Smiths Interconnect expands Hypergrip connectors with medical edition
Offering a cost-effective design for standard cycle life applications, the Hypergrip Flex connectors by Smiths Interconnect are an extension to its Hypergrip connector series for the medical market.
Hypergrip is Smiths Interconnect’s patented and proven series of high reliability circular connectors specifically designed for the medical industry.
The company has expanded the series with the Hypergrip Flex. The connector is suitable for most medical applications including devices for patient monitoring, electrosurgical and endoscopic tools, catheters, home healthcare and portable therapeutic applications. It is designed to meet medical industry requirements such as finger-proofing to IEC60601, flammability rated to UL94 V0, and compliance with most sterilization methods.
According to Mark Kelleher, vice president and general manager of the connectors business unit at Smiths Interconnect, the keying system allows customers to build connectors with six different keyed versions of the same standard connector reducing lead time and inventory.
The Hypergrip Flex is equipped with high density MR screw machined contacts, manufactured by high speed turning process and tested and qualified to ensure:
It also has low level contact resistance (LLCR) compared to standard contacts available in the market, reports Smiths Interconnect. The design has a high density with 0.4 mm diameter socket contacts.
For smooth mating and de-mating, the connector has low insertion and extraction forces with low force reducing.
The MR contact provides industry standard cycle life of at least 2,000 cycles, for general medical applications. In addition it has a low cost of ownership, says Smiths Interconnect because the machined MR crimp contact allows for high volumes and lower costs with simplified “crimp and poke” assembly compared with traditional nested solder contacts.
The Hypergrip Flex is constructed using RoHS III-compliant materials.
Smiths Interconnect provides technically differentiated electronic components, subsystems, microwave, optical and radio frequency products that connect, protect and control critical applications in the commercial aviation, defence, space, medical, rail, semiconductor test, and industrial market segments.
Smiths Interconnect is part of Smiths Group, which specialises in technologies for threat and contraband detection, energy, medical devices, communications and engineered components.