DSP-based software toolkit ups performance and image quality for medical imaging applications
Texas Instruments announced support of its free, easy-to-use medical imaging software toolkit (STK), a collection of imaging algorithms targeted for TI’s industry leading TMS320C66x digital signal processors (DSP) generation. Complementing TI’s full portfolio of analog and embedded processing solutions for real-time medical imaging, the upgraded toolkit offers image processing kernels...
TCP/IP stack runs at near wire speed
Express Logic recently reported that its NetX TCP/IP stack has achieved 94 Mbits/s, a 94% wire speed on Freescale’s ARM Cortex-M4-based Kinetis processor. The Kinetis has a 100-Mbit/s Ethernet port, which enables transfers at up to wire speed. Generally, TCP/IP stacks are less than 100% efficient, leading to performance well below wire speed. To facilitate rapid data transfer, the closer to...
Nuvoton Introduces Audio SoC with ARM core
Nuvoton Technology introduced the ChipCorder ISD9160 system-on-a-chip (SoC) device, which features a 32-bit ARM Cortex-M0 microcontroller core.  The IC is designed to optimize low-power audio recording and playback in portable medical devices. With a processor core running at up to 50 MHz, sophisticated power-management features, embedded flash and SRAM memory, real-time clock (RTC) control...
Microchip puts 8-bit MCUs with integrated configurable logic into 6- to 20-pin packages
Microchip Technology announced several new 8-bit PIC microcontrollers (MCUs) that feature configurable logic and a high level of peripheral integration in 6- to 20-pin packages. The PIC10F(LF)32X and PIC1XF(LF)150X MCUs each feature new peripherals, including configurable logic cells (CLC), complementary waveform generators (CWG), and numerically controlled oscillators (NCO). The CLC peripherals...
Single-Board Computer Designed for Medical Imaging
A single-board computer (SBC) was designed for demanding applications and can be used in medical imaging. The 6U VME SBC VM6050 incorporates an Intel Core i7 processor and features an Intel QM57 controller hub as well as Intel hyperthreading and Turbo Boost technology. It also offers on-board USB flash support and up to eight GByte of soldered ECC memory. Designed for demanding applications...
STMicroelectronics and MTL unveil ultra-low-voltage system-on-chip
STMicroelectronics and the Microsystems Technology Laboratories (MTL) of Massachusetts Institute of Technology presented the results of an advance R&D project targeting a low-power microprocessor technology at this year’s European Solid-State Circuits Conference in Helsinki, Finland. The voltage-scalable 32-bit microprocessor System-on-Chip (SoC) combines excellent peak performance...
Atmel launches tiny low-frequency RF IDIC package for direct coil mounting
Atmel announced the availability of an ultra-small XDFN (extremely thin dual flat no leads) package including a 363-bit read/write transponder IDIC. Measuring 2 by 1.5 by 0.37 mm, the transponder IDIC (ATA5577M1) is a high-volume, low-frequency (LF, 100-150kHz) RFID device designed for small tag applications. The two coil wires can directly be soldered onto the two pads of the package and mounted...
The Gamification of Healthcare
A conference session at Health 2.0 titled “Gaming and Health 2.0” considered how the gaming industry is assuming a growing role in healthcare. Stefan Armstrong, the moderator of the event and HCP Marketing partner, explained that gaming is effective at “aligning incentives.”  Incentives, of course, are deeply embedded in everything we do as humans. (Just ask an...
Touchless Mouse Helps Fight Contamination in Medical Environments
Qualstar announced the first model of a series of products based on its patent-pending touchless pointing technology. Called Topo Jojo, it represents a new approach to preventing contamination in clinical environments. Unlike traditional human interface devices, Topo Jojo uses infrared sensor technology to detect a finger’s motion in the air to control a PC display cursor.  Touchless...
Wind River introduces software platform with compliance documentation
Wind River is the next major operating system (OS) vendor to understand the value of having an enriched medical offering. The company recently introduced a platform for medical devices, which is part of a comprehensive software portfolio designed for medical device development, including those devices requiring premarket notification, FDA 510(k), or the more stringent Premarket Approval. The...
Handheld Safety Analyzer Designed for Testing Electronic Medical Devices
A handheld safety analyzer is designed for versatility in testing and asset management of electronic medical devices. The 62353 combines features of an automatic and manual tester with advanced data logging. It meets the requirements of IEC 62353, the standard for in-service and after-repair testing of medical electronic devices. The instrument can store up to 10,000 test records, customized...
Software Portfolio Designed for Medical Device Developers
 A company has released a software portfolio designed for medical device development. The commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) development and run-time platform enables device safety and security. It is built on the company's VxWorks, a real-time operating system (RTOS) with a history of use in medical devices. It also includes the company's Workbench, which is a collection of embedded software...
Static grounding system protects mobile/portable equipment
The newly upgraded intrinsically safe Earth-Rite TELLUS II from Newson Gale offers effective, constantly verified static ground monitoring for drums, IBCs, and other mobile or portable equipment during hazardous area operations. It’s suitable for use in the handling, transporting, or mixing of combustible products. The TELLUS II provides the operator with a bright green flashing LED to...
ARM-based Hercules MCUs ease IEC 61508 SIL 3 and ISO 26262 ASIL-D system certification
Designed to help developers obtain safety certifications, Texas Instruments (TI) announced its Hercules safety microcontroller platform for medical (and other) applications. The platform consists of three ARM Cortex-based microcontroller (MCU) families that deliver scalable performance, connectivity, memory, and safety features for applications that require a high level of reliability. Unlike...
TI launches 10 Bluetooth low energy profiles
Bluetooth low energy is an important wireless medium for the medical space. We’ve covered it lately and readers have told us how critical it is. Texas Instruments (TI), one of the innovators in wireless technologies, recently launched ten Bluetooth low energy technology (Bluetooth v4.0) profiles with associated sample applications for compliant sensor devices. The Bluetooth low energy...
Another defector from Intel, sort of
One of Intel’s biggest supporters, Kontron, has decided to adopt the ARM architecture for its embedded system platforms. Kontron is one of the leaders for embedded computers, and had been a strong supporter of Intel for most of its existence. While the company isn’t getting away from the Intel platform, they are adding the ARM architecture to their mix of products, which says a lot,...
MEMS Technology to Improve Quality of Life for the Aging
With the Baby Boomer generation reaching retirement age, a wave of elderly citizens is about to hit the United States. As people get older, they become more likely to develop serious health conditions. The CDC reports that 1.5 million people currently reside in skilled nursing homes. The spike in elderly citizens will likely result in major shortages of caregivers and assisted care facilities....
Benchtop UV-Curing Conveyor Unit Suited for Potting and Conformal Applications
 A benchtop UV-curing conveyor unit can provide up to 400 mW/cm2 of intensity, which can facilitate fast and complete curing for potting and conformal applications. The Dymax UVC-5 system can be part of a production line or used as standalone equipment for curing UV adhesives as well as UV curable inks and coatings. It can cure up to 10 meters per minute, with complete shielding from UV...
White Paper on the Nuts and Bolts of Battery Technology
I just came across an interesting white paper about the characteristics of batteries. It's called Battery Power - An Evolving Technology. I must admit it wasn't what I expected when I downloaded it. I was expecting something more along the lines of how rechargeable technologies have evolved. Nonetheless, I found it quite useful, as it covered the more nuts and bolts of battery technology. Written...
Medical developers must think differently
Medical developers must think differently The biggest difference between a mainstream embedded application and a medical application is that the medical device usually has to work right all the time, every time. For the majority of embedded applications, it a product has an infrequent error or needs a reboot, it’s a nuisance, but not much more than that. For medical applications, product...
Micrium lets you download full version of its uC/OS-III RTOS for free
Want to try out the source code from one of today’s recognized operating-system (OS) vendors? If so, go to Micrium’s web site where you’ll find the free download. This download is part of the company’s strategy to distribute its popular real-time kernel, uC/OS-III. By making the kernel “source available,” developers who want to evaluate uC/OS-III can download...
Developing on a PandaBoard with Kozio tools
I’m a big fan of the Beagleboard. In fact, when I was involved with the Embedded Systems Conference, we would run classes whereby every attendee would receive a Beagleboard and we’d teach a whole series of classes around it, showing people how to configure it specifically for their application. Now, I’m in possession of the follow-in product, the PandaBoard. The biggest...
Flexible EEG Headset Permits Home-Based Diagnosis and Care
Imagine a comfortable and lightweight headset that you put on and that immediately starts to capture your brain signals. No wires and additional electronics, everything is in the headset: a complete, flexible EEG (electro-encephalogram) system. The recorded brainwaves are processed in the headset, depending on the application. And the results are sent wirelessly to a base station, for example a...
PBS Looks at Prosthetics
I caught an interesting segment about advances in prosthetics on PBS NewsHour the other night. The story focuses on bionic legs, arms, and eyesight, among other advances, that are giving hope to people with disabilities. It touches on everything from the technology behind the devices to cost and ethics. It's obviously aimed at a lay audience but still worth a look. Check it out: Watch...
IBM Predicts the Future of Connected Medical Devices
What will connected medical devices look like going forward? IBM has an idea. The tech giant's Institute for Business Value recently released the results of a survey entitled "The future of connected health devices." For starters, new devices will likely target a broader user base. In the past, according to the report, medical devices have been aimed at either the health-...