Gamma-Radiation-Resistant Memory Provides Calibration and Protects from Unsanitary Reuse in Medical Disposables

SAN JOSE, Calif., May 27, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Maxim Integrated Products, Inc. (NASDAQ: MXIM) makes it easy to calibrate a consumable medical sensor and to monitor or control unsanitary reuse of medical disposables with the DS28E80 gamma-radiation-resistant, nonvolatile (NV) 1-Wire® memory.

• Details for DS28E80: http://www.maximintegrated.com/en/products/digital/memory-products/DS28E80.html
• Maxim's gamma sterilization solution: http://www.maximintegrated.com/en/products/comms/one-wire/gamma-sterilization.html
• DS28E80 hi-res image: http://www.maximintegrated.com/en/company/newsroom/graphics/img/DS28E80_PR_graphic_image_rgb.tif
• DS28E80 schematic: http://www.maximintegrated.com/en/company/newsroom/graphics/img/DS28E80_rgb.tif

Gamma radiation sterilization is typically used on single-use disposable medical sensors and consumables because the method is predictable, reliable, faster to process, and usable across a wide array of product materials and packaging types. But, gamma radiation is incompatible with traditional floating-gate memory technologies used in semiconductors because gamma's high-ionizing radiation erases the memory. The new DS28E80 NV memory, however, is resistant to gamma radiation up to 75kGy (kilo gray). With flexible programming options, it allows OEMs to factory calibrate their sensors, tools, and accessories to their host medical instrument in the field. It can be used to monitor or even prevent unsanitary reuse of a disposable medical sensor and consumables. It operates over the company's trusted 1-Wire interface, so consumable manufacturers can replace multiple cumbersome cables with a single contact.

Key Advantages

• Manufacturing calibration: OEMs can automatically detect and calibrate sensors and accessories to ensure quality
• Usage tracking: guards against incorrect attachment and warns or prevents unsanitary reuse of consumables
• Embedded identification: embedded 1-Wire protocol provides unalterable 64-bit factory-assigned serial ID which allows for tracking and can prevent usage of unauthorized consumables
• Reprogrammable: 248 bytes of user memory organized in 8-byte blocks
• Permanent write protection: flexible per-block options for use memory

Commentary

• "By using Gamma, we typically see a reduction in cycle time of around two weeks from our manufacturing plant to distribution centers," said Patrick Weizman, Chief Engineer at Ethicon Endo-Surgery. "Gamma sterilization reduces cost and simplifies the process for less rework and shorter cycle times."
• "We know that gamma radiation has historically been incompatible with NV memory technologies, but for some single-use medical applications gamma radiation may be the preferred method for sterilization," said Nathan Sharp, Business Manager at Maxim Integrated. "So we designed an NV memory that resists the radiation, connects to a host medical device simply, and then reliably monitors or prevents reuse of the consumable. It's all as simple as its 1-Wire interface."

Availability

• The DS28E80 is specified over the -40-degree Celsius to +85-degree Celsius temperature range.
• A DS28E80EVKIT evaluation (EV) kit is available.
• Pricing is available upon request.

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About Maxim Integrated

Maxim is the leader in analog integration. From mobile to industrial solutions, we're making analog smaller, smarter, and more energy efficient. Learn more at http://www.maximintegrated.com.  

Contact: Ferda Millan
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SOURCE Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.

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