FibriCheck uses the camera of a smartphone or the optical sensors of a smartwatch to detect heartbeats and derive a heart rhythm.

Brussels – Belgium-based Qompium’s FibriCheck smartphone application for the detection of heart rhythm disorders has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance, becoming the first FDA-approved app for heart rhythm disorders using only an optical signal originating from a non-medical device such as a smartphone.

FibriCheck uses the camera of a smartphone or the optical sensors of a smartwatch to detect heartbeats and derive a heart rhythm. This technique is based on photoplethysmography (PPG). By using artificial intelligence in combination with medical software, FibriCheck can carry out an accurate analysis of the heart rhythm and inform the user and/or the physician about this condition.

The main purpose of FibriCheck is to detect atrial fibrillation, a disorder that affects 1 out of 4 adults and has a five-fold increase for having a cerebrovascular stroke. By using the FibriCheck technology, the user can timely detect atrial fibrillation and correct therapy can be provided.

A unique filing The FibriCheck-file was unique in its kind as it’s the first time the FDA approved a smartphone application to detect heart rhythm disorders without using any external medical devices. To receive this FDA clearance, FibriCheck had to demonstrate its accuracy compared to traditional technology to detect these heart rhythm disorders using an electrocardiogram or ECG. FibriCheck succeeded in achieving equal accuracy results compared to a state-of-the-art external device that connects to a smartphone with two electrodes to record a single lead ECG.

In 2016 FibriCheck received its European Class IIa clearance and earlier this year FibriCheck opened a satellite office in San Francisco to prepare for U.S. market entry. Since then, several business development activities have been set up to integrate FibriCheck’s underlying technology in existing hardware platforms.

How does FibriCheck work? Users place a finger on the camera of the smartphone for 1 minute. The camera measures the light reflection caused by the blood that is flowing in the fingertip, PPG. Based on this, a signal is constructed which represents the pulse signal. After each measurement the user is prompted to enter his symptoms (if any) and the data is sent to an online platform where artificial intelligence (AI) ensures an accurate diagnosis of the heart rhythm. Next, data is processed in such a way they can be interpreted by a healthcare professional or a remote monitoring center. Finally, the diagnostic results are aggregated into a report that contains all the necessary information and a recommendation for a call to action, if needed.

Currently, FibriCheck can only be used through the means of an access token/code issued by a healthcare organization or provider. This enables clinical follow-up in a controllable way. Alternative modes of operation are currently being implemented.

Heidenhain offers online learning program; Open Mind attending Okuma America’s Winter Showcase; XJet opens Additive Manufacturing Center; Forest City Gear using Niton XRF Analyzer.

Cleveland, Ohio – Forest City Gear can now perform fast, comprehensive analysis and verification of metal alloys for quality assurance and control using its new Thermo Scientific Niton XRF Analyzer. The Niton XRF Analyzer enables Forest City Gear to quickly and easily verify that the metal alloys used in barstock and/or near net shape blanks received from outside suppliers meet specifications before gears are produced.  It can also be used to confirm that the chemical composition of metal alloys after heat treat meets requirements. The Analyzer can even be used to verify the plating thickness over metal to ensure that plating performed by outside vendors conforms to specification.

XJet Ltd. has opened an 8,000ft2 Additive Manufacturing Center in Rehovot Science Park, Israel. Comprised entirely of XJet Carmel AM systems, the AM Center will support XJet in developing new 3D printing materials and applications. Using the company’s NanoParticle Jetting (NPJ) technology, the XJet Carmel AM series allows manufacturers to produce ceramic or metal parts with the ease and versatility of inkjet printing. The NPJ technology produces highly complex parts with superfine details, smooth surfaces, and pinpoint accuracy. Cavities and fine details can be created with no concern that they will be harmed in the support-removal process, as a separate material is used for support structures, a material that easily disintegrates post printing. 

Open Mind Technologies AG will be participating in the annual Winter Showcase at the Partners in Thinc and Okuma America Corp. headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina, Nov. 28-29, 2018 from 9am to 4pm each day and registration, which starts at 8:30am, is free for the event.

Winter Showcase attendees will have the opportunity to meet with Open Mind representatives and all the members of the Partners in Thinc collaboration to see how the latest manufacturing technologies work together. Open Mind will have three hyperMILL CAD/CAM software demonstrations at Winter Showcase including creating a turn/mill part on an Okuma MULTUS B250II, an engine casing being produced with additive manufacturing (AM) on an Okuma MU-6300V LASER EX, and a 5-axis surfacing part featuring a lion, to be machined on the Okuma GENOS M460V-5AX machine.

Heidenhain’s newest multimedia online CNC controls learning program Heidenhain Interactive Training – HIT 3.0 – is used for providing advanced and apprentice-level skilled training for NC users using Heidenhain TNC protocols. Replacing HIT 2.0, this new online training program is launching a revised 3-axis machining learning program. With the new guided programming function, the user can gain realistic practice with Klartext programing and DIN/ISO programming within the learning packet. Errors in operation are excluded by the learning software, and users receive tips when they make incorrect entries. A help function, with which the respective solution can be checked, is also available as a feedback system. This feedback system determines how successfully an exercise or test has been performed.

HIT 3.0 uses HTML5 technology and can run in current HTML5-compatible browsers. For mobile end devices with Android and iOS operating systems, as well as for the Windows 10 operating system, the Moodle learning platform provides an app with which the learning content can be used offline as well. For this to work, the entire HIT learning software must first be downloaded to the app on the end device. The app is available in the Apple App Store, in the Google Play Store, and in the Microsoft Store (search for Moodle).

The Mitutoyo Institute of Metrology now provides free online standards-based calibration video training with the opportunity to earn certified credentials in dimensional calibration – a first of its kind in the United States. The online training videos are available for free with no obligation for testing.

Metrology professionals can now access all calibration training videos through the Mitutoyo America website or Mitutoyo America YouTube Channel. The training material leverages the available American Metrology Standards with best calibration practices at Mitutoyo. The first online course, “General Calibration Concepts, Micrometers and Calipers” is available online for free. Certified credentials are available in both theory and performance.

The Mitutoyo Institute of Metrology will continue to offer traditional classroom calibration certifications courses, as well.

ADM Tronics has developed, engineered all supply chain components required to manufacture Qol Devices’ Alvio Respiratory Therapy device.

Northvale, New Jersey – ADM Tronics Unlimited Inc. officials announced in a recent press release that the company has completed development and engineering to bring the Alvio Respiratory Therapy platform to production-ready status. All components are in place for the initial 100-unit production run being assembled and Alvio devices from this run will be deployed for patient and clinic testing.

Announced nearly a year ago, ADMT entered into an agreement with QoL Devices Inc., for development, regulatory activities, and manufacturing of the Alvio platform targeted for use in non-regulated respiratory training applications as well as for medical respiratory indications.

Bez Arkush, founder and President of QoL commented that, “this is a significant milestone for our respiratory technology that has the potential to help millions of people.”

The initial Alvio production units are slated for user and clinic testing under the direction of Dr. Bruce Johnson who has dedicated his research to improving treatment of patients with pulmonary conditions.

ADMT has developed and engineered all the supply chain components required to manufacture Alvio devices in ADMT's FDA-registered medical device manufacturing facility. QoL and ADMT plan to first introduce a non-regulated version of Alvio for sale to consumers for breathing training, while preparing submission to FDA for clearance of Alvio for medical applications in the U.S. and for CE marking for Europe.

Arkush says the Alvio, the a fully integrated respiratory therapy platform, mobile connected, respiratory sensor and trainer, is a device that is “positioned to disrupt the $5+ billion U.S. and the $6+ billion international respiratory therapy markets.”

ADMT President Andre' DiMino notes that the Alivo “has the potential to help so many with debilitating respiratory problems. It is especially gratifying to me to be bringing forward a technology that can help children with asthma.”

ADMT is an equity holder in QoL.

“Ceramics Additive Manufacturing Markets 2017-2028” shows the market will be driven by strong CAGR in end-use part production.

In this second report from SmarTech Publishing on the ceramics 3D printing market, “Ceramics Additive Manufacturing Markets 2017-2028,” readers will learn about the most up to date market data and analysis of market trends at the professional and industrial level. The report breaks down the ceramic 3D printing opportunity across numerous user industries as well as different additive manufacturing (AM) technologies, materials and material supports, part types, and geographical market regions.

The report provides updated information on all major players and movers in the ceramic AM market, including Lithoz, 3D Ceram Sinto, Admatec, Prodways, Tethon 3D, 3D Systems, Kwambio, voxeljet, ExOne, HP, Johnson Matthey, Nanoe, XJet, and several more.

Ceramics AM adoption will experience an inflection point after 2025 as all major AM technologies that support ceramics production come to maturity and enjoy a sufficient presence in the market to support actual serial production. SmarTech is currently forecasting that this shift will be driven by imitating and benefiting from the experience of powder metal additive manufacturing. In particular the adoption of ceramics injection molding-based (CIM-based) AM processes is expected to drive larger batch production in the same way as metal injection molding-based (MIM-based) additive processes are now expected to significantly expand AM adoption and throughput capabilities, lowering costs.

Final parts value for both technical and traditional ceramic parts is expected to represent the most significant opportunities driving the market for the medium to long term future. Compared to relatively low revenues generated by technical and traditional ceramic materials, this trend indicated that in ceramics AM more than in any other material family, the primary value is in the process, meaning that additively manufacturing a ceramic part increases the value of the material used to produce it several times.

Ceramics AM technologies are now largely available so perhaps the biggest challenge to address today is the creation of market demand. Many companies that produce ceramic components, especially advanced ceramic components, could be benefiting significantly from subassemblies and Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM) ceramic parts but in many cases still need to imagine, envision, design, and develop the parts that will make ceramic AM processes and materials truly cost effective.

The report goes on to analyze pros, cons, and generated revenues of the dominant AM technologies for processing ceramics, both technical (advanced) and traditional (clay-like). These include material extrusion, photopolymerization, and binder jetting 3D printing technologies. Currently available high-end industrial system data are complemented by a deep analysis of new and emerging technologies such as low-cost hardware systems and new jetting processes. All analyses are supported with hardware and material market shipments, sales, installations, and future forecasts through 2028 to provide a fully comprehensive insight into the future of ceramic 3D printing.

In 2018, the ceramics 3D printing market is focusing on AM part production, benefiting from the experience acquired by adopters and system original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) who are working with metal and polymer technologies. Ceramic AM, however, presents a distinct set of advantaged and challenges which are explored in detail in this report, along with the latest successful use cases. SmarTech analysts believe that a proper understanding of the opportunity in ceramics 3D printing technology worldwide requires both a deep understanding of the individual nature of each print technology, but also an understanding of the interrelationship between these technologies and a specific family of ceramic materials, to fully understand how they can be integrated within current industrial manufacturing options.

Companies developing materials and providing ceramic AM services or specific applications have come to understand that AM’s extreme geometric capabilities are proving ideal for production of complex ceramic parts in all major ceramic adoption segments - medical, aerospace, automotive, marine, energy, electronics, dental, biomedical - which are already among the first adopters of AM technologies. 

Atomic layer deposition technology has the potential to disrupt the whole field of healthcare industries.

Richardson, Texas – Picosun Group, a global provider of Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) thin film coating technology, now offers PicoMEDICAL solutions specifically developed for the needs of medical device manufacturers. Available is a product family targeted for medical industries. Based on the company’s existing product portfolio, PicoMEDICAL solutions combine the ALD process, equipment, services, and support into complete turnkey packages ready to be implemented into the manufacturing process flows, even in the industries that are still new to ALD.

Ultra-thin, biocompatible, and bioactive ALD films manufactured with Picosun’s production ALD equipment already encapsulate surgical implants and improve adhesion to bone, speeding the healing process and protecting patients from possible metal ion leakage from the implant into the body.

And, this is only the beginning. Remote healthcare solutions rely on various wearable or implantable microelectronic sensors that monitor physiological functions. Advanced neurological and cardiological treatments use implantable probes equipped with miniature electronics. All of these devices require a reliable method to protect the implanted parts from corrosion caused by body fluids, and the patient from the rejection reaction caused by an alien object in the body. As several ALD materials are intrinsically biocompatible, and as the ALD method creates high quality coatings that form pinhole-free, conformal, uniform, and hermetic encapsulation around the coated object, ALD finds uses in all sectors of medical industries and offers atomic level precise solutions to various challenges medical equipment manufacturers face.