Videosignals within the framework of a Endoscopy with a 360-degree swivelling camera, Power or current for swivelling Surgical lights without shadows or live transmission for teleoperation. And these are just a few examples of areas of application for our Slip rings and rotating unions in hospitals and doctors’ surgeries.
Because medical technology is on the move, both proverbially and literally. Position data and patient data are transmitted live to central management platforms for live analysis and checking of availabilities, e.g. of hospital beds or mobile ultrasound devices. Smart hospital beds monitor patients’ health live and transmit vital data to central software platforms, and more and more surgical robots can also be controlled remotely. Operating theatre software enables smart workflows and live analyses in the OR based on databases full of patient data and empirical values from previous interventions, thus reducing costs and potential errors. In addition, AIs can support movement processes.
But the basis for all these smart solutions is reliable signal, data and power transmission between rotating and stationary components. For example, the exact coordinates of the brain regions affected by Parkinson’s, as well as the necessary needle depth and angle, must be transmitted to swivelling or rotating surgical tools, which were previously determined with the help of a CT and MRI. This is the only way, for example, that the aiming arm on the stereotactic ring can provide data-based support for the implantation of a brain pacemaker without having to manually set the determined values such as angle and depth for the implantation of the electrodes in the brain. In the future, AI can thus help to avoid errors.
Slip rings and rotary feedthroughs can therefore be found everywhere in modern clinics – from the large slip ring of the computer tomograph, to the Capsulated Slip Rings in the roles of a hospital bed or a video endoscope. Because not only data and signals are in motion, but also the hospital staff and the medical equipment itself. The ability to swivel lights and surgical tools, the castors on mobile examination equipment and beds, or doctors and nurses themselves who want to quickly check a patient’s data or the availability of a device while on the move are what make efficient and flexible workflows in hospitals possible in the first place. And whenever something is in motion, slip rings and rotary unions are not far away.
Where are slip rings used in medical technology?
- MRT & CT
- Blood sampling and fluid analysis
- Smart monitored hospital beds
- Swivelling surgical lights and surgical tools, if necessary with monitors (4K)
- Telerobot or teleoperation / medical robot
- Endoscopies
- Data transmission to patient management systems
- Operating theatre software for documentation and surgical workflows
- Ventilation & UV sterilisation in the operating theatre
- Medical centrifuges
Advantages of our slip rings for medical technology
- Advanced fibre brush technology for minimal abrasion, increasing life to 30 million revolutions or three years
- Various hybrid solutions for video signals (HD-SDI, 4K), USB, fieldbus, Ethernet, fibre optics or optical channels for high-speed data transmission via axis-independent and EMC-insensitive channels with up to 10 Gbit/s
- Gold-to-gold and silver-to-silver contacts, but also special solutions are possible
- Various mounting options
- Various sizes / inner diameters and housings
- Freely selectable cable lengths
- EMI shielding of analogue, digital and HF signals possible
- Customised special designs even for small quantities
- Individual cable routing
The various rotarX slip ring series are optimised for a wide range of applications. We support our customers for tailor-made solutions. All products can be individually adapted to the applications in order to offer you added value. Premium Engineering Slip Ring Solutions.
Do you already know our configurator?
Slip rings for MRI & CT
Slip rings for CT and MRI can have an internal diameter of up to two metres. To enable reliable, fast and contactless transmission of image and bus data, frequently Slip rings without housing used on which the sensor of the tomograph slides.
The greatest challenge is that the best possible results in resolution, data security and speed, as well as the transmission of data, image signals and power, must be combined in just one device or slewing ring. Precise work, experience and the rethinking of every component and its individual function are the basis and absolutely crucial here. Because unreliable data transmission or image transmission means that, in case of doubt, incorrect diagnoses and treatment decisions could be made. Our experience in the field of medical technology, the modular design of all our slip rings and rotary joints, as well as the constant exchange with all our customers enables us to guarantee the highest precision, highest data rates and absolute reliability for MRI and CT rotary joints. Together with our team of experts, we configure individual solutions for every purpose in consultation with you. You can also send us precise enquiries via our slip ring configurator – the ideal basis for finding an efficient solution.
Slip rings without housing
Inner diameter
Brush holder
Ring carrier with wiring
Smart hospital beds for live monitoring on the move
The ability to check blood pressure, heart rate and other patient data at any time while on the move is elementary for modern hospitals. Doctors and nurses must always be able to keep an eye on their patients’ state of health, if necessary, without having to stand at the bedside or take a look at the classic paper medical record. In addition, the hospital bed can communicate whether it is occupied or not and where it is located, which makes logistics and finding a suitable hospital bed for new patients much easier for the management. Work is also being done on solutions or sensors that communicate the technical condition and cleaning needs of a bed. Since many follow-up processes of a ward or clinic are linked to the bed occupancy, the smart hospital bed an enormous relief for the hospital staff is the case. For example, the so-called manual Midnight statistics superfluous if the beds communicate their occupancy and position themselves. But in order to be able to track all this data, data transmission to a management software is necessary. For example, miniature slip rings can be installed in the rollers of the hospital bed. Here it is important that these have a Particularly high IP protection class have them so that they are not damaged when the hospital bed is cleaned in the washing facility. On request, we can supply slip rings up to protection class IP69K. It offers protection for High-pressure cleaning at a short distance and withhot water.
Encapsulated miniature slip rings
Housing material selection options
Individual mounting holes
Adjustment options on the rotor
Axial or radial cable outlet
Slip rings for the spring arm of swivelling operating theatre luminaires
Flexibility and freedom of movement are enormously important in the operating room. Whether swivelling surgical tools or swivelling robotic arms, or the familiar Operating theatre lights with spring arm (support arm luminaires) – Control signals, data and, of course, power must be constantly transmitted between stationary and rotating components in the OR. In this way, for example, shadowing can be avoided.
The suspension of the surgical lights is provided by the spring arm, which isbetween cantilever arm and cardanic is installed. In this way, the support arm luminaire can be rotated, but also still be height-adjusted at the bottom and top. The spring arm is primarily responsible for height positioning here and its size varies according to the planned load-bearing capacity, i.e. the size of the operating theatre luminaire. The slender design accordingly requires a high load-bearing capacity with a small diameter, which also reduces the Permissible diameter of the slip rings used limited. Nevertheless, these must achieve a high power density. The small dimensioning of the slip rings also enables improved transmission of today’s standard signal slip rings. CAN bus and SD video signals. Here, for example, the HD-SDI Slip rings for a combined transmission of power, control signals and video signals.
HD-SDI Slip Rings
HDMI connections for quick installation
Hybrid slip ring with multiple connections
Various interfaces for data
Different housing materials to choose from
FORJs and Ethernet slip rings for teleoperation & the hospital of the future
Modern Operating theatre tool with AI assistance makes it possible to assist with movements and improve precision. In addition, robots are expected to take over more and more routine work in the future that would otherwise tie up valuable human resources. Thus there are already robotic laboratory lines or a Digitally controlled drug dispensing. In the future Service-Roller also take on heavy physical tasks in care and assist with the localisation of mobile medical devices.
Live monitoring of vital signs is also crucial and makes it possible, so to speak, for important patient data not only to be documented in real time, but also to be analysed. This can be done, for example, through wearables and smart hospital beds. In the context of machine-to-machine communication (Industry 4.0 / IoT), this data can then be sent to networked medical technology which reacts accordingly. And all this without putting any additional strain on patients or staff. But as soon as the networked medical technology swivels or rotates, slip rings or rotary joints are required to transmit the data and signals. Especially in the Robotics, but also for all rotating technology, e.g. medical centrifuges, devices for blood or fluid analysis or CTs, it is therefore crucial that the generated data can be transmitted at high speed and safely between rotating and stationary components.
The most important basis for the smart hospital of the future is therefore the electronic patient file. This is linked to intelligent interfaces and a network for telemedicine that makes the data available in a secure way and enables real-time exchange. In addition, medical technology must be equipped with Bluetooth and WiFi functions to ensure networking and enable interaction.
Fibre optic rotary transducers (FORJ / Glass fibre slip rings) are optimal here. They are light, space-saving, almost maintenance-free and can transmit data at the highest speeds. Since transmission via fibre optic cables moreover, no brush rubs on the slip ring any more, the service life is significantly longer. Whereas conventional slip rings have a service life of approx. 30,000,000 revolutions, glass fibre slip rings have a service life of up to 200.000.000 Revolutions.
Within the framework of the Teleoperation transmission can also be carried out with the help of Ethernet-Slip rings as data transmission via cable within a local area network (LAN) may be required in sensitive areas.
Ethernet Slip Rings
Housing material Ethernet slip rings
Ethernet cable with RJ45 connector
Type Ethernet Slip Rings
Power and Ethernet
Various interfaces for data
Hybrid multi-channel rotary unions for laboratory & pharmaceutical industry
Already today, smaller Laboratory sections in clinics have been fully automated with the help of robotics. In the future, this automation will continue to increase. At the same time, the analysed laboratory values, for example from blood and urine tests, must be stored in the electronic patient file in real time if possible. This speeds up diagnoses and success checks of previous treatment decisions enormously. To achieve this, centrifuges and other devices for fluid testing must be enabled to reliably transmit the determined laboratory values via the network. And whenever, in addition to signals and power, fluids also have to be transmitted between two rotating, or a rotating and a stationary, component Rotating unions come into play. Classic rotating unions are only suitable for the passage of various liquids and media such as gas or compressed air. For the smart clinic of the future Hybrid electric rotary unions needed, which the Combining transmission of media, power and data can be used. The decisive factor is that the different media in a multi-channel turntable can be clearly distinguished from each other.
In addition, in the field of medical technology, they must be especially suitable for use in clean rooms. Thus, rotating unions can sometimes also be used for the Drug dispensing or for Anaesthesia systems be used. The various seals and materials available from us are suitable for the highest demands and enable a reliable and combined Transmission of media such as gas, emulsions, bases, acids, oil, water or vacuum, as well as signals and data.
Similar requirements – especially the separation of different media such as emulsions, water or chemicals – also apply in the manufacture of pharmaceutical products and in the chemical industry. Here, too, hybrid rotating unions play an important role.
Advantages of our rotating unions:
- High plant availability
- No component change necessary when using different media
- Combined systems of rotating union, slip ring and FORJ enable space and cost savings, as well as a significant reduction in maintenance effort
- Depending on the model and sealing rings, our rotating unions enable the transmission of media with a pressure of up to 1,300 bar
Hybrid pneumatic/liquid + electric
Different housing materials to choose from
Various connection sizes for media feedthroughs
Radial holes for media connections in the stator
Axial bores for media connections in the rotor
Product catalogue for all slip rings
Find out about the different slip rings in our current overview. Transmission technology for complex industrial and safety-relevant applications form the core of our product range. All products can be individually adapted to the applications in order to offer you added value. Premium engineering - that is our claim for every single product we manufacture. We would like to convince you of this.
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