All articles by Ky Nikitha
Ky Nikitha
Connect the bots
Collaborative robots, or cobots, are a new class of robots that are bridging the gap between fully manual assemblies and fully automated manufacturing lines. Lightweight, flexible, easily programmable and safe to implement, cobots can meet some of the challenges associated with these processes in an efficient and effective way. Astrid Weiss, senior researcher at Vienna University of Technology, speaks to Emma Green about how best to integrate these cobots into manufacturing processes.
Change on the horizon
With uncertainty around Brexit and what it means for the NHS, along with news about the government’s 10-year plan, it is easy to have missed some important signals that support the greater use of structured data within the health service. The Global Medical Device Nomenclature Agency’s chief executive, Mark Wasmuth, gives some insight into how medical devices can be more accurately identified to optimise patient safety.
Act together
There has been ongoing debate about the relative merits and disadvantages of insourcing versus outsourcing in manufacturing. However, recently, companies have become more interested in new ways of working. Within the UK, this has taken the form of partnerships with Academic Health Science Networks (AHSNs) in order to capitalise on the expertise of academia and industry. Louise Thomas takes a look at these developments.
The art of science
Developing a metal medical device requires balancing a budget, deadlines, design considerations and more. In light of rapid technological advances, deciding upon the best process to maximise manufacturing effi ciencies can be challenging. Louise Thomas explores the important factors to consider when making this selection.
Make it stick
When choosing a motor, the need to balance multiple factors such as service life, cost, speed and temperature conditions, as well as the huge range of potential applications of the technology, can be a challenge. Emma Green speaks with Thomas Mayer from Sonceboz and Carl Bugeja, an embedded-software developer, about how to effectively navigate decisions about motors and the magnets that allow them to run.
Your own devices
The US FDA plans to develop a new regulatory framework for reviewing ‘software as a medical device’ and has also issued guidance regarding the FDA’s regulatory process for digital tools. Aiming for a more ‘streamlined’ review, the FDA has updated the software pre-certifi cation pilot programme and a working model of this will soon be released. Stephanie Webster speaks to Sundeep Karnik and Matt Singer from ZS about the implications of this new regulation for the industry.