HAPPY BIRTHDAY CMX SERIES

We can’t believe it’s been 12 months since the launch of our new energy-dense batteries for Hi-tech portable medical equipment at Compamed 2014, and just how successful the CMX Series has been over the past year. 

The new smart battery range fulfils the needs of manufacturers of high powered medical devices. The CMX series really packs a punch - offering high energy density along with high power discharge. Medical OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) are now able to produce innovative portable devices without compromising on safety and reliability in life-critical applications.

The medical market is a challenging environment, and understandably so. With people's lives on the line it is essential that medical practitioners can rely on their equipment to perform under pressure. The rise in the use of portable devices such as acute ventilators, anaesthesia workstations and intra-oral scanners has left many medical OEMs struggling to keep pace in the market.  The CMX Series of batteries and chargers has been designed specifically for medical OEMs following extensive research and discussion with customers and hospitals.

“Part of our branded Entellion range, the CMX meets stringent regulations, demanding development schedules and innovation aims, whilst minimising unit costs," explained Neil Oliver, technical marketing manager at Accutronics. “The CMX Series, as with our other Entellion products, bridge the gap between custom and standard batteries and chargers”.

The seven batteries in the CMX range use three different cell types to provide specific performance attributes which are required for the medical device market.  Smart features of the CMX series include active and passive protection circuits that prevent over-temperature, over and under-voltage, overload and short circuit.  Forming an essential part of its medical device operation, smart power management means the battery only requests charge when needed and shuts down when not being used. Accurate fuel gauging is possible to 1% through an LCD display, further enhancing reliability.

CMX series batteries comply with regulatory certifications necessary for use in medical devices. In terms of safety they meet the requirements of both UL2054 (2nd edition) and IEC62133:2012 (2nd edition), the latter being a mandatory requirement for medical devices being certified to IEC60601-1 (3rd edition).  They also meet the requirements of The Transport of Dangerous Goods, Methods of Tests and Criteria, UN ST/SG/AC.10.11 Rev5 Section 38.3 which is a mandatory requirement for the transportation of Lithium ion batteries.
 
Hospitals can now perform routine power management checks without having to remove the medical device from service using the smart charger that accompanies the CMX battery. A single charger can be used for different sized batteries, because the two devices automatically communicate exact voltage requirements.

Whether batteries or chargers, the Entellion range is available off-the shelf or can be easily customised to meet particular OEM requirements. Options include product labelling and case colours, software setup and SHA-1 algorithmic security, which prevents counterfeit batteries being used under fraudulent warranty claims.

For more information on the CMX Series of batteries & chargers contact us today

Charging ahead in innovation

~Accutronics celebrates a year of innovation at America's largest medical technology show~

Smart batteries for medical devices

International battery manufacturer Accutronics will join thousands of medical industry suppliers and
service providers at MD&M West, on February 10-12, 2015 in Anaheim, California, where the British company will showcase the latest products from its Entellion range. Accutronics can be found in Hall E at Booth 412.

The theme of the 2015 conference is a celebration of 30 years of medtech innovation, and this year British manufacturer Accutronics has proven it is more than up for the challenge. During 2014, the independent battery expert launched two new products to add to its range of smart portable power products, both of which will be exhibited at the event.

Most recently, Accutronics introduced the CMX Series, a range of innovative smart batteries and chargers. With the increase in the use of portable medical devices, such as acute ventilators and anaesthesia workstations, the new smart battery fulfils the needs of manufacturers of high powered medical devices.

During the summer the company also introduced the CX6100, an innovative desktop charger for its groundbreaking credit card battery range. The new charger has a rapid charge capability and can be used around the world, thanks to its wall mounted power supply. The credit card battery range provides OEMs with a rechargeable range of Lithium Ion professional batteries for portable and wearable medical devices.

"The medical market is a challenging environment and there's a constant demand on medical OEMs to produce innovative portable devices," explained Rob Phillips, managing director of Accutronics.

"Thanks to our understanding of the market requirements we've been able to develop a range that meets the need for high energy density and high power discharge, without compromising on safety and reliability in life-critical applications."

At the event, the Accutronics team will showcase its skills in the design, development and manufacturing of medical batteries and smart chargers. On display will be the complete Entellion range of products which bridge the gap between standard off-the-shelf products and a custom design with inherent development fees, saving customers time and money. The range can easily be customised with options including product labelling and case colours, software setup and SHA-1 algorithmic security, which prevents counterfeit batteries being used under fraudulent warranty claims.

Charging ahead with medical devices

~ Hi-tech medical equipment goes portable with new energy-dense battery ~

Independent battery design, development and manufacturing expert Accutronics has launched a new smart battery that fulfils the needs of manufacturers of high powered medical devices. The CMX series packs a punch - offering high energy density along with high power discharge. Medical OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) can now produce innovative portable devices without compromising on safety and reliability in life-critical applications.

The medical market is a challenging environment, and understandably so. With people's lives on the line it is essential that medical practitioners can rely on their equipment to perform under pressure. The rise in the use of portable devices such as acute ventilators, anaesthesia workstations and intra-oral scanners over the last twelve months has left many medical OEMs struggling to keep pace in the market.

“Part of our branded Entellion range, the CMX meets stringent regulations, demanding development schedules and innovation aims, whilst minimising unit costs," explained Neil Oliver, technical marketing manager at Accutronics.

The battery is available in three versions, using eight, twelve or sixteen '18650' sized cells, with continuous discharge rates of up to 300W. Two voltage platforms are used; 28.8V, which operates between 20.0V and 33.6V and 14.4V, which operates between 10.0V and 16.8V.

Smart features of the CMX series include active and passive protection circuits that prevent over-temperature, over and under-voltage, overload and short circuit.

Forming an essential part of its medical device operation, smart power management means the battery only requests charge when needed and shuts down when not being used. Accurate fuel gauging is possible to 1% through an LCD display, further enhancing reliability.

The new battery complies with the relevant transport regulation, which exists to eliminate the risk of explosion associated with the transport of such energy dense cargo. The CMX series complies with transportation (UN 38.3) and safety (UL2054 2nd ed. and IEC61233:2012) as well as electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) regulations (CE and FCC).

The range charges between zero and +40 degrees, discharges between -10 and +50 degrees and can be stored between -20 and +60 degrees. This results in 500 cycles of 80% minimum rated capacity.

Hospitals can now perform routine power management checks without having to remove the medical device from service using the smart charger that accompanies the CMX battery. A single charger can be used for different sized batteries, because the two devices automatically communicate exact voltage requirements.

For customer convenience, two chargers are available to accompany the CMX series, an internal single channel charger and an external dual bay desktop charger, which can also be used for battery calibration.

Whether batteries or chargers, the Entellion range is made to be customised. Options include product labelling and case colours, software setup and SHA-1 algorithmic security, which prevents counterfeit batteries being used under fraudulent warranty claims.

Trends in Medical Technology 2015

Medical technology (MedTech) is one of the world’s fastest growing industries and the latest and most exciting innovations are currently being explored at COMPAMED, the international medical trade show running from 12-14 November in Dusseldorf, Germany. 

By Michele Windsor

We launched our latest smart-battery range at the trade show, providing a versatile solution to the demand for portable medical devices. Here, we explore a few of the latest trends, live from COMPAMED, for the next generation of medical devices.

1. Power and energy requirements on the rise for portable battery-powered MedTech devices
The last decade has borne witness to rapid innovation in the medical market. Devices have become smaller and as a result, smarter and more intricate components are increasingly in demand. However, there is now an increased demand for mobile technology used in hospitals and in the field, including acute ventilators, portable anaesthesia workstations and intra-oral scanners.

2015 will see a trend for portable, battery-powered medical devices delivering high power discharge from batteries with high energy densities used in mobile hospital setups and emergency services use.


2. Security in MedTech is a concern for OEMs' brands and reputations
Copycat batteries are now available at the click of a button. These, often grey market and sometimes outright illegally produced, knockoffs are now spreading via improved logistics and global supply chain networks. The problem is that copycat batteries often mimic big name brands but lack the certification, testing and even vital circuitry that protects lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries from unpredictable failure, overheating and potentially exploding.

Battery original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) as well as consumer brands including Nokia and Kodak have already taken action to protect their lucrative aftermarket from reputational damage by introducing security measures such as hologram labels and traceable invisible ink markings on devices.

2015 will see companies push further into securing their products. Accutronics has already made headway into improved security by making available a hardware-embedded software algorithm (SHA-1) which can identify and isolate fake batteries, stopping them from being used in critical-care devices. This also provides better batch traceability and deters fraudulent warranty claims.

3. Western OEMs competing to win market share of premium MedTech in Asia
Until now, the western world has dominated medical technology, with the majority of intellectual property belonging to European and North American companies. Lately there has been a power shift in the MedTech industry and the Asian market, specifically China, is booming, with growth expected to continue over the next few years.

Thanks to a growing Chinese middle class there are hundreds of millions of new patients, creating a significant demand for high tech devices such as pacemakers, defibrillators and insulin pumps.

2015 will see the trend for European and North American MedTech OEMs begin to establish a more permanent presence in Asian and Far Eastern economies to secure and win market share of the premium industry sector.

4. Fringe technologies will start to be used in MedTech
Having already gained traction in the consumer electronics sector, wireless, or inductive charging, to give it its full name, will begin trials in many MedTech devices in 2015. One of the vulnerable areas of rechargeable medical devices to date has been the connection made between the charging port and the mains AC power supply. This can be a source of ingress for dust and water as well as being a haven for bacterial growth.

2015 will see more medical OEMs explore the use of inductive charging to improve device IP (ingress protection) ratings. Introducing fully enclosed and waterproof designs will make it possible to sterilise devices in high pressure hospital autoclaves. The resultant lack of user-serviceable parts will further elongate device lifecycles by the implementation of a return-to-base repair strategy being adopted widely.

5. Anti-microbial surfaces provide an extra line of defence against superbugs
A World Health Organisation report released in April 2014 states that, "this serious threat is no longer a prediction for the future; it is happening right now in every region of the world and has the potential to affect anyone, of any age, in any country. Antibiotic resistance–when bacteria change so antibiotics no longer work in people who need them to treat infections–is now a major threat to public health."

2015 will see OEMs begin to widely consider the role of antimicrobial polymers and coatings for use in device mouldings, casings and on touchable surfaces to minimise the spread of superbugs such as MRSA and other multidrug resistant (MDR) microorganisms.

Visitors to COMPAMED can view and discuss Accutronics' new product range in Hall 8b Stand F30. We look forward to seeing you.

High-five for high-power

Tackling the rise in demand for portable medical devices delivering high-rate power discharge, battery specialist Accutronics will be launching a new CMX range on 12 November, 2014 at COMPAMED, the international medical trade show held in Dusseldorf, Germany. In anticipation of the launch, we explore the world of portable power.

Speed is of the essence in life-critical applications. Usually, ambulance crews will transport heart-attack patients to the hospital's emergency ward as soon as possible. However, a leading UK Accident & Emergency doctor recently called for patients to be treated by paramedics until their heart starts beating or they die.

Writing in the British Medical Journal, Dr Benger says that it, "may be actively harmful" to rush cardiac arrest patients to hospital. Because there is only a short time-window of around 50 minutes before permanent brain damage sets in, it is vital that treatment is provided quickly and effectively.

The last few years have seen an increased demand in mobile technology used in hospitals and in the field. Specialised stroke emergency mobile (STEMO) ambulances fitted with portable CT scanners cut the alarm-to-treatment period to just 25 minutes. Acute ventilators, portable anaesthesia workstations and intra-oral scanners are other examples of medical equipment breaking free from the traditional mains power supply.

However, the challenge with these devices is the high-rate power delivery required to operate reliably. The recent Ebola outbreak in West Africa has highlighted the challenge of transporting patients from one part of the world to another. Medical equipment used in the transport of patients must be capable of operating with limited resource for electricity, water and compressed gas.

On September 4, 2014, in response to the Ebola outbreak, the World Health Organisation (WHO) issued guidelines for medical equipment donated for use in the field. The guidelines reinforce the necessity for devices to use high-quality backup power, with current stabilisation, surge protection and uninterrupted power supplies to protect against blackouts and unsustainable mains power.

To overcome these problems, here at Accutronics we've developed a new CMX smart-battery range specifically for high-power applications. Capable of accurate fuel gauging, built to international regulatory standards (IEC62133, UL2054) and offering device-to-host communication for continuous swappable power, the new range will be especially useful in the increasingly dynamic nature of modern hospital care.

Visitors to COMPAMED can find out more about how the CMX range will revolutionise the mobile medical market at Accutronics' product launch press conference. The event will be held at 3pm on the 12th of November, 2014 in room 801a off hall 8b at COMPAMED. Alternatively you can view and discuss the new product range in Hall 8b Stand F30 where Accutronics will be exhibiting. If you're interested in attending, you can register for free by calling 01785 225416 today.

If you’re unable to make it to COMPAMED, we will also be launching and displaying the new CMX series at ELECTRONICA in Munich between 11th and 14th November in Hall B2 Stand Booth 454.