2017 by sam tilkins

Secrets of Success in Micro Molding – Part 1

General, Isometric, News
Secrets of Success in Molding - Part 1 Medical-device, electronics, and biopharmaceutical manufacturers need new micro-molded products to create tinier, less invasive, and/or space-saving micro devices. Micro-molded components can be as small as dust specks and/or have features that small. State-of-the-art micro parts can have molded features such as dimples around 3 microns in depth and diameter—more than 80 million of them across a surface the size of a microscope slide. The tiniest parts in an assembly are the ones most likely to be a challenge and are also usually the enabling component of the entire device’s form, fit, and function. Similarly, micro tooling created by micro machining is critical to these parts ever making it to validation. Many new advances in micro-machining technology are enabling the design and manufacturing…
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