02Jan 2020 by sam tilkins
Scalability of Micro-Intraocular Implants and Devices

Scalability of Micro-Intraocular Implants and Devices

Articles, Isometric
Scalability of Micro-Intraocular Implants and Devices Donna Bibber discusses some of these micro-intraocular implants and devices and the scalability challenges associated with each, from the perspective of a plastics engineer. Recent developments and new-to-market intra-ocular devices and implants have led to the successful treatment of a number of ophthalmological conditions of varying seriousness and complexity such as: Glaucoma Cataracts Retinal detachment Diabetic retinopathy Age-related macular degeneration Uveitis Dry-eye syndrome. Treatment of these conditions often requires collaboration between ophthalmological surgeons, pharmacologists, and micro-specific contract manufacturers. Development of these devices and implants occurs through a large number of highly focused, research-driven specialists, including and micro fabrication specialists, such as: Small, innovation-support funding programs Development companies that easily find a large marketing partner Big pharma funding the outsources of the development instead of…
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28Feb 2019 by sam tilkins
How to Approach Today’s Micro Moulding Challenges Part 1: Tooling-the Enabler

How to Approach Today’s Micro Moulding Challenges Part 1: Tooling-the Enabler

Articles, Isometric
How to Approach Today’s Micro Moulding Challenges Part 1: Tooling-the Enabler Challenges in micro molding have not changed much at all in the past 20–30 years. The solutions to these challenges, however, have changed significantly. The most challenging attribute for micro molding matches up with the highest risk mitigation factor—tooling. For this reason, the top 10 micro molders in the world have in-house tooling design and fabrication capabilities. Outsourcing a micro moulding project to a micro moulder that has in-house tooling obviously mitigates the aforementioned risk significantly. Additionally, contracting such a company to not only design and fabricate but also maintain the mould for the life of the programme makes absolute sense in terms of mitigating long-term risk. This is because having made them, they know exactly how to handle…
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12Jun 2018 by sam tilkins
Microns Matter® Proven Process in Medical Micro Molding

Microns Matter® Proven Process in Medical Micro Molding

White Papers
Isometric's Microns Matter® Proven Process for Medical Micro Molding Micro molding for critical applications requires extreme precision and a consistent, proven process. After all, micro-sized components are often the key enabling elements of Class II or Class III medical devices and drug delivery devices which, because of their size, often require micron-level tolerances. With 30 years’ experience in micro injection molding, Isometric Micro Molding has developed a best-practice risk assessment strategy called “Microns Matter®”, which is used for the development and high-volume production of critical-to-function micro molded devices. The Microns Matter® Approach The Microns Matter® process follows a Japanese-like strategy — essentially, “plan, plan, plan, execute”.  The axiom “fail to plan, plan to fail” is never more accurate than when it's applied to micro manufacturing projects. But the failure of…
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05Feb 2018 by sam tilkins
5 Steps to Micro Molding Success

5 Steps to Micro Molding Success

White Papers
Microns Matter® 5 Steps to Micro Molding Success With over 30 years of experience in micro injection molding, Isometric Micro Molding has developed a unique 5-step risk assessment strategy called, "Microns Matter®". This proven process is especially important for the successful manufacturing of medical devices, from the development stage to high-volume production of these critical-to-function micro molded devices. Vertical integration and transparency are key to our unique risk mitigation. We've repeatedly heard from OEMs that it's not uncommon for micro-molding suppliers to say that the work is “proprietary”, contains “trade secrets” or, “you can’t see that part of the process”.  This level of secrecy leaves a large gap in design history files, which can result in increased design and clinical trial resources, time, and, in many cases, a restart with…
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19Dec 2017 by sam tilkins
Biosensors Use Hand Held Micro Spectroscopy to Detect Cancer

Biosensors Use Hand Held Micro Spectroscopy to Detect Cancer

Isometric, News
Biosensors Use Hand Held Micro Spectroscopy to Detect Cancer PCR, Assay Plates, Well Strips, and thin-walled PCR tips and wells have long been on the market and serving a scientific purpose.  Micro molded micro surfaces and tiny polymer components are a scalable and economic method to produce these biomedical and laboratory disposables. Fast forward to the future where we are using biosensors and micro spectroscopy in a hand held device to discover cancer cells.  Once again, micro molding and automated micro assembled devices enable the technology to obtain and analyze large amounts of data quickly with less capital expenditure.  This research by WSU is on the leading edge of discovery and development of this amazing and global health solution. The continuing miniaturization of electronic devices has allowed sensors previously confined to a laboratory to…
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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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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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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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