The Interaction of Sterilization and Sealing on Medical Electronics

Sunkye Sealing technology Protects Electrical performance during sterilization, repeated sterilization means high reliability of hermetic connectors.

With increasing awareness of health and infection prevention, there is a growing trend to use sterilizable medical equipment. For example, medical equipment such as high-definition endoscopes, high-tech cameras, computer monitors, lighting modules, and surgical drills must be sterilized for safe reuse.

For many medical applications, an important consideration is a resistance to bacterial growth and cleanability. Connectors made with sterilizable materials that endure sterilization processes play a role in safety. Connectors often cannot be housed inside the protective casing of the machine, such as connectors that supply power or connect to devise attachments. These must be made from antimicrobial plastics and metals and resist cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization processes.

High reliability is another key requirement for medical devices. The long-lasting lifecycle of medical devices implies a high number of mating cycles. Shock and vibration resistance is a must to withstand impacts created by compressed air and mechanical power. Last but not least, devices used in hospital settings must be sterilizable with an autoclave or Steam Sterilization Technology and exposed to pressurized steam at high temperatures to destroy viable microorganisms. However, during sterilization, heat and moisture are generated that can damage electronic components and may cause performance loss or even short-circuiting after several sterilization cycles. Therefore, sealing technology is especially important for medical electronic equipment, which can protect medical equipment from moisture damage, keeping the equipment with long-term reliable function.

Electrical connectors support device functionality by conducting the electrical current and providing power and transferring electrical signals. When a connector fails, it can mean essential functions or even the entire medical device will no longer work. While it is hard to achieve both sterilization and high reliability of medical devices, there are existing solutions in sunkye connectors.

Sunkye Medical & Surgical Connector Solutions are available, and features sterilizable and autoclavable, Lightweight and easy to use, watertight up to IP68, with hermetically sealed options available, glass-to-metal sealing technology is incorporated into existing connectors and offering greater reliability and long life.

Used in medical applications, Sunkye connector is designed for:

►Operating Temperature: -55°C To 125°C

►Durability: 500 Mating Cycles

►high shock and vibration resistance

►Reliable data transmission with EMI/RFI shielding

►Corrosion proof and sterilizable

►watertight sealing

►Space saving with compact, small and lightweight designs