Valtronic Segments
Valtronic
Newsletter
Volume IX Issue 1
Spring 2013
In this Issue
:: Company News
:: Industry News
:: Behind the Scenes
:: Events
:: Tech Talk
:: Partners
Company News

Valtronic Introduces Glass Encapsulation

Valtronic is excited to announce our ability to now use glass for encapsulating implants, providing our customers with an exclusive advantage.  Glass encapsulation has been used in various other high-tech industries and is a proven technology.  Hermetic glass encapsulation provides a total leak-proof housing. Glass-sealed packages are used mostly in critical components and assemblies. It solves several problems in the development and manufacture of active implants due to its strong properties and extended life.

 

Active Implants are Class III electromechanical medical devices functioning in the human body. Challenges of Active Implants include: electronic autonomy, their size and their imperviousness to body fluids and biological interfaces. To address these challenges, Active Implants require a battery or power system, miniaturization of electrodes and encapsulation of the components to protect and preserve the properties and functions of the implant.

 

"This new capability provides Valtronic with a unique opportunity to reduce an implants power consumption, increase its functionality while reducing its size." states Jim Ohneck, Valtronic's Chief Marketing Officer. "We have exclusive rights to this technology for the medical industry worldwide and are excited about this opportunity." 

 

To learn more about the technical aspects of Glass Encapsulation we have included a full presentation in this issue's Tech Talk.

  


Valtronic and Debiotech Announce Partnership Agreement

 

Valtronic SA and Debiotech have entered into an exclusive partnership agreement to manufacture the electronic controller unit for Debiotech's novel insulin "JewelPUMP™"

 

The disposable insulin pump combines Debiotech's expertise in insulin delivery systems with Valtronic's experience in manufacturing high-quality and ultra-miniaturized electronic devices.   The result being the smallest microfluidic MEMS device for the diabetes treatment.   The watertight pump can be mounted on a disposable skin patch to provide continuous insulin infusion.  


Read the entire JewelPUMP release.


                            
.JewelPUMPTM

 

Industry News

iNEMI Roadmap is Now Available 

The 2013 Roadmap was developed by 20 Technology Working Groups (TWGs) in response to input regarding technology needs from representatives of OEMs in six Product Emulator Groups (PEGs). These groups included more than 650 individuals from over 350 corporations, consortia, government agencies and universities, located in 18 countries.

The PEGs define OEM requirements for their respective product sectors, anticipating product technology and business-related needs over a 10-year horizon.

For access to the summary which was presented at the recent Results Webinar visit Summary of the Roadmap.

For access to the entire report visit INEMI Roadmap .

Behind the Scenes   

  

Meet Frederic Mauron  
 
Frederic Mauron
Biomedical Engineering, Director Business & Administration 
 

What is the most important part of your job?      

 

The most important part of my job is to bring projects at various stages of development and establish the most efficient structure to get them to the desired stage of maturity.   

 

What do you enjoy most about what you do?     

 

I really enjoy participating in innovative projects which enhance the quality of life of people. I'm especially motivated when I think about the kids or sick person needing the technology application that will help them.

 

What is a typical day like for you?

    
I do not really have a typical day as my activity is very diverse, one day meeting doctors or physiologists and the next day  getting involved in very detailed technical processes to find an applicable solution.

 

What is your background and how did you enter this field?    

 

My background is in micro-technical studies as well as business development.   My interests in electronic miniaturization and their application in the biological field began in the early 2000's.  This field was in the pioneer stage and there have been many projects where we started learning by doing.  There was trial and error but we never stopped learning. Now we are coming to a mature state where we can apply the accumulated experience to  the benefit of our customers.

 


What is the most important lesson you have learned in your career?
 

 

If I should retain a lesson from the years, I would say "Never stop being curious, creative and willing to learn."

 

Lastly, what do you look forward to doing that is not work related?

 

In my free time, I do enjoy being a soccer trainer and I'm currently training a girl's soccer team in the Swiss National degree. I also enjoy spend my free time with my family.

 

 

Valtronic Welcomes

 

USA

Claudio DiPadova  - Production Supervisor 

  

Switzerland

Laure Chausse - Buyer

Michel Jossevel  - Mainteneance 

Events 

Tradeshows & Conferences 
  

USA


   

April 23 - 25, 2013

The conference will bring together key officials and representatives from both government and industry to examine the requirements for access into the UAS, research needs, recent developments, critical capability gaps and directions in the industry.

  

Visit UAS Conference for more information

   

IEEE Microwave Show

June 2-7, 2013 

 

The IEEE MTT International Microwave Symposium (IMS) is the premier international meeting for technologists involved in all aspects of microwave theory and practice.

 

Visit Valtronic in Booth 1517 where we will be showcasing our Glass Encapsulation Technology and featuring our complex microelectronic assemblies and box build capabilities. Take part in our Engineering Challenge and you could go home with a nice bottle of wine!

 

Visit the IEEE IMS website for more information.   

   

 

Europe

 
  

Implants Interlaken

22-23 April 2013 in Interlaken, Switzerland

  

The 2013 [MEET THE EXPERT] Implants is dedicated to experts

and people interested in the field of active and passive implants. The program includes expert talks as well as short presentations.

 

Valtronic will present "Glass Encapsulation in Intelligent Embedded Systems" on April 22nd at 16:10.

 

Challenges of active implant developments are often their electronic autonomy, their size and space restrictions. The active implant field needs to overcome today's limitations with new technologies such as glass encapsulation.


Visit Implants Interlaken for more information.

Medtec France  

15-16 May 2013 at Eurexpo Lyon, France    

Meet the decision-makers from the French-speaking medical industry.  More than 350 exhibitors showcasing services and solutions for the design and production of the complete range of medical devices.

 

Valtronic will present 

"Glass Encapsulation in Intelligent Embedded Systems" on Thursday May 16th at 15:45.

 

Challenges of active implant developments are often their electronic autonomy, their size and space restrictions. The active implant field needs to overcome today's limitations with new technologies such as glass encapsulation.


Visit Medtec France for more information.

MorningTalk
Valtronic Hosts the Medical Cluster's Morning Talk

6 June 2013
  
Les Charbonni�res 
Route de Bonport 2 
1343 Les Charbonni�res

Valtronic and the Medical Cluster welcome you to join us for a Tour of Valtronic's facilities as well as a presentation and forum with Martin Zimmermann, CEO. 

 

Tech Talk   

 

SeeingThroughGlassSeeing through Glass Encapsulation  

 

As announced in Company News Valtronic can now offer Glass Encapsulation which provides some definite advantages for electronic medical implants.  Some of these advantages include: 
  • Significant design freedom
  • High density feed-through reliability
  • Bioceramics and biograde glass possess a RF transparency advantage over metal enclosures 
  • Improved wireless communications
  • Glass encapsulation provides 100% hermeticity to the electronic board and all other components included in the system. 
  • Excellent alternative for long term implants    

To learn more download our new presentation on Active Implants: Glass Encapsulation. 

 

If you wish to speak to a Valtronic Representative regarding this new technology please e-mail [email protected].  

 

Partners 
 
Medical Cluster Bern 

 

   

The Medical Cluster is a network of Swiss manufacturers, suppliers, service providers, and research and development institutions in the value chain of medical technology.    In the past eight years the cluster grew steadily from 55 members to more than 360 companies today all offering a variety of expanded competences in the medical field. The Medical Cluster is a private organization with earnings from membership fees, services and project-related contributions from Swiss cantons. They organize  events, conferences, forums and other services helping companies and experts to meet and exchange information in order to foster new cooperation. For the first time in September 2012, the Cluster initiated the annual "World Medtech Forum Lucerne" an event whose purpose is to highlight Switzerland as a vital player in the worldwide medical industry.

   

Valtronic became an active member of Medical Cluster in the beginning of 2012 and has participated in several events organized by Medical Cluster such as: Morning Talks, Insight, Meet the Expert as well as the World Medtech Forum Lucerne.

On June 6th Valtronic will be hosting a Medical Cluster Morning Talk at our Facility in Switzerland providing an opportunity for all Cluster members to learn more about our capabilities.   Visit Morning Talk for more information. 

 

Visit Medical Cluster  

Visit World Medtech Forum Luzern

 

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