Tag Archive: iso 13485

1. ISO:13485 Benefits

   June 23, 2022 2:48 pm Leave a Comment

   What is ISO 13485?

   ISO 13485 is a medical device manufacturing certification that ensures customers of the regulations and procedures necessary for product development. This certification applies to the medical industry manufacturing of wire and cable connectors, surface mount and through-hole printed circuit boards, cable, wire processing, wire harness, and panel wire assemblies. Accordingly, issued on October 29, 2021, PGF Technology is an ISO-certified company that provides many benefits for all medical industry customers.

   What are the Medical Certification Benefits?

   Manufacturing medical devices and similar services require immense precaution and regulatory action to provide customers and patients with the most efficient products. With a variety of potential processes and safety measures, medical certifications allow quality management systems to follow established appropriate measures. As a medical assembly certification, ISO 13485 benefits manufacturing plants and customers in providing transparent safety regulations. After all, customers seeking manufacturers to complete various medical projects are more inclined to work with ISO-certified companies as they are guaranteed proper processing and effective medical devices. 

   Worldwide Access

   The need for medical products, services, and industry manufacturers is a global and continuous market. To gain customers from all around the world, companies must provide effective products assembled from efficient processes. The medical certification provides customers the relief of knowing the necessary manufacturing assembly tactics are in place. Similarly, manufacturers gain more access to worldwide markets. With a standard certification, companies meet quality requirements to advertise their services internationally. Customer acquisition is more easily attainable, while potential customers increase with the ability of global outreach.

   

   Process Improvement

   As the manufacturing processes are standardized, companies continue improving efficiency and safety. Additionally, other services offered by the company can follow a similar assembly protocol showcasing improvement across the organization.

   Increased Efficiency

   Standard certification regulations help to increase efficiency within the companies while providing the ability to monitor supply chain performance. Manufacturers have clear process guidelines to follow, allowing for faster and more productive assemblies.

   Safety

   The ISO certification demonstrates safer and more effective medical devices due to the safety measures in place. The medical industry requires immense precautions to ensure the success of all delivered products. Additionally, manufacturers provide transparent and credible processes for each project and customer concerning medical equipment.

   Regulation Requirements

   To receive the ISO 13485 certification, companies must meet the regulatory requirements, as well as essentially the customer expectations. Arguably the most critical aspect of the medical certifications, the medical service requirements provides the credibility of manufacturers. All in all, the medical industry globally focuses on the safety and requirements of assembly to claim a successful manufacturing process.

   

   PGF Medical Service Expertise

   As can be seen, PGF Technology’s ISO certification demonstrates the company’s devotion to credibility, transparency, and quality products and services. Effectively, customers’ satisfaction and product functionality is the highest priority during all medical projects. To learn more about the printed circuit board medical assemblies and prototype services, PGF provides free downloadable eBooks.

    

   

2. Design for a Medical PCB Assembly

   December 10, 2021 8:52 pm Leave a Comment

   Playing the Game

   When it comes to medical devices, no average or sub-par printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) is going to cut it! In this live-action game of Operation, the consequences are real, and the assembly is accountable.

   As a premier manufacturer of printed circuit boards, PGF Technology Group fully understands the importance of proper PCBA design for medical devices and systems. However, some may find the design process challenging since many factors must be considered. These factors include safety requirements, cleanliness standards, industry/application-specific regulations, and more. That’s why our team has put together the following guide, which goes over some of the key considerations to keep in mind when designing medical PCB assemblies.

    

   Safety First

   Accuracy and precision are crucial to avoiding the buzzer. Many medical devices are designed to perform vital functions while living in or on the human body for extended periods, such as insulin pumps and pacemakers so that any malfunction can put the patient’s life at risk. That’s why manufacturers must design and build these products and their components carefully to ensure patient safety. PCBA manufacturers should consider the operational and environmental conditions (e.g., fluid exposure, temperature), their effect on the product, and the measures needed to combat those effects.

    

   Cleanliness Is Close to Godliness

   A clean workplace is a safe workplace. This saying is especially pertinent in the medical industry, where cleanliness can significantly affect the health and wellbeing of patients and the performance and lifespan of devices. That’s why PCBA manufacturers will often use materials that form surfaces that are easy to clean and disinfect and incorporate strict cleaning practices into production operations to remove any residues left behind from manufacturing processes. Additionally, according to the cleanliness of product clause in ISO 13485 Medical Devices — Quality Management Systems — Requirements for regulatory purposes, organizations need to document product cleanliness or contamination control requirements.

    

   Read the Rule Book

   To properly play the game, you have to know the rules. In the medical industry, products are subject to numerous regulations outlining how they should be designed, manufactured, used, etc. Knowing, understanding, and following them is essential to the success of a product.

    

   ISO 13485

   Firstly, one of the most critical regulations relevant to medical PCBAs and other electronics is ISO 13485, which establishes the requirements for quality management systems for companies involved in one or more of the lifecycle stages of a medical device or the supply of products. The 2016 update of the standard brought the requirements in line with those already mandated by the FDA.

   Companies can be certified to this standard, meaning their quality management system has been verified to meet its strict requirements. The requirements aim to ensure the production of high-quality medical products that are safe and effective, which is why many countries require medical device companies to attain certification. In addition, ISO 13485 certified companies benefit from higher customer satisfaction, greater customer trust, and better credibility.

    

   IPC Class 3 Standards

   Other specifications to consider are the IPC Class 3 Standards. Companies that meet these specifications value skill, constant improvement, and intense scrutiny. They know that a buzzer in the game signals a life or death scenario, so practices must be monitored and perfected.

    

   PGF Technology Group maintains the ISO 13485 compliance and IPC Class 3 Standards for any project connected to medical devices.

    

   What’s the Use?

   In addition to safety, manufacturers must keep in mind the usability of PCBAs. For example:

   • Is SMT or thru-hole assembly appropriate? Manufacturers should reference the specific design requirements from the client to ensure that they utilize the best method of assembly. This process may include prototypes to review board real estate and functionality.
   • How small is too small? While it can be tempting to go with the smallest PCBA design, a design that is too small can limit the complexity of your device. You need to ensure enough space to incorporate all components for a fully operational and reliable instrument.
   • What is the min/max amount of energy input? Determine the circuit’s energy to run during typical and peak operation.

    

   Making It Easy

   Anyone who has built an IKEA item understands the pain caused by a hard-to-assemble project. Without clear-cut instructions and imagery to demonstrate design, the process can become prolonged. Medical PCBA designers can eliminate this pain by designing with assembly in mind; assemblers should not have trouble reaching and mating cables to connectors, soldering connections or placing other essential components. Additionally, the assembled product should be testable using various methods. Some examples include visual assessment, Solder Paste Inspection (SPI), X-ray scanning, In-Circuit Testing (ICT), and Automated Optical Inspection (AOI).

    

   Medical Device Solutions at PGF Technology

   Want to learn more about the critical design considerations for medical PCB assembly? Ask the experts at PGF Technology Group! As an ISO 13485 certified company specializing in PCBA, we can answer or address any of your questions and concerns. Importantly, you can check out our eBook, Key Considerations for Medical PCB Assembly, to overview the vital considerations to keep in mind when designing and assembling medical PCBAs.

   At PGF Technology, we have the knowledge, experience, and certifications to deliver PCBA solutions that meet the most stringent specifications. Contact us or request a quote today if you want to partner with us for your medical PCBA needs.