High Density Interconnects in Medical Devices

For any technology to make its way into the medical field, it must be proven safe for people and able to meet the specific needs of the industry. Whether your PCB will be helping to deliver life-saving medication or transmitting microvolt electrical signals for electrophysiology, it’s critical that every element of the device works properly and reliably. That includes the connectors with their tiny electrical pins, the wire with a specialized design to transfer those signals, and even the plastic housing that keeps everything together.

All these parts work together to help save and enhance lives, but they also need to be extremely small and light. Using high density interconnect technology allows more components to fit on the same surface of your PCB board, decreasing the overall size and weight of the final product. It also allows for higher-performance capabilities in the same space, boosting data-transmission speeds and reducing signal losses and crossing intervals.

Medical interconnect solutions must be able to handle the extreme temperatures and electromagnetic interference associated with medical environments. Additionally, they must be able to function seamlessly and be capable of connecting with the various types of sensors used in the body. This is because each part of the device must be able to transmit the microvolt signals that enable life-impacting decisions to be made.

The Role of High Density Interconnects in Medical Devices

The high-density interconnect (HDI) technology that is used in medical devices can help to achieve these goals. It’s a type of printed circuit board that has multiple layers, each of which contains conductive pathways to connect different components. This makes them an ideal solution for electronic designs with limited space.

Unlike traditional PCBs, which have single-layer structures, HDI boards typically have two to five layers. The outermost layer is a base material like copper or glass, while the inner layers are printed with conductive tracks to allow current to flow through them.

A key feature of HDI boards is that they can include blind vias, which are holes drilled into the outermost layer to link it with the inner layers. These are a vital component of any PCB design, as they decrease parasitic effects. However, they can’t be used in all applications because they require special fabrication processes.

Medical electronics and PCBs need to be extremely compact and lightweight, which is why many of them use the HDI technology. In addition to the medical industry, they are also popular in aerospace defense and missile technology because of their durability and reliability.

Nortech has a long history of designing and manufacturing specialty wire, cable and harness products for a variety of industries. We understand the unique requirements of each and can work with you to ensure that your end products will be able to deliver on their promises. Contact us today to get started! We can’t wait to work with you.