It takes months of R&D, numerous prototypes, and a few scrapped concepts for the design of a device used in patient care to be finalized and approved. However, one aspect is often still missing at this stage: the medical equipment's sensor technology.
Image Credit: Amphenol Advanced Sensors
Every OEM medical device design team thus has to make a choice between an off-the-shelf patient monitoring sensor or opt for a custom-made one.
When it comes to OEM medical equipment, the sensor aspect should not be a concern, and design teams should not have to lose sleep over performance or usability concerns.
While both types of sensors are capable of fulfilling the basic and necessary functions, variations in their functionality and durability can significantly impact the overall performance of the medical device, ultimately influencing user satisfaction and patient outcomes.
Patient monitoring sensors for medical devices
When it comes to patient monitoring sensors for medical devices, design teams have two options: utilizing a ready-made generic sensor or a custom sensor.
Ready-made generic sensors are widely available, designed, and manufactured to meet various purposes and performance requirements. They are readily accessible, much like aftermarket parts for vehicles.
On the other hand, custom sensors are specifically tailored to meet the demands of the application, providing more accurate readings and better performance. Since they are designed for a specific purpose, custom sensor technology can withstand the challenges of usage without compromising accuracy or reliability.
Ready-made sensors certainly have their advantages and are used daily by various OEMs for their devices. However, generic sensors have a notable drawback: they are simply not designed for the particular application at hand. Consequently, this sensor type can introduce a range of issues for the product:
- Fit
- Performance
- Environment
- Lifespan
1. Fit
Generic sensors – As the saying goes, trying to fit a square peg into a round hole is bound to cause problems. When these sensors are not specifically designed for your device, you will likely need to make costly and inefficient adjustments to accommodate them.
Any future modifications you wish to make could also become a logistical nightmare.
Custom sensors – Custom sensors are designed to fit seamlessly within your device, from the housing assembly to the sensor itself. This eliminates the need for expensive and time-consuming adaptations and also simplifies any future modifications you may want to undertake.
2. Performance
Generic sensors – As generic sensors are not tailored to your specific application, they are more susceptible to errors. This is not to say that generic sensors are always faulty, but when they are forced into an application without considering the unique environmental stresses and processes, the risk of malfunctions and errors increases.
They may also struggle to detect complex functions or lack accuracy when measuring certain data points or parameters.
Custom sensors – When conceptualizing a custom patient monitoring sensor, its expected performance metrics are carefully considered. The manufacturer takes into account the specific environment in which the sensor will be utilized and designs the product accordingly.
As a result, the sensor operates as intended, meets performance expectations, and provides accurate data while measuring complex functions, thereby offering a more comprehensive monitoring solution.
3. Environment
Generic sensors – It is not uncommon for off-the-shelf sensors to exhibit accuracy and reliability issues due to external factors that were not adequately considered during their creation. This comes at no surprise, as generic sensor manufacturers cannot plan for every possible scenario when developing their products.
For example, a commercially available pressure sensor may be highly accurate and have a long lifespan under normal conditions, but it could fail when exposed to fluids or high temperatures.
Custom sensors – Custom sensors are specifically designed to withstand even the harshest environmental conditions.
Whether it be extreme temperatures or high-pressure environments, these specialized sensors are engineered to maintain performance without degradation. They not only function as expected but also provide accurate data over an extended period, surpassing what generic sensors could ever achieve.
4. Lifespan
Generic sensors – Utilizing a generic sensor in an application it was not intended for can significantly shorten its lifespan, pushing it to its limits prematurely. This is akin to engaging the fifth gear in a vehicle and expecting it to sustain a speed of 80mph without affecting the engine.
Custom sensors – Custom sensors are purpose-built for specific applications, ensuring they can endure as long as necessary without succumbing to premature failure or malfunction. They are designed to provide longevity and reliability, meeting the demands of their intended use case.
Custom patient monitoring sensors: Investment vs. Value
In certain scenarios, opting for generic sensors is a convenient choice. Moreover, they generally come at a lower cost than custom sensors, which can be hard to overlook when operating on tight budgets.
A perceived barrier to entry, a custom-made sensor's pricepoint might seem too high to justify. But when you consider the long-term cost of ownership, custom sensors are often the more sensible choice.
Not only do they outlast generic sensors, but they also contribute to cost savings by reducing expenses on spare parts and minimizing potential device downtime in challenging environments, as they are less prone to malfunctioning.
Ultimately, the financials of a custom sensor does come down to its value. With a custom sensor, the investment caters to the following:
- Innovation – A sensor tailored for your device holds unique potential, facilitating device upgrades and exploration of new opportunities in medical equipment.
- Expertise – From design and engineering to validations, a custom patient monitoring sensor is developed with the insight of experienced professionals.
- Reliability – Custom sensors aligned with the specific needs and requirements inspire confidence in their performance, even under stringent conditions.
- Future efficiencies – Establishing a partnership with an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) sensor provider paves the way for future projects, eliminating the learning curve and establishing a shared set of expectations.
Medical device design and sensor technology: Customization is King
Consider a car dealership. While its lot may showcase a variety of sedans, each make and model possesses distinct features and performance capabilities. The same principle applies to the design and development of electronic medical instrumentation.
While your medical devices may measure the same metrics as those of your competitors, your final product stands apart with unique features.
Custom sensor technology meets custom medical instrument design and development head-on.
In addition to allowing the device to do the job it was designed for, custom-integrated medical sensors preserve the uniqueness of the final product without compromise. A carefully designed medical instrumentation cannot function to its intended potential without sensors explicitly designed for it.
Put simply, OEM medical equipment needs OEM sensors.
Customized patient monitoring sensors: An ideal solution
When it comes to medical device design, a generic sensor can do the job but will not provide all the benefits of custom-made sensors.
Patient monitoring sensors designed specifically for a device offer heightened robustness and functionality, surpassing off-the-shelf alternatives. They provide greater accuracy, reliability, and user satisfaction.
Considering the improved performance and enhanced patient outcomes, it is undeniable that investing in customized sensors is a worthwhile consideration when designing any type of OEM medical equipment.
About Amphenol Advanced Sensors
Amphenol Advanced Sensors, with its portfolio of industry-leading brands - Thermometrics, NovaSensor, Telaire, Protimeter and Kaye - is an innovator in advanced sensing technologies and innovative embedded measurement solutions customized for regulatory and applications, value by providing critical information for real-time decisions.
We offer domain expertise, rapid customization, world-class manufacturing capability and lasting customer relationships deliver the greatest value in cost of ownership to their customers.
Amphenol Advanced Sensors is a member of the USA-based Amphenol Corporation. With our own global presence we offer our customers exceptional technical support and service in the areas of development, production and distribution.
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