Twistable cables for handpieces reduce malfunctions

Heavy loads due to torsion and cleaning: No problem for chainflex® robot cables

Medical accessories often require handpieces that communicate with a console via electric cables or hose lines. This connection is particularly vulnerable - continuous, often extreme movements, tension and twisting can cause the cables to break. The costs for repair and maintenance are high, but can be reduced by improving the mechanical stress. For its Lipofocus ultrasound device for stimulating lipolysis, Bioset has opted for chainflex® cable and eliminated the problem of defective cables and possible malfunctions.

Profile

What was needed: Twistable robot cables from the chainflex® cable programme
Requirements: The cables have to withstand heavy loads in the form of high tension, torsion, pressure or crushing, as well as constant cleaning in hospitals. High reliability of electromagnetic shielding and dielectric strength were also required.
Industry: Medical technology
Success for the customer: chainflex® robotic cables were able to significantly reduce breakage and failure rates, increase the reliability of the connection system, reduce maintenance and repair costs and increase customer satisfaction.

Problem

Within this application, the focus was on cables and hoses for use in hospitals. In patient rooms, they are used to supply power and pneumatic systems and are attached to applications worn by patients on their hands. Signals can be transmitted from the handpiece to a control panel of electromedical devices in order to operate them remotely and comfortably.

In some cases, the cables have to reach distant areas of the console and are subjected to particularly strong and rapid movements. These lead to high tension, torsion, pressure and crushing of the cables. In addition, the cleaning and aseptic methods used in the healthcare sector lead to premature wear of cable insulation, insulation cracks, cable breaks, etc. Another important aspect concerns the reliability of electromagnetic shielding and dielectric strength. Current standards demand high performance from medical devices in terms of their electrical safety and electromagnetic compatibility as well as their accessories. Until now, it has not been possible to fulfil these high requirements for mechanical resistance to chemical substances, compatibility and safety (insulation and dielectric strength) with the desired efficiency.

Solution

A new, more suitable solution was needed for this particular problem. The decision-makers at Bioset found what they were looking for in our torsionable chainflex® robotic cables.

These were initially assessed for the most critical problem, which was the high failure rate of the cable connecting the devices and their handpieces. The chainflex® cable significantly reduced the breakage and failure rates, achieved a high level of customer satisfaction, increased the reliability of the connection system and ultimately reduced maintenance and repair costs. The major problems associated with the chemical attack of the cable by cleaning substances and asepsis have been virtually eliminated.

To Bioset's great satisfaction, the chainflex® robotic cables passed all mechanical stress, chemical attack and electrical safety (dielectric strength and insulation quality) resistance tests in the product certification laboratory with flying colours. They combine high performance in terms of electromagnetic compatibility with excellent performance in all EMI tests. As a result, the chainflex® products were approved for all of the customer's product lines and were also used in all devices manufactured prior to approval. The increased reliability and reduced failure rate added value to the company and increased the end customer's perception of value, favouring customer loyalty and future decisions to purchase Bioset's products.