Circular connectors are used in a wide range of medical applications and here, ODU Connectors, who are exhibiting at Medical Technology Ireland, examines current and future trends in things to know about circular connectors.

ODU are probably best known for their widely-used MEDI-SNAP® connectors, which are lightweight, plastic, push-pull circular connectors with unique colour-coding and mechanical keying system to offer the ideal connector solution for medical device system designers.

So, what do ODU see as the important trends?

Miniaturization

Whilst miniaturization is by no means a new development, it continues to trend nonetheless. This goes for both the size of the circular connector system and in the medical equipment itself, where more electronics is required to be installed in less and less available space.

As a result, the inner workings of circular connectors are becoming increasingly important. What is the smallest possible size that is feasible in practice? How many contacts can be integrated? Can different transmission needs be mixed in the same connector? How secure is the connector? Is it ergonomic and easy to handle? Not least – Does it look the part and match the aesthetics of the equipment?

By responding to questions like these, connector manufacturers are pushing the limits of their technology further and further.

High Data Rates

These days, there is a growing need to transmit more information and ever-faster.

High-speed data transfers are critical to the new-generation of increasingly sophisticated medical equipment and the generic commercial connectors developed for computer use in offices, server rooms, and dry/clean environments are not fit-for-purpose in this scenario. Considerations in choosing the appropriate connector should include quality, throughput, and quantity of data that can/will be transmitted without loss or interference.

Technology transfer – from its extensive experience in the military communications market, ODU knowhow has created the best combination of ruggedness and signal integrity in the smallest possible size. These connectors are able to transmit the latest high-speed data protocols up to 14.4 Gbit/s and now available to the medical equipment OEM.

Hybrid Connectors

The need to fulfil a variety of functions with a single connector is also on the rise.

The obvious advantages include increased networking capabilities, new technological possibilities, and resource efficiency, together with simplified handling.

Tailor-made hybrid connectors can provide the customer with efficient, ergonomic solutions in a single connector system, combining power, signals, data, or other media into one interface, in a smaller overall footprint.       

In medical technology, hybrid interfaces offer certainty in application: A single mating action establishes a perfect connection in which it is impossible to forget a plug or connect it incorrectly, which can save lives in emergencies.

Smart Connectors

Following recent work on behalf of several customers, ODU now offers the integration of EEPROM technology inside their connectors. This offers easy pairing of devices, providing highly secure data-transfer, with electronic verification and real-time connection status.

Needing only one additional pin, the secure embedding of the tiny EEPROM does not normally require any increase in connector size. 

ODU’s smart connectors offer some interesting potential solutions for medical OEM’s, outlined in a new whitepaper, which together with their existing whitepaper on IEC 60601-1 compliance, is available from:

https://www.odu-uk.co.uk/downloads/whitepapers/

Not just circular

As well as being known for their circular push-pull connectors, ODU also produces a wide range of modular rectangular connectors designed for the medical equipment manufacturer, as part of their ODU-MAC® range.

The manual-mating ODU-MAC® White-Line offers various locking options: spindle, lever and snap-in, which are good for > 100,000 mating cycles, together with countless possibilities for the inner workings of the connectors.

View the modular technology portfolio at:

https://www.odu-uk.co.uk/products-solutions/modular-connectors/odu-mac-white-line/

 Application-Specific Solutions

Smooth and flawless functionality, even under extreme conditions such as pressure tightness to 500 bar, or to meet the many other stringent standards, is why many customers rely on complete solutions for connectors from a single source.

The individual customer-specific connector is created around the customer’s exact needs. From an EMC-compliant solution to soldering and crimping technology, ODU ensures that the medical connector can be seamlessly and faultlessly integrated into the application.

https://www.odu-uk.co.uk/application-areas/medical/

Assemblies

Where appropriate, ODU can also offer cable assemblies and mechanical sub-assemblies.

An ODU cable assembly brochure can be downloaded from:

https://www.odu-uk.co.uk/technology/cable-assembly/

ODU – here to help

Medical equipment manufacturers depend on a connector system

to be totally secure, utterly reliable and of course, to be affordable – exactly what ODU can provide.

ODU take pride in having established themselves as a true ‘problem-solving’ connector supplier, by working closely with OEM customers to develop both connectors and packaging, providing cost-effective solutions to the problems of modern-day electronics.

So, if you are facing a design or packaging conundrum, then why not stop by Stand 42 for a chat about how they can help. 

ODU-UK Ltd

tel: +44 (0)330 002 0640

https://www.odu-uk.co.uk