of economic and environmental considerations .
For the subset of surgical hand-tools that are designed to be re-usable , their components must be engineered to endure multiple autoclaving cycles : in some case as many as 3,000 cycles over the course of their operating life . Autoclave ( or steam sterilization ) cycles are one of the most effective means of fast sterilization of medical instruments . During autoclaving , equipment is exposed to up to 100 % humidity , 121 ° C minimum and variations between positive and negative pressures for up to 30 minutes ; the process is designed to kill bacteria , viruses , fungi and spores1 .
Autoclavable Brushless DC Motors Historically the availability of miniature motors that were capable of reliably surviving autoclave cycles was scarce , and often expensive . As such various approaches were developed by manufacturers which protected the motor – or avoided the autoclave cycle completely – such as disposable tools , removable battery packs and ‘ redundant seals ’ 2 . However , none of these solutions are compatible with the requirements for convenience as listed above . This is why more designers are looking to brushless DC motors to answer the three key challenges of cost , performance and reliability .
By replacing brushes and a commutator for an electronic drive , brushless DC motors deliver performance improvements over other motor technologies , such as quiet operation and longer operational life ( twice that of comparable brushed motors ). The brushless design can also deliver up to 30 % more torque than traditional motors of the same size , while generating less heat and greater speed control for the operator .
Designers should also typically specify brushless slotted ( rather than slotless ) technology , which , by design , offers protection to the slotted motor winding when inserted into the slots of the lamination stack . From here additional coating or moulding protection can easily be added within impacting the motor performance .
It is crucial to partner with miniature motor manufacturers who have a proven track record of delivering high-quality autoclavable
Exceptional global demand for hand-held surgical power tools is forecast to continue into the next decade .
solutions , given that the reliability and performance of these motors are vital in ensuring the success and safety of the surgical power tools being designed . Selecting a manufacturer with extensive experience in producing autoclavable motors also ensures that the devices will withstand the rigorous sterilization processes required in medical environments . For example , Portescap offers exceptional customization capabilities for 3,000 + autoclaving cycles as well as a complete range of sterilizable slotted motors designed to withstand 1,000 + autoclave cycles , and sterilizable slotless motors designed to withstand 200 + autoclave cycles .
Conclusion
Exceptional global demand for hand-held surgical power tools is forecast to continue into the next decade . As such , the outlook is positive for companies that are on the forefront of development . However , they are operating in a competitive environment , where pressure to reach the market must be balanced with ergonomic performance , product reliability and cost effectiveness .
Where products are intended to be re-used as part of their life cycle , then OEMs must ensure the tools are engineered to endure autoclaving cycles . It stands to reason that designers must adopt the most suitable technology to maintain reliability without sacrificing overall performance .
In this case , autoclavable brushless DC motors currently offer the best opportunity to designers looking to push the boundaries of size , performance and reliability for these critical devices .
For further information , please visit www . portescap . com
Issue 71 PECM 45