What kind of medical devices are motors used in? Recommended products are also introduced.

Motor technology is constantly evolving, including miniaturization and quieter operation. Technological innovation has led to a wider range of applications for motors, medical equipment being one of them.

This article explains the specific cases in which motors are utilized in medical devices.

Examples of Motor Application to Medical Equipment

Here are some examples of how motors are used in medical equipment.

Note that there are various types of small motors.
 Please refer to the following article for more information on the types of small motors and their applications other than medical equipment.​​​​​​​
 Introduction of Applications and Main Types of Small Motors 

Surgical instruments

Pulse lavage, staplers, power tools, atherectomy catheters, and other surgical instruments use motors in their rotating and driving parts.

Surgery is a very delicate operation and requires motors that can be controlled with high precision.

In addition, since surgical instruments are sterilized at high temperatures and pressures by autoclave, durability under autoclave environment is also required for surgical instruments.

Brushless DC motors are recommended if you are looking for a motor for surgical instruments because of their high precision and durability.

Respiratory organs

Motors are also active in ventilators, CPAP, nebulizers, and other respiratory devices.

In medical ventilators, motors are used in components called "blowers" that regulate the timing and volume of inhalation. In order to provide adequate assistance with minimal patient strain, a blower that can deliver a large volume of oxygen and has an excellent ramp-up speed is required.

At the same time, there is a need for ventilators to be compact in terms of installation space savings and ease of operation. Brushless DC motors are also suitable for use in the blower of ventilators because of their compact size and high output.

Medical pump

Motors are also used in devices such as infusion pumps, dialysis machine pumps, and medical pumps such as electric injectors.

Because medical infusion pumps must accurately administer medication at a constant speed, a motor that can accurately control the rotational speed is essential.

In addition, pumps are used in dialysis machines, which are indispensable for kidney failure patients, in various processes such as dialysis, cleaning and disinfection of piping, and so on. Since each process requires a different motor speed, motors that can control the speed are required.

Inspection and Diagnostic Equipment

Inspection and diagnostic equipment such as MRIs, CTs, X-ray machines, biometric monitors, and electronic blood pressure monitors require motors to move pumps, fans, and drive units.

Air pumps are used in electronic blood pressure monitors, and motors are used to power the discharge.

Handpieces for dental treatment

Motors are also used in dental handpieces such as root canal treatment devices, implant treatment devices, and CADCAM.

In dental treatment, there are several factors that make patients feel uneasy, such as vibrations that resonate through the jawbone and the noise of rotating drills. In order to reduce patient anxiety and ensure safe treatment, motors for dental treatment equipment are designed to be quiet and to reduce vibration.

Recommended motors for medical equipment

Here, we introduce motors recommended for medical equipment from among Mabuchi Motor's products: in 2021, Electromag (now Mabuchi Electromag), a brushless motor manufacturer specializing in medical equipment applications such as ventilators and dental treatment handpieces, and in 2023, Oken Seiko (now Mabuchi Oaken), a company with high technological capabilities in small pumps, joined the group, enabling us to offer optimal proposals from a wide range of product lineups.

Surgical Instruments

Mabuchi Motor's motors for surgical instruments use proprietary technology to significantly reduce vibration, contributing to improved performance in medical equipment that requires high precision. They can be used in a wide variety of equipment, including pulse lavage, staplers, surgical power tools, and atherectomies.

▼An example of a motor suitable for surgical instruments

• RC-280SA
• RS-380SH
• RK-370CA
• IS-07NZA
• RS-380PH
• RS-555VC

For more information on the above products, please refer to the Brushless Motors for Medical Equipment catalog.

Ventilator

Mabuchi Motor is developing brushless DC motors for ventilators. The products we currently offer can handle a wide range of blower conditions such as pressure and flow characteristic requirements.

▼An example of a motor suitable for a ventilator

• IN-M4NMA
• IS-016MA
• IS-04NMA
• IS-07NZA
• IS-106MA

For more information on the above products, please refer to the Brushless Motors for Medical Equipment catalog.

Medical pump

In the field of medical pumps, Mabuchi Motor's products are used in the products of various customers in Japan and abroad. In recent years, Mabuchi Motor has been supplying not only motors alone, but also pump units that are quiet, longevity, and capable of high-pressure discharge.

▼An example of a motor suitable for a medical pump

• FF-130SH-14230
• FF-050SB-11170

For more information on the above products, please visit our Medical Applications page.

Inspection and Diagnostic Equipment

Mabuchi Motor also offers a lineup of pump units, enabling us to provide optimal products to customers who are developing blood pressure monitors for medical use. Mabuchi Motor also responds to a variety of other needs in inspection and diagnostic equipment.

▼An example of a motor suitable for inspection and diagnostic equipment

• RF-370CA-12560
• RF-370CA-15370

For more information on the above products, please visit our Medical Applications page.

Dental Treatment Equipment

From 2021, we are adding motors for dental treatment equipment to our lineup to better meet the needs of our customers.

▼An example of a motor suitable for dental treatment equipment

• IN-M4NMA
• IS-04NMA

For more information on the above products, please visit our Medical Applications page.

summary

This article has described the following information on motors for medical devices.

• Examples of Motor Application to Medical Devices
• Recommended motors for medical equipment

Motors are now used in rotating parts of surgical instruments, medical pumps, and various other medical devices, supporting the lives of people around the world. Since the appropriate motor depends on what type of equipment and for what application, it is important to select the right motor for the application.

Mabuchi Motor products can be used in various medical devices other than those introduced in this article. Please feel free to contact us for consultation on the appropriate motor for your needs.

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