Going global

Accutronics is a UK developer and manufacturer of custom rechargeable batteries for professional applications. The business runs a global operation from its HQ and manufacturing facility, near to the city of Stoke-on-Trent in the West Midlands. Set up in September 2009, Accutronics has around 80 employees and its battery products are exported to over 30 countries across Europe, North America, Africa and the Middle East. Rob Phillips, managing director of Accutronics, offers advice to companies considering exportation.

Rob Phillips discusses custom rechargeable batteries at Compamed

Exporting enables us to reach the majority of our potential customers, the vast majority of whom are not based in the UK, rather than limiting our business to our own backyard. We target specific product application market sectors, such as Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) of portable medical devices, chosen to match our capabilities as a potential strategic supplier. We then research who these companies are and where they are based.

For any business considering exporting, my advice is to think big and look into it properly and personally. The worst that can happen is that you end up with a wiser, wider perspective on your business sector and decide in a well-informed way not to proceed. More likely, you will open up much greater potential growth for your business.

Carry out desk research, but then travel and investigate your potential future markets directly. Industry events, such as conferences and exhibitions, are a great opportunity for further research.

In November we exhibited at Compamed in Dusseldorf, Germany, a leading trade fair for the medical industry which hosts 700 exhibitors from 40 countries, and runs alongside the huge Medica exhibition on the same trade fair site.

For UK firms active in the medical equipment market, the sheer size and scope of this event is in a different ball park to UK-based trade fairs. Quite simply it needs to be experienced to be believed. I'd suggest attending an event like this and assessing whether you want to invest in an exhibition booth next time.

Depending on your sector, there may be some potential barriers, but if you have a good product or service that you believe in, then in our experience buyers are very interested in giving you a chance, regardless of your HQ location. In our industry sector, we successfully export to over 30 countries without using agents, distributors or any other export partners. Today, export makes up 95% of Accutronics’ sales turnover.

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.

Trust me, I'm a medical device

There is a growing debate surrounding the rise in mobile medical devices. The concern is that the increased reliance on electronic devices to monitor and treat our health becomes dangerous if those very devices become unsafe or unreliable to use. Here, we explore the security and safety of batteries used in our critical medical equipment going forward. 

Medical devices are moving from the once fixed sanctuaries of hospital wards and wandering out into our portable world. The abundance of WiFi, the interconnectivity of electronics and remote information exchange has given rise to the increased portability of the critical devices that monitor our health and provide doctors and paramedics with the tools necessary in delivering flexible and customisable treatment.

However, this rise in portability has created numerous security challenges. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last month pushed for improved cyber security when it issued guidelines aimed at helping medical device manufacturers manage cyber security risks as well as "maintain medical device functionality and safety".

The guidelines will decrease the number of incidents of medical devices being hacked, putting the life of patients in jeopardy. Controversies, such as the one reported by former US Vice President Dick Cheney who, fearing assassination, told doctors to turn off the wireless functionality of his pacemaker after it was found that it could be wirelessly hacked, will be avoided.

However, the problem of security is not limited to the wireless capability of devices. A lack of hardware based encryption has already caused widespread concern over the reliability of batteries used in such equipment.

The fact that portable medical devices have to be designed to operate without mains electricity/AC power access necessitates the use of reliable and safe backup-power management systems. Devices such as acute ventilators, portable anaesthesia workstations and intra-oral scanners all need continuous and safe power to protect patient health.

Battery counterfeiting is a problem faced by the medical industry on a scale never before witnessed in the sector. The ready availability of grey market, untested copycat batteries using inferior components means that many life-critical devices used in our hospitals and medical establishments are becoming unreliable and unsafe to use.

Here at Accutronics, we've worked hard to tackle this problem and will be launching a new CMX series of smart batteries and chargers this November. The new range incorporates some innovative features that include SHA-1 hardware encryption, to prevent fake batteries being used with the host device, active and passive protection circuits, accurate fuel gauging, smart charge control and device-to-host communication.

The new batteries can be transported, stored and used safely, without overcharging, over discharging, overloading and short-circuiting. Thermal sensing on the battery triggers alarms if it is too hot; removing it from the circuit if the operating temperature exceeds safe levels.

Smart power management is what makes the CMX range stand out. Whereas other dumb systems that use a fixed-voltage cut off to prevent over-discharge, the intelligent system in the CMX maximises runtime per discharge cycle by telling the host device when to shut down based on highly accurate remaining-capacity prediction.

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. 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 & 14th November in Hall B2 Stand Booth 454.

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.

Sichere CMX-Serie bald verfügbar

~ Akkuhersteller sorgt auf medizinischem Markt für Aufsehen ~

Der in Großbritannien ansässige Akkuhersteller Accutronics wird im Herbst dieses Jahres mit der Einführung seiner neuen Akkuserie auf der COMPAMED in Düsseldorf im medizinischen Bereich neue Impulse setzen. Die CMX-Serie wird bei einer Pressekonferenz auf der COMAPMED, der internationalen Fachmesse für medizinische Hightech-Lösungen, am 12. November 2014 um 15:00 Uhr in Raum 801b bei Messehalle 8b, präsentiert.

Auf dem sich schnell verändernden medizinischen Markt stehen Entwicklungen wie Portabilität und Einsatz von Geräten ohne Netzstrom durch Ärzte und Notdienste derzeit im Mittelpunkt.

Die COMPAMED, die führenden Fachmesse der medizinischen Branche, ist der passende Ort für die Einführung der CMX-Serie. In zwei Messehallen mit insgesamt 10.000 m² Standfläche werden 700 Aussteller aus 40 Ländern vertreten sein. Die Veranstaltung deckt das komplette Spektrum von medizinischen Produkten ab, von Design und Entwicklung bis hin zur Herstellung und Wartung. Besucher können auf der Messe mit Produktionsleitern, Ingenieuren, Konstrukteuren, Forschungsmitarbeitern und führenden Persönlichkeiten aus der Branche zusammentreffen.

Accutronics stellt in Haupthalle 8b auf Stand F30 aus. Das in Großbritannien ansässige Unternehmen spezialisiert sich auf Entwurf, Entwicklung und Herstellung von intelligenten Akkus für Branchen wie Medizin, Verteidigung, Industrie sowie den Markt der portablen Handheld-Geräte.

„So viel sei verraten: Die neue CMX-Serie vereint hohe Spannung, hohe Leistung und intelligente Akkufunktionen in einem Paket, das über die strengen behördlichen Anforderungen hinausgeht, die an für medizinische Geräte bestimmte Akkus gestellt werden,“ erklärte Rob Phillips, Managing Director von Accutronics. „Der Markt der medizinischen Geräte verzeichnet zurzeit ein rasantes Wachstum und die CMX-Serie bietet enorme Möglichkeiten für OEMs, die Geräte für lebenskritische Anwendungen entwickeln.“

Die Einführung wird bei Erstausrüstern (OEMs) im medizinischen Bereich auf großes Interesse stoßen. Accutronics hat in der Vergangenheit bereits ähnlich innovative neue Produkte für diesen Markt präsentiert. Hierzu gehörten u. a. ein kreditkartengroßer Akku für portable medizinische Handheld-Geräte und ein Multi-Akkusystem zur Stromversorgung von medizinischen Gerätewagen. Alle Produkte sind Teil zur anpassbaren Entellion-Serie, die auch algorithmenbasierte Sicherheitsfunktionen bietet, um die Verwendung unautorisierter Nachahmer-Akkus zu verhindern.

Intelligenter als andere Ladegeräte

~ Medizinische Geräte heizen die Nachfrage nach intelligenten Lösungen für Akkus und Ladegeräte an ~

Auf der COMPAMED 2013 in Düsseldorf präsentiert Accutronics seine Kompetenz bei Design, Entwicklung und Herstellung von Akkus und intelligenten Ladegeräten für den Einsatz im medizinischen Bereich. Die von dem aus Newcastle-under-Lyme in Großbritannien stammenden Anbieter von Akku-Lösungen verwendete Technik ermöglicht eine intelligente Kommunikation zwischen Akku und Ladegerät. Dies erhöht die Sicherheit der Geräte, verringert die Ladezeit und verlängert die Lebensdauer der Akkus. Compamed findet vom 20. bis 22. November statt. Sie finden Accutronics in Halle 8b, an Stand F30. 

Das intelligente Ladegerät enthält einen Mikroprozessor, der für die Kommunikation mit intelligenten Akkus entwickelt wurde, in die Mikrochips integriert sind. Intelligente Akkus und Ladegeräte von Accutronics werden weltweit in Geräten wie Ventilatoren, Röntgendetektoren, Verneblern, Patientenmonitoren und Datenschreibern in der Endoskopie eingesetzt.

Die Technik gewährleistet die Steuerung durch den Akku; Spannungs- und Stromversorgung werden vom Ladegerät nur bei Bedarf angefordert. So wird nicht nur ein Überladen des Akkus vermieden, es wird auch Energie gespart.

Die intelligente Ladetechnik von Accutronics ist außerdem zellchemie-unabhängig, eine Aufrüstung bei Einführung neuer Akkutechnologien wird also überflüssig. Dies ist besonders relevant in einem Bereich, in dem die Technik sich rasant entwickelt und Produkte verschiedener Generationen häufig nicht miteinander kompatibel sind.

Die intelligenten Ladegeräte des Unternehmens sind sowohl im Design als auch in der Verwendung flexibel. Sie können für die Aufnahme von Niederspannungs-Gleichstrom (DC) oder Wechselstrom (AC) eingerichtet werden. Je nach Anforderungen des Kunden sind außerdem Lösungen mit Einzel- oder Mehrfachladeschächten möglich.

„Accutronics entwickelt mit seinen AccuPro-Service maßgeschneiderte Akkus und Ladegeräte speziell für Erstausrüster (OEM-Kunden),“ erklärt Rob Phillips, Geschäftsführer von Accutronics. „Unser Ziel ist es, Lösungen anzubieten, die auf die Bedürfnisse des professionellen Spitzentechnologiemarktes wie z. B. den Medizin- und Gesundheitsbereich, zugeschnitten sind.“

„Im Idealfall erarbeitet Accutronics schon in der Frühphase der Produktentwicklung gemeinsam mit dem Kunden eine maßgeschneiderte Lösung für jedes einzelne Projekt,“ erläutert Phillips weiter. „Mit unserer Entellion-Produktreihe bieten wir jedoch auch einsatzfertige Lösungen, mit denen unsere Kunden Zeit und Geld sparen. Beispiele für den Einsatz von Entellion sind unsere Kreditkarten- und VR420-Akku-Produktreihe sowie der kürzlich eingeführte modulare Intelligent Power Vault®.

Das erstgenannte Produkt bietet Höchstleistungen in einem kompakten, kreditkartengroßen Format, während letzteres die neueste intelligente Lithium-Ionen-Akkutechnologie, intelligente Ladeelektronik und eine effiziente geregelte Leistungssteuerung in einem wiederaufladbaren Hochenergie-Akkusystem vereint, das problemlos in medizinische Geräte und Notstromgeräte integriert werden kann.“