A proprietary composite with a platinum contact is playing a crucial role in one company's latest implantable medical device designs.

Hypertronics, a business unit of Hypertac, has developed a new product known as 'ImplanTac', which can be used in pacemakers, neurostimulators and defibrillators.

During the manufacturing process, the company struggled to find a suitable contact material, before discovering that the platinum surface was an effective solution.

According to a report by newelectronics.co.uk, the mechanical and electrical spring properties of the wire are "significant" for the efficient functioning of the contact.

"The trend is towards less invasive devices and less invasive procedures," Mark Manasas of Cambridge Consultants told the news provider.

"Improved imaging, including CT, MRI and ultrasound, are going to be more prevalent and necessary as these procedures become less 'open' surgery and more 'keyhole' surgery."

The contact can be used in the most recent orthopaedic, visual and sensory aids, while also boosting the operation of implantable patient ID and active monitoring systems.

Pacemakers were first envisaged by JA McWilliam, who reported in the British Medical Journal in 1899 that particular heart rhythms could be established by applying electrical impulses.

Source:

Connectors are playing a vital role in implantable electronics (08/03/10)

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