Medical electronics: emphasizing practical, low-cost equipment

Article Abstract:

Japanese electronics firms have emphasized medical electronics technologies a step or two back from the leading edge, and electronics firms in other Asian countries lag even further behind. This may be a benefit in future markets, however, as Western countries turn increasingly to simple, low-cost products as a result of the current health care cost crisis. The Japanese share of medical product imports to the US increased from 18 to 24 percent between 1980 and 1990, while Germany's share dropped from 35 to 25 percent over the same period. US medical technology exports increased from $1.9 billion to $6.5 billion in the 1980s, but US and European manufacturers are increasingly entering into joint ventures with Japanese medical manufacturers. This provides them with entry into the Japanese health care market, now the second largest in the world, and with products for new markets in their own countries. The Japanese medical electronics industry is described.

Electromedical equipment, Japan, Electronics, Biomedical laboratories, International markets, Industry Analysis, Market Analysis, Manufacturers, Medical Laboratories, Health Care, Instruments, World Market

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Global standards

Article Abstract:

Difficulties in developing common standards and test procedures are minor compared to the economic benefits to be gained from a unified Europe. Europeans are environmentally conscious and have much tighter regulations than in the US and Japan. There is some concern that standards may be used as a subtle way to keep products from foreign countries out of Europe. There are two major benefits to common standards: manufacturers can sell one product to all 12 European Community countries, minimizing production and development costs, and computer systems, communications, and transportation systems will be able to interface with one another throughout the 12 EC countries. Compliance with standards will be voluntary for many products since the standards are only for product conformance. The strictest standards are those for protecting health, safety and the environment. Products in these areas will be subject to certification and testing.

Europe, Standard, Standardization, International trade, European Economic Community

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Superconductivity: Fact vs. fancy

Article Abstract:

In Mar, 1988, a team of IBM-Almaden researchers developed a ceramic of thorium, barium, calcium, copper and Oxygen which superconducts at 125 K, a jump of 95 degrees K warmer in less than two years. This breakthrough does not necessarily mean room-temperature superconducting is imminent or that it will usher in an era of flying trains and massive power transmission lines operating at near 100 percent efficiency. Low superconducting critical current density or superconductor material brittleness could still halt the superconductivity bandwagon.

Technology, Ceramics, Superconducting devices, Future Technologies, Superconductive Devices

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