The HUBER+SUHNER Group is a leading international manufacturer and supplier of components and systems for electrical and optical connectivity. The company unites technical expertise in radio frequency technology, fibre optics, and cable and polymer technology under one roof.
HUBER+SUHNER has worked in the medical market for many years with a wide range of leading manufacturers of medical devices. Within this wide market, HUBER+SUHNER focuses on the development and production of innovative, reliable and high-quality connection solutions.
One promising new method for treating cancer tumours and metastases is microwave (MW) or radio frequency (RF) ablation. These minimally or non-invasive procedures enable work to be carried out in areas that are difficult to access, where treatment with conventional methods is only possible with serious side-effects. The savings from shorter recovery times are resulting in rising acceptance of these treatment methods in healthcare circles.
The generator supplies the microwave energy. An integral controller allows the power, treatment time and temperature to be controlled. The device is used in the vicinity of the patient and must therefore meet the high safety requirements that apply in human medicine. An integral DC/DC block provides protection from high voltage. At the same time, sensors monitor the temperature and radio frequency power level. The robust radio frequency connectors on the device are designed for frequent connection cycles and ensure that the generator has a long service life.
The transmission cable must be robust and mobile, and is therefore strengthened with specially developed reinforcements. At the same time, the microwaves must be transferred from the generator to the antenna in the applicator with minimal energy losses. The cables are therefore strengthened with special reinforcements to make them crush-resistant. The materials used in the cable are also selected to meet the requirements for medical use, above all for sterilisation. Properties such as cool ability and the diameter of the transmission cable likewise play a major role in the cable selection process.
HUBER+SUHNER develops all equipment together with the customer or supplies individual components for the applicator (also known as the probe or disposable element). Thanks to its long experience in microwave technology, HUBER+SUHNER is capable of manufacturing thin cables that enable extremely low losses while also allowing cooling in or around the cable using a variety of media. The use of special connectivity solutions can also satisfy the demand for flexibility while maintaining the form stability of the supply cable to the antenna. This makes the applicator simple and highly ergonomic to handle.
The housing connection on the generator output ensures that the power can be transferred and must also be designed to withstand the high number of connection cycles of the transmission cable.
