The rapid development in the medical and healthcare industry leads to an increase in the demand for medical PCB. No matter whether it’s large medical equipment or portable devices used for daily health management purpose, all of them have to use these small but important circuit boards to do work and fulfill functions. This guide will take you through what medical PCBs are, key applications, design considerations, and future trends for the industry.
Medical PCBs are specialized printed circuit boards designed specifically for medical devices and equipment. Unlike standard PCBs, medical PCBs must be manufactured to tolerate the most stringent quality standards and have the most stringent regulatory requirements, e.g., FDA approval, ISO 13485 certification. These PCBs are engineered to make sure functionality of signal integrity, and to ensure patient safety in the critical practise.
The medical PCBs are widely used in different applications, below we list some of the typical ones:
All modern equipment with diagnostic capability needs precision engineered PCBs to get accurate results. These boards allow sophisticated medical imaging and analysis capabilities from MRI, CT scanners and advanced laboratory testing equipment.
Medical grade PCB supply power to critical care equipment that processes complex physiological data for real-time patient assessment in critical care settings. The applications are heart monitors, pulse oximeters, and blood pressure monitoring systems.
Medical circuit boards have greatly miniaturized wearable healthcare devices which have now revolutionized wearable healthcare devices such as the small sized continuous glucose monitors, heart rate tracking system, and smart health patches.
A medical PCB is an indispensable part in therapeutic equipment such as precision controlled infusion pumps, rehabilitation devices and pain management.
With integrated wireless capabilities, medical printed circuit boards support remote healthcare delivery through patient monitoring platforms and digital health communication systems, making healthcare more accessible and efficient.
When assembling medical PCBs, surface mount technology (SMT) is more popular than through hole technologies, as it is beneficial for size reduction and component density. Plated-through-hole (PTH) technology still has a place in power supply boards or other such things, but SMT is easier to make and assemble as it eliminates the need to drill through holes.
Recommend reading: Through Hole Vs. Surface Mount: How to Choose the Right Method
Medical PCB boards need to maintain consistent performance during their entire working life, spanning several years of continuous operation. This demands that critical components are able to withstand environmental stressors, and that thermal management can be achieved even in a small package. Meanwhile, high-quality solder masks and surface finishes are necessary to protect against wear.
When designing medical PCB, a key factor that should be considered is the material selection. On the one hand, the material used must comply with RoHS. On the other hand, the substrate material should be compatible with the RF signals and the high frequency transmission requirements. Lastly, select materials according to connectivity requirements and physical constraints of the device housing.
To ensure the signal integrity, when designing medical PCBs, it’s critical to route signals correctly, to use proper impedance matching, and EMI/EMC shielding. When placing components, try to minimize crosstalk and put the high-frequency circuits separated from sensitive analog sections.
Testing is an essential step that can ensure the functionality and reliability of medical devices. Therefore, we can strategically place test points on signal traces, clock and control signals and power lines to facilitate testing and debugging. Moreover, placing test points on outer board faces simplifies circuit verification both during manufacturing and in the field.
1. Stringent Regulations Compliance
Medical PCBs must comply with strict regulations such as FDA requirements, ISO 13485 certification, and RoHS compliance, which ensures the patient safety and device reliability. However, it’s not an easy task to get all these certifications. Manufacturers must maintain extensive records of materials, processes, and testing procedures.
2. Miniaturization of Components
As medical devices shrink in size, more features must fit into smaller spaces, thus there is a growing demand for more functionality in smaller form factors, i.e., space, for PCB designers to tackle. The problem of component placement becomes critical where in one needs to have exact spacing but maintain signal integrity as well as preventing electromagnetic interference.
3. Zero-defect Manufacturing Requirements
Medical PCBs have to meet controlled quality norms due to its critical applications. All should be tested and the procedures established to ensure that all finished goods meet specifications. We cannot afford to accept minor defects which compromise device functionality and patient safety; it is mandatory that devices are 100 per cent tested.
4. High Production Cost
Achieving medical grade means there is a lot of upfront investment into expensive specialized equipment, clean room facilities and personnel. This makes production costly, requiring high quality components, lots of testing and detailed documentation.
Innovations in Manufacturing Technologies: Advanced technologies like additive manufacturing and bendable substrates are changing the game of PCB production. They make it possible to have more sophisticated implantable and wearable medical devices, and open up new possibilities in patient care.
Integration of IoT and Smart Technologies: More medical devices are becoming interconnected, thanks to the rise of the Internet of Things (IoT) in healthcare. Advanced communication protocols and consequent data processing demands will have to be supported on medical PCBs to enable real – time monitoring and evaluation of data.
Sustainable Device Design: The development of medical PCBs is being reshaped by increasing environmental stewardship. Manufacturers are looking at energy efficient designs and environmentally sensitive materials while shuttering to medical standards. Circular manufacturing practices are becoming common in the industry, including a shift towards using recyclable materials such as copper and aluminum, lowering waste and minimizing an environmental footprint.
MOKO has nearly 20 years of experience in offering medical PCBs to customers. We offer one-stop medical PCB services by working with you closely throughout the project, from PCB designing, manufacturing, assembly, testing, to supply chain management, and after-market service. We are certified with ISO9001:2015 and ISO13485, which means that our quality system and manufacturing process can achieve a high standard in the medical industry. Reach out to us today to get a free quote!
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