Technology

Can Rigid Flex Be Used in Implantable Medical Devices?

Rigid Flex Be Used in Implantable Medical Devices

Rigid flex has become increasingly popular in the manufacturing of medical devices due to its reliability, space-saving capabilities, and biocompatibility. This type of PCB can also withstand harsh environments, such as exposure to body fluids and extreme temperatures. However, these boards require careful design considerations and specialized manufacturing processes. Therefore, medical device designers should work closely with a trusted PCB manufacturer to ensure their products meet all industry standards and qualifications.

Medical equipment is incredibly complex, from wearable fitness trackers to implantable pacemakers and neurostimulators. These devices have to be compact and fit into tight spaces, while also meeting stringent safety and performance criteria. As a result, designers often need to use a mix of rigid and flex circuits in their designs. These hybrid boards provide the best of both worlds, offering both high-density layouts and flex components.

Whether you’re designing a new medical sensor, an implantable pacemaker, or an artificial organ, using rigid flex can help you get your design into the market faster and save on cost and weight. These boards are typically thinner than traditional rigid PCBs and offer a greater degree of flexibility, which allows them to adapt to your device’s unique form factor.

Can Rigid Flex Be Used in Implantable Medical Devices?

These flexible boards also allow you to reduce your component count, which in turn translates into lower costs and weight. This is a major benefit in the medical field, where size and cost are critical factors. Moreover, these hybrid boards can withstand harsh environments and are able to endure repeated bending, stretching, or twisting.

This makes them ideal for medical devices, which are frequently subject to shock, vibration, and thermal shock. Additionally, rigid flex can eliminate the need to connect hard boards with cables and connectors. This can improve the overall look and feel of your device and reduce the risk of malfunctioning components.

Using rigid flex can also make it easier to implement a variety of different features, including power and signal distribution, as well as a number of other essential functions. For example, it’s possible to create gradient changes in width on flex tracks, allowing for thinner and wider copper traces as the board bends. This is particularly useful in medical devices, as it can allow the tracing to conform to the shape of the body and improve durability.

Rigid flex is a great choice for any application that requires a high level of reliability and durability. For instance, it’s a popular choice for medical imaging equipment, military missile guidance systems, and automotive infotainment systems. Rigid flex also offers the advantage of being able to adapt to changing environments and meet strict medical standards.

Health Fitness

Is prenatal Pilates suitable for beginners?

prenatal Pilates suitable

In general, exercising during pregnancy can help to ease back pain, maintain posture, increase body awareness and prepare for labour. Regular Pilates practice has also been shown to decrease the need for C-section deliveries, aid recovery and reduce the risk of postpartum complications such as low weight gain and high blood pressure (1).

However, it is important to recognise the changes that occur throughout the three trimesters and adapt your routine accordingly as your pregnancy progresses. During the first trimester, nausea and fatigue are common as your body adapts to hormonal changes. Most exercises can be continued but the intensity of your workouts should be reduced and support props used to avoid overheating your body and elevating your heart rate (2).

As your Prenatal Pilates East Sheen grows and your ribcage expands, compression is put on the diaphragm which can restrict your breathing capacity. Pregnancy pilates teaches lateral breathing which recruits the intercostal muscles that line your ribcage and encourages deeper breathing without placing additional strain on the already restricted diaphragm. (3)

Is prenatal Pilates suitable for beginners?

During the second trimester, you are likely to feel more energetic and can return to your normal exercise routine unless you experience any discomfort or pain. However, it is still advisable to limit exercises that increase abdominal pressure (such as full planks and forward-facing crunches) as these can contribute to diastasis recti or cause a feeling of “hunchback” in your abdomen (3). Instead, choose side-lying or seated exercises with the use of supportive props to ease any strain.

As you enter the third trimester, your uterus will be growing even more and the weight of your baby can affect your balance and centre of gravity. Incorporate more seated and side-lying exercises with the use of support props to keep you comfortable while working on your core strength, pelvic floor muscle activation and stretching the thigh and hip muscles (4).

Pregnancy Pilates classes and sessions will have a warm-up and cool-down session included in the class that will give you the chance to stretch out the tight muscles in your legs, lower back and torso. They will also teach you the proper form for each exercise to prevent injury and ensure that your form is safe for pregnancy.

It is essential to consult your healthcare professional before starting any exercise program while pregnant and that you work with a trained Pilates instructor who is experienced in teaching prenatal Pilates. In addition to a safe and effective pregnancy workout, your instructor will be able to provide you with a range of modifications for exercises that can help you feel confident in navigating your fitness journey while pregnant. For more information on prenatal Pilates, or to find a studio in your area, visit our website.