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VCA Technology Enables Ultrasound Elastography

Product News Thursday, March 5, 2015: BEI Kimco

VISTA, Calif, − March 3, 2015 – BEI Kimco Magnetics has risen to the challenge of meeting the demanding requirements for an ultrasound elastography application using voice coil actuator (VCA) technology.  Elastography is a painless and non-invasive medical imaging technique that measures the elasticity of tissue to provide diagnostic information about the presence or status of disease.  It functions by vibrating the underlying tissue through mechanical excitation to propagate shear waves. These waves can then be measured to assess - for example, liver tissue elasticity - aiding in the diagnosis of various stages of liver fibrosis. This method of mechanical vibration has proven particularly more effective in evaluating tissue stiffness of obese patients over other ultrasound elastography technologies.

With elastography emerging as an advanced and very cost effective diagnostic tool, medical manufacturers are seeking ways to incorporate VCA technology into standard ultrasound probe designs. The resulting probe would enable practitioners to switch from ultrasound imaging to elastography as required.    

Key to the product’s design specification was a device that would deliver a high force in frequencies up to 75Hz in a small enough size to mount onto the manufacturer’s existing ultrasound probe.  Solenoids and other technologies were too slow to meet the frequency requirements.    

BEI Kimco’s miniature linear voice coil actuator, LA10-08-000A, proved to be the right solution.  It not only provides the 75Hz frequency, but also easily fits within the compact footprint, with measurements of merely 1” in diameter and 0.8” in length.  In addition, it packs a punch with a peak force of 6.67 Newtons. 

“The capabilities demonstrated by our linear VCA in this application open up new possibilities of innovation for the medical industry,” says Scott Best, BEI Kimco Midwest Regional Sales Manager.  “A small device that provides a strong force in a very consistent, high speed manner can be used in many types of medical equipment, such as ventilators, probes, blood analyzers and lab equipment.” 

For further information contact BEI Kimco Magnetics, 1499 Poinsettia Ave., Suite 160, Vista, CA  92081, USA, Tel: (760) 597-7042; Toll-free: (800) 572-7560; Fax: (760) 597-6320; email: sales@beikimco.com;  www.beikimco.com

 

About BEI Kimco Magnetics

BEI Kimco Magnetics specializes in the design and manufacture of high performance rotary and linear motion components, including Brushless DC Motors and Voice Coil Actuators.  These products are designed for applications where performance, precision, and reliability are critical.  Using proprietary magnetic design methodologies, BEI Kimco Magnetics has the ability to produce custom, cost efficient products within multiple manufacturing locations.  BEI Kimco Magnetics is a leader in medical, industrial, aerospace & defense markets.

BEI Kimco Magnetics is a brand of Custom Sensors & Technologies (CST).

www.beikimco.com

 

About CST

Custom Sensors & Technologies (CST) is a specialist in designing and manufacturing sensing, control and motion products.

Through its brands, BEI Kimco, BEI Sensors, BEI PSSC, Crouzet, Crydom, Kavlico, Newall and Systron Donner Inertial, CST offers customizable, reliable and efficient components for mission-critical systems in Aerospace & Defense, Transportation, Energy & Infrastructure, Medical, Food and Beverage and Building Equipment markets.

Focused on premium value offers and committed to excellence, CST, with 4.400 employees worldwide and sales of $590M US in 2014, is the dependable and adaptable partner for the most demanding customers.

www.cstsensors.com