Modern healthcare and biotechnology rely on components that ensure uncompromised performance in sensitive environments. Among these, custom feedthroughs stand out as critical solutions for bridging internal and external systems while maintaining strict safety, sterility, and signal integrity standards.
Why Custom Feedthroughs are Important in Healthcare Technology
Custom feedthroughs are a type of connector designed to encapsulate the passage of electrical signals, optical data, or fluids without disturbing the sealed environment. In medical contexts, custom feedthroughs are crafted for specific needs, including:
Hermetic sealing to avoid infusion of contaminants in sealed clean areas such as MRI/CT Scanners.
Integrity of multi-channel signals for imaging and diagnostics (i.e., biocompatibility for tissues and fluids interfaces on lab-on-a-chip devices).
1. Medical Imaging: mRI and CT Scanners
MRI and CT systems operate in enclosed vacuum or liquid cooled environments to mitigate interference. Custom feedthroughs enable:
Signal Transmission: Accuracy of real-time imaging is achieved by coaxial feedthroughs with high-frequency interfacing. Internal sensors are connected to external monitors.
Coolant Management: Fluid feedthroughs control temperature in superconducting magnets, essential for MRI stability.
EMI Shielding: Customized designs for medical appliances per ISO 13485 regulations remove electroma gnetic interferences.
A case study from InSealing highlights feedthroughs with gold-plated contacts for MRI systems, reducing signal loss by 30% compared to standard connectors.
2. Biotech and Lab-on-a-Chip Systems
High-throughput biosensors and microfluidic devices demand miniaturized, multi-functional feedthroughs. Applications include:
Optical Feedthroughs: Transmit laser signals for DNA sequencing or cell analysis.
Microfluidic Channels: Enable precise fluid control in drug discovery platforms.
Sterility Compliance: FDA-grade materials like PEEK or titanium prevent reactive leaching.
For instance, custom optical feedthroughs are pivotal in CRISPR-based gene-editing tools, where UV light transmission must align with nanoscale fluidic pathways.
3. Wearable and Implantable Medical Devices
Emerging IoT-enabled health monitors and neurostimulators require ultra-compact, durable feedthroughs. Key innovations include:
Flexible Feedthroughs: Silicone-based designs for wearable ECG patches.
Bio-inert Coatings: Prevent immune reactions in implantable glucose sensors.
From MRI scanners to biotech reactors, custom feedthroughs are the unsung heroes of medical innovation. Their ability to balance precision, durability, and regulatory compliance makes them indispensable.