With increasing dependence on electronic equipment, there is a huge need for cable assemblies that are reliable in performance, and durable in service. One industry that depends immensely on cable assemblies is the medical sector. Diagnostic equipment like ECG and EKG, imaging systems like X-ray, CT, MRI, PET, as well as automated laboratory machines and systems depend on medical cable assemblies for support.
Points for Custom Cable Assembly Design
Every cable assembly is different, and is designed to meet particular needs of an application. Hence, there are a variety of companies that design and produce assemblies for application areas such as hospitals, nursing homes, health clinics, research laboratories, etc.
Custom cable manufacturers work with a customer to design the perfect assembly for his needs. Customers need to provide specific information that will ensure that the cable assembly will be built according to their requirements.
Here are a few points to remember when designing a custom medical cable assembly:
- Sterility Requirements: Every equipment used in a medical application needs to meet certain standards of hygiene prescribed by the FDA. The cable assembly will have to be designed depending on the number of times that the equipment is washed down or sterilized.
- Choice of Disposable or Reusable Cables: The design of the cables will also differ if they are disposable or reusable in nature. Disposable cables can be constructed from materials like PVC, which is less expensive. Reusable cables need to be sterilized prior to usage. Therefore, the insulation needs to be constructed from a material like polyurethane, which can withstand repeated sterilization procedures.
- Beneficial Operation Characteristics: As each application area and environment is different, the insulation and outer protective jacket will have to be designed to protect the cable from environmental hazards such as moisture, chemicals, abrasions, extreme temperatures, etc. Depending on the application space, the assembly will have to be flexible for installation and repair.
For a manufacturer, understanding a medical application is the first step in helping the customer choose the right materials for cable assembly construction. With the information provided by the client, industrial designers can produce the ideal medical cable assembly for medical applications.