Technology is bringing a major revolution in the medical industry, especially in terms of the functionality and features of medical devices. The desire for innovation has influenced humans to think differently, changing the methods, techniques, and most importantly, the foundations of the medical industry.

Modern medicine is the result of the extended role that technology plays in all areas of healthcare and medicine. Today, no process or method can function without the involvement of technology. The idea of ​​bringing, improving, and updating healthcare is actually happening!

Manual recording methods and monitoring systems have been replaced by modern tablets, smartphones, and iPads. Patients can now easily contact their doctors even from home. Moreover, they can receive medical records, reports, and latest updates on their smartphones within a short period of time.

Apart from this, here are some electronic advancements worth considering that have made a huge impact on medical practices and systems:

Electronic Health Records or EHR: Gone are the days when medical staff had to record manually and struggle with poorly integrated systems. Today, there is no need to record separately and eventually merge on a structured platform, as EHR makes this possible from the outset. Practitioners can now integrate the patient’s information instantly. EHR is also a modern tool for data-driven medicine.

Mobile Health: The next factor worth considering is mobile health, which frees doctors and patients from having to deal with wires and cables every time they check details. As of 2019, the mobile health market has been reported to be over $20 billion and is expected to continue to grow in the coming decades. The medical industry has been credited with medical advancements that have brought new and better ways to deal with health issues.

Wireless Communications: Hospitals have used instant messaging apps and walkie-talkies to communicate instead of overhead public address systems and pagers. These mediums are responsible for delivering information, alerts, and messages to web apps, smartphones, iPads, and other clinical systems in use.

Evolution of Medical PCB Assembly

There is more to the advancement of technology and medical devices, and people may no longer need the services of hospitals and doctor’s offices. Medical PCB services are a result of evolution that makes medical operations easier and more stress-free. Diagnosis is one of the key steps to fully utilize these electronic devices to minimize treatment time and increase treatment efficiency.

PCB assembly in the medical field introduced better versions of X-ray, ultrasound, MRI, and medical imaging machines, followed by premium CT scanners. There are even life-saving devices that monitor diseases and provide treatment, therapeutic services, and life support.

The cumbersome procedures behind medical PCB assembly

In order to facilitate the use of specialized electronic devices by customers, medical PCB manufacturers must go through a comprehensive planning, preparation, and execution process. They first create a concept, then conduct research circuits and printed circuit design, manufacturing, prototyping, design review, and most importantly, quality inspection. PCB design, prototyping, and packaging are often critical stages because they determine whether the PCB assembly is feasible.

A printed circuit board assembly or PCBA is a combination of multiple components that are assembled together in a specific order to form an assembly. M4edical PCB is a circuit board customized for medical devices.

Manufacturing is the next important stage to ensure that the product is completed. Once the design is completed, the manufacturer must convert it into a product shape, but before that, prototyping is necessary because it will guide the appearance of the product. Medical PCB manufacturers must demonstrate capabilities by understanding the design before starting work. In addition, they must follow the strict measurements provided and then follow some specific requirements such as liquid resistance, etc.

Technologies Used in Medical PCB Assembly

The medical industry is proudly using the following technologies to provide the best to its patients:

Via-in-pad/HDI technology: As the name suggests, vias are inserted into the copper pads to save space on the printed circuit board. With the in-pad technology, the space of the PCB is larger than the older versions.

The in-pad technology became well-known once it was invented due to the demand for smaller electronics and pitch devices. While buried and blind vias also help save space and increase component density, nothing has proven to be more effective than via-in-pad. They have a proven skill in making PCBs run efficiently.

SMT or Surface Mount Technology: All medical PCB manufacturers use SMT to manufacture commercial devices, providing a ton of advantages to the users. Even more, the technology allows packing more items in a limited space, followed by PCB assembly and automated soldering to save costs and improve reliability.

PCB Pitch and Fine Lines: The latest generation of electronic devices completely relies on high-density interconnect technology, especially pitch and fine lines. It offers advantages over other traditional technologies, namely enhanced wiring, cheaper manufacturing costs, and smaller board sizes.

Medical Devices Assembled Using PCBs

In fact, more than half of all medical devices currently available in the market are using PCB technology. Thanks to the efficiency and productivity gains of PCB technology, medical implementation has become easier and less laborious for both doctors and patients.

Some of the medical PCB devices worth considering include:

Implantable Medical Devices: Implantable medical devices are complex components of implantable medical devices that operate under completely different standards compared to other PCBs. The reason behind this is the delicate implantation needs, and the expectations that come with them. These medical devices include:
Cochlear Implants: Process sounds and provide hearing aids.
Implantable Defibrillators: Designed to protect people from heart problems caused by sudden trauma.
Responsive Neurostimulators or RNS: Designed to treat brain problems, especially epilepsy.
Medical Diagnostic/Imaging Devices: These PCB-based devices are the source of improved and modernized medical services. Their uses are varied, among which the following are worth considering:
Magnetic Resonance Imaging or PRI
Ultrasound Machines
Computed Axial Tomography or CT Scan

Monitoring Devices: PCB technology has introduced different types of monitoring devices, especially blood glucose monitors, temperature monitors, and blood pressure monitors.
Apart from the above mentioned types, there are many more medical PCB devices that have brought a revolution in healthcare delivery. Some of them are:
Pacemakers
Electrical Muscle Stimulation Devices
X-Ray Computed Tomography Scans
Heart Monitors
Dispensing and Flow Systems
Neurostimulators
Peristaltic Infusion Technology
Infusion Fluid Control
EMG Activity Systems

Importance of Surface Mount Technology (SMT) in Medical Devices
Many medical PCB manufacturers use surface mount technology to place circuit components directly on PCBs. The end product is called a surface mount device or SMD because it can be simply mounted on a flat surface. Unlike the current traditional procedures, SMT works with leaded or footed components that pass through holes in the PCB and then undergo a soldering process.

The biggest advantage of SMT is the ease of automation. Manufacturers have found that surface mount automation is easier than soldering tiny holes that are not always ready at present. Apart from this, the following factors give SMT an edge over other methods:

More cost-effective compared to PCBA through-hole method

No need to make many holes, so drilling is less frequent

Components can be placed on either side of the board

Surface mount technology components are smaller in size and take up less space than traditional leaded components

SMT has better density than traditional parts

The productivity and efficiency of SMT is much higher than PCBA, especially when dealing with constant motion and vibration

Important Decision – Reliable Medical PCB Manufacturer

In addition to focusing on medical devices, another factor worth considering is choosing the right medical PCB manufacturer, who must have a wealth of knowledge and professionalism to design reliable medical devices.

It is quite difficult to find a large list of circuit board manufacturers, but the most important thing is their productivity and other capabilities. Each PCB manufacturer has a different set of services that customers must identify and make choices accordingly.

Generally, the following points play a key role in selecting the right medical PCB manufacturer:

Systematic work according to guidelines
Machine type, quantity and quality
Quality control measures
Production lines
Availability of basic parts
Adherence to dimensions and other specifications
Timely delivery
Employee skills and expertise (especially pick-and-place employees)
Differentiation between lead-based and non-lead production
Availability of adequate storage space or finished goods warehouse

Obviously, most manufacturers choose SMT over other technologies to manufacture PCB assemblies. They are not only convinced of its better performance, but also its reliability and adaptability to meet the requirements of the equipment.