From diagnostics and treatment to therapeutic equipment, medical grade cable assemblies are inevitably used. They form an essential component when it comes to the assembly of laboratory analysis equipment, imaging systems, surgical and medical instrumentation, dental lab equipment, and diagnostic apparatuses, among several others. Medical cable solutions are available with specialized features such as steam sterilization soaker caps used to withstand chemical sterilization, sealed connectors for wet applications, and high voltage for isolation applications.
Taking into consideration the demands of the medical industry, cable assembly manufacturers execute rigorous testing prior to shipping the product to the customer. This blog enlists several testing methods conducted when assembling medical grade cable assemblies.
Types of Electrical and Mechanical Tests Pertaining to Medical Cable Assemblies
When it comes to assembling wiring harnesses for the medical industry, the following tests are conducted to ensure product quality.
Electrical tests include:
- High Voltage Testing
- Insulation Testing
- Pressure Testing
- Micro Section Testing
- Crimp Testing
- Pin Assignment Testing
- Length Testing
- Function Testing
- Component Testing
- Propagation Delay Measurements
Mechanical and thermal tests include:
- Drag Chain
- Torsion
- Flex Cycle
- Customer-Specific Function
The aforementioned tests are done to ensure the following:
- The cable solutions are assembled in compliance with required specifications.
- They exhibit desired electrical and optical properties for use in demanding medical environments.
- They are manufactured by incorporating specialized requirements of the customer.
- Designed and manufactured in compliance with international quality standards.
- They perform exceptionally well in elevated temperature ranges.
- They can withstand chemical sterilization and other harsh fluids and solutions.
Cable Assemblies – A Must-Have Component in Medical Devices
Cable assemblies for medical devices must be built to withstand demanding conditions in the application areas. The final assembly should meet the specifications, performance criteria, and exacting standards, as specified by the customer. The use of poor quality assembly not only affects the performance of the medical apparatus, but also leads to unexpected catastrophe, claiming lives and damaging properties. By stringently testing the assemblies, manufacturers can assess the overall performance, helping deliver only those assemblies that meet the highest quality standards.