Flexible Circuitry Fulfils the Requirements of the Medical Electronics' Future

All Flex, manufacturer of flexible circuitry presents its portfolio of flexible circuits at the international exhibition for high tech solutions for medical technology COMPAMED from November 19 to 21, 2008 in Düsseldorf, Germany at booth C 23 in hall 8a: The rising attendance of medical electronics exhibitions over the past years shows that the medical electronics industry is one of the fastest growing and most dynamic international markets. "Specialized on flexible circuitry All Flex comes up the continuing trend in medical electronics to develop smaller and lighter medical devices while increasing functions and decreasing costs", states Dave Becker, Sales Manager of All Flex. "A longer life expectancy and a great demand for cheaper and less invasive health care set the course for faster and faster technological progress in the field of medical electronics and flexible circuits will play an important part in that on the long run."

Flexible Circuits for All Fields of Medical Device Technology After its first applications in implantable pacemakers and defibrillators in the 70s, today flexible circuits are used in a wide range of medical applications. Beside implantable medical devices flexible circuitry is also deployed in hearing aids, monitoring devices for heart rate, blood pressure or blood sugar rate. The circuits can be found in diagnostic equipment for ultrasound scanning, CT scanning or X-Rays and in many other modern surgery tools like electronic saws, ultrasonic scalpels or biopsy forceps.

Reliable, Small and Efficient
The benefits of flexible circuits in medical electronics applications are obvious: Flexible circuitry has inherent advantages because it eliminates connection points, thereby simplifying assembly and eliminating chances of human error or interconnect defects such as poor solder joints. The demand in the medical industry to make devices smaller and lighter makes flexible circuits ideal in applications when weight and space are a premium. Flexible circuitry is thin (total circuit thickness can be <.005") and can be easily bent to conform to tight spaces while interconnecting multiple planes. Flexible circuits can be built with narrow lines and spaces and are constructed with multiple layers. Since flexible circuits reduce the number of connections required, they can simplify and reduce assembly costs and are manufactured efficiently in high volume. Flexible circuitry has outstanding ability for dynamic bending or movement. This includes applications such as providing interconnection through a hinged device or maintaining connection through devices that expand, contract or telescope during use. The materials used in flexible circuits have proven to be bio-compatible in a wide range of applications. While implantable devices are fully sealed to eliminate contamination, non-implantable devices are used in applications requiring contact with human skin.