Role of High Density Interconnects
For electronic medical devices, interconnects are crucial for both performance and safety. They must be able to withstand sterilization methods, be inserted and removed numerous times, and reliably transmit data between the device components. Additionally, they must meet regulatory requirements, including minimizing the impact of inductive coupling between the connector and the surrounding circuitry. This can be achieved by utilizing high density circuit boards and connectors.
A key benefit of high density interconnect is that they can be routed over multiple layers of a PCB, allowing for complex designs in smaller sizes. This is particularly important in a medical device because it helps to reduce the overall size of the equipment and improve its functionality and performance.
Many of the most advanced medical devices incorporate HDI PCBs. These include medical imaging systems, surgical instruments, patient monitoring equipment and even implantable devices. Medical electronics manufacturers rely on the density and miniaturization that HDI technology provides, and it is expected to drive growth for the industry in the coming years.
The Role of High Density Interconnects in Medical Devices
In addition to enabling medical device designers to fit more components into a smaller space, high density interconnects also provide a number of other benefits for the end-user of the product. These benefits include increased signal integrity, decreased power consumption and shorter signal transmission paths. In all of these ways, high density interconnects can help to improve the performance and safety of the device, while also lowering the cost of production and making it easier for the manufacturer to sell the device.
Whether your medical device requires standard or custom high-density interconnects, Nortech can provide the solution you need. We have been designing and manufacturing specialty wire, cable, and harness products for over four decades. We have the knowledge and experience needed to design medical interconnects that are reliable and safe for use in any medical environment.
When it comes to medical-grade printed circuit board (PCB) materials, few industries have more specific requirements than the healthcare industry. The quality and performance of medical-grade PCBs must be exemplary in order to satisfy the high expectations of leading medical OEMs and their end customers. For this reason, medical OEMs seek out contractors that have extensive experience in producing ultra-high-density PCBs.
High-density PCBs have a higher pitch than traditional through-hole (TH) boards, which means that there are more components per square inch on an HDI PCB. This, in turn, results in a lower overall board size and enables two TH boards to be combined into one HDI board, resulting in a significant cost savings.
To create a high-density PCB, manufacturers must first begin with the correct layer stackup configuration. This will ensure that the impedance-controlled routing calculations are performed correctly and that thermal and signal integrity are maximized. To make this possible, a photomask is required, and it must be created with precision to ensure that the etched metal trace patterns accurately match the PCB layout.
A photomask is a clear film that contains a template for the metal trace pattern on the substrate. It must be highly accurate in order to produce a quality HDI board, as any errors will result in poor electrical performance. A specialized photographic process, along with precise etching processes, are used to create the photomask.
